Evening bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1895-1912, 1902-09-15
PETER LEE IS OUT
FOR BANANA TRADE

Peter Lee came back from san FRAN
cisco an enthusiast over the possibili-
ties of the banana trade. He has form
ed the best Of connections In San Fran
cisco and will devote his whole energies
to upbuilding of the banana growing
industry in the District Of Hilo.
Mr.. Lee Is prepared to pay better
prices for bananas than have ever been
offered here before. It is cash at
the wharf" system. The planter takes
no risk Of fruit spelling in transit. The
punches must be big ones. They must
be cut two weeks before ripening be-
gins and the punches must be packed
properly with dry leaves. For such
bananas Mr.. Lee will pay 80 cents per
bunch weighing 40 pounds and every
pound additional he will pay Ia cents.
This rate gives the grower rs cents for
a 6O-pound bunch. Mr.. Lee will at
once put in thirty or forty acres OF
bananas in olaa and from his invesii-
cations in the San Francisco market.
he has no fear that overproduction In
the Hilo district Is possible.
an San Francisco" says Mr.. Lee, 81
found that the Hilo banana was rated
by all dealers, from the commission
firms and wholesale houses to the da-
Cos on the street, as superior to those
lof Panama, New Orleans, Honolulu or
lany other source. The Hilo banana
has a flavor that gives II the right OF
way In the market at higher prices
than will be paid for other bananas. I
have gone into this banana business
because II opens up for the majority OF
the land owners in our district such
lsure road to prosperity. ! went
Through the commission houses at San
Francisco in the interest of the Hawa-
iian banana growers. found them all
willing to handle our stun on the old
basis OF 10 per cent. | told them we
must have better arrangement. When
II called at the house of Porter Bros,
II found a firm that will lead us out of
the wilderness. | told them we want
ed cash on the wharf at Hilo and we
wanted a good stiff price. They had a
talk with Captain VIM. Matson about
me and when saw them the next day
they were ready to make Hilo most
fiattering terms. | am authorized by
Porter Bros. to pay cash for good well
packed bananas. Porter Bros. allow
me to pay what my judgment approves
They know I'm a planter and intend
working for the planters. They be-
lieve, however. that this arrangement;
will be the beginning OF great indus
try here and a fine shipping trade be
tween Hilo and San Francisco. Porter
Bros. run all the risks in the shippini
and propose to see that only frs
class fruit Is sent. can care for 2O0'
punches at once. Captain VIM. Mat
son will help the industry along II
every way In his power. He proposes
to put on the Enterprise additional ia
cilities for handling banana ship
] ments.
IL believe In one year. II the peopl
will take advantage of this opportunity
that Hilo bananas will be famou
Throughout the Pacific Coast and tina
our productive capacity will not begil
Ito equal the demand. Everybod.
should remember that already in Sal
Francisco Hilo bananas are counte'
the best in the market, but when the
are badly packed they are considere
1.-THE worst.
81 do not want any small punches.
recommend that people through tn
district go into banana raising. TIL
proper connections have been made I
insure a certain market at good prices
II propose also" said Mr.. Lee,
make shipments Of pineapples and ALI
gator pears. Alligator pears retail 4
1.-THE market at so cents each. | kno'
they can be shipped for | received
box that came in good condition an
the fruit kept nicely for twelve days |
San Francisco"
Mr.. Lee would be glad to hear b
letter from any who are interested
banana growing.-Hilo Tribune.