The Hawaiian gazette., 1905-04-25

see something Of the visitors on their
way home.
Surgeon General wyman stated to-
day that he had written Governor Car
ter that he intends to visit the islands.
probably early in June.
RURAL FREE DELIVERY.
Postmaster General Cortelyou has
considered the question of installing
rural free delivery in Hawaii and the
Philippines. The matter has not reach
ed any definite stage yet but the Post
master General is somewhat friendly
to the idea. Probably his preference
would be to install routes first in Ha-
wall as the people there have strong
er claim to consideration than the peo-
pie of the Philippines. Some months
ago an application for rural free deliv-
cry in the islands was turned down.
The present attitude of the new Post
master General, however, should be
noted by people of Hawaiian commu-
mites who want rural delivery. 1t might
not be amiss for them to forward petit
tons here asking for the establish
ment os routes
The present arrangement in the De-
partment is for applications to be act
ed upon in the order they are made:
II is rare that routes are established
except for 100 houses or more, located
on country roads within distance or
approximately 20 miles. Inspectors of
rural free delivery are assigned to the
investigation of applications for the
establishment of routes.
The advantages of the service to peo-
pie residing in the country are conced-
ed. although the service is hedged
about by strict regulations. The carrier
passes once a day, delivering as well
as collecting mail. The Department
has well defined plans for the erection
of mail boxes along the main line OF
/ travel. that facilitates this work. Be
cause of the general intelligence of the
Hawaiian people and the ability OF
nearly all the people to read and write,
rural routes should prosper and prob
ably could be maintained at compara-
lively small expense. There is no cost
to the patrons of a route for the free
delivery service 1t is entirely a gratu-
ity on the part of the government,
which has to bear whatever extra ex-
pense there happens to be.
/
GUATEMALA COFFEE.
A report from Consul General Alfred
A. Winslow. at Guatemala City. Qua
temala, dated January 2l on the Qua
tamala Coffee crop of 1904 has just
reached the Department of Commerce
and Labor. 1t says:
"The quality is well up to the aver
age. In the Santa Maria belt the
quantity and quality of the crop far
exceeded the yield for many years
past. This was the result of the vol
canic eruption October a. 1902 by
which ashes were spread over wide
area 3 feet to inches deep. At first
| the deposit was reported to have ruin
ed the country for many years, but 1t
proved to be a blessing in disguise.
The coffee trees in this belt are much
more vigorous than heretofore, and the
crop prospects are bright for what
seemed to be a desert waste.
"The prices paid for Guatemala cof-
fee are very good, and in general the
finqueros are coming out this yeai
about as in former years. notwith
standing the higher wages paid and the
export tax of 1 cent per pound.
THE crop this year will reach very
nearly 100000 quintals G0,700,000 lbs.)
of which the United States will get a
greater portion than usual, and more
of the higher grades"
ERNEST C. WALKER.