The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1902-10-08
SMUGGLING JEWELS
INTO HONOLULU
DIAMONDS AND PEARLS BROUGHT
FROM COLONIES WITHOUT PAY
ING TRIBUTE TO UNCLE SAM.

The police have reason to believe that
extensive diamond and pearl snug
Cling is being done in these islands.
The precious stones are being brought
into this port by way of the Sydney
steamships. So far as is known now
there is but one person engaged in the
work. 1t is possible however that he
may have others assisting him.
There has been extensive smuggling
of diamonds and pearls into this port
for some time past" said a we'll known
police officer today. The game has
been highly successful and from what
can learn, the man who is at work is
making a handsome profit from the job.
The principal thing smuggled is dia-
monds but quite a number of pearls
have been brought in too. The reason
for the diamonds being smugg4ed in
greater quantity than the pearls, is be-
cause there is a greater demand for dia-
monds than for pearls. There is a duty
of 60 per cent charged by the American
customs 50 if a man can succeed in
smuggling the stones past the inspec-
tors, he can make handsome profit by
underselling the legitimate dealer. The
jewels are brought, cut and polished
ready for the retail trade. They are
not set however
so far as l can learn there is only
has already made couple of trips to
Hilo, [ am informed. The plan pur-
sued in getting rid of the diamonds is
to dispose of them to the trade for holi-
day goods. The stuff has not been dis
posed of solely to Hilo people but is all
over the islands.
THE Customs officials have suspected
that there was some sort of smuggling
| game going on in which this particular
! I,t1t arn off nn
the exact character of his game. They
! figure that he is at work on some opium
smuggling deal but they are entirely
| wrong. He is working the diamonds
and pearls past them and it is a far
! more profitable business than opium
, smuggling.
1T is a wonder to me that there has
not been more smuggling of precious
stones into this port. 1t is very easy
! for person to smuggle almost any
quantity of jewels from any steamer
that comes into this port, No body
is ever searched and as these jewels can
be carried in small packages, the eva
sion could be affected without trouble
%~-~~-%%>-~-%-%*%-~-%
gone through in that form had not F.
NJ. Swanzy presented another view OF
/ it.
"If the Chamber feels like Investigate
ing and refuting these statements made
by Mr. Humphreys and Mr. Wilcox, OF
course it has the right to do So" sait
Mr.. SwanZy But COR my own part
do not think it at all necessary.
think those statements are their owr
refVtatiop The charges that bat
food is furnished by the merchants
and sent by the Board of Health, stanC
out as falsehoods. 1 do not think tina
anyone believes the charges. 1t Il
therefore not necessary, though o
course the Chamber may deem it wise
to appoint a committee to investigate
what no one believes"
Mr. Swanzy concluded by offering I
simple resolution briefly stating tn
fact that such charges had been mad
and declaring the confidence of tn
Chamber of Commerce in the presiden
and members of the Board of Health.
This resolution after some discussion
was adopted. On motion of w. M
Giffard the secretary was instruct
ed to forward a copy to the Board o
Health and to the Senatorial Commits
sion.