The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1909-12-21

The past week has been devoid OF
sensations in business circles, the most
important event being the arrival from
the Azores of the steamship Swanley
bringing s74 immigrants to Hawaii. Big
business was conspicuous by its alb
sence, though, OF course, retail business
is brisk just at present on account OF
the approach of the Christmas holidays
But the very reason for the increase
in retail business transacted is the
cause of the falling off in larger trans
actions. Commercial men are, appa-
rently, waiting until the beginning of
the new year before going very heavi-
ly into large deals.
The arrival of the immigrant ship
proved at once a source of satisfaction
and disappointment. The labor bureau
and the planters are glad of the in
crease of possible laborers, but are
greatly disappointed both in the num-
Der and quality of the additions to the
population of the Territory. Special
Agent Campbell insists that the ex-
pertinent is not to be regarded in the
light of failure, but he finds some
very probable that no further attempts
will be made for some time to come
to recruit labor in the Azores, as the
field seems to have been pretty well
exhausted of desirable immigrants.
Some of The Portuguese who arrived on
the Swanley have applied to the plan
tations for work, but large number
of them show tendency to remain in
the city and try to make their living
by working at their trades and in other
ways.
Porto Rican Labor.
Tt is understood that the planters,
undeterred by the comparative failure
of the last experiment in that line,
are considering sending to Porto Rico
to try to recruit immigrants from that
Territory. AS they do not need to
work through the territorial labor Blu.
reau to get 1aborers from Porto Rico
and consequently are not obliged to &C.
count to the public for the money ex'
pended, the decision as to whether OF
not this course is to be pursued prob.
ably rests largely with the planters
themselves.
Lanai Cotton.
Prospects appear to be that the La
mai cotton scheme will be worked out
satisfactorily. Frank Thompson, one of
the hui that has purchased the island
of Lanai, leaves by the Korea tomor-
row for the Coast, and he states that
he expects to work on the proposition
in San Francisco and may go on to New
York with the same object in view.
His primary object in going East, how
ever, he says, is to argue the John
Wynne case before the United States
Supreme Court in January.
Lighthouse Depot.
1t is stated that the federal author.
tiles are looking for a site for a light
house depot and supply station, to cost
over 100000. This will probably be
located somewhere on the waterfront,
and the authorities will in all prob
ability condemn that land for the site.
Slump in Stocks.
There was a very decided slump in
nearly all stocks quoted on the ex-
ume of business transacted was com
paratively small. Toward the end of
the week, particularly, the market was
very weak, and an offer of five or ten
shares of any valuable stock was
enough to cause a sudden shrinkage in
prices.
As matter of fact, most of the
offerings were made by people who had
to have money and were willing TO
sacrifice their holdings to get it, while
the buyers were reluctant, and most of
them were men who coald afford to take
advantage of the needs of sellers and
obtain good bargains. There was no
stock that was in demand, and in al
most every instance where there was
more than one sale recorded during the
week, the prices Were on descending
scale.
This condition, however, is regarded
ms being only temporary and due to
the approach of the Christmas holidays
rather than TO any real shrinkage in
values.
Stock Exchange TO Close.
Beginning the end of next week, the
stock exchange will be closed until
January 3. This is the vacation which
was not taken last summer, During the
middle months business was so brisk
that the members of the exchange
thought they really could not afford to
close up, and the vacation was post.
poned until winter.
TO List Hilo Extension.
The lllo RalrOnd Company has filed
an application with the listing commit,
tee Of the Stock aud Bond change 10
have IN Ilil0 railroad extension stock
llsted, aud the stocks viii probably ba
pnt on the let today or Monday. Tho
prize AZ which the stock viii be oaer'
ed h 90
ionnideruhle intenst h helna taken
locally 10 rpnpg Valley, The san Fran,
rlsro water Nofht stock, Yesterday a
ldfal business hDuse received d cable
fun The hay tiiy, adylting IL 10 buy
hplinR Valley This b iafen here ~
indifaiing ihat ihe san lIaueitfO supor,
i. III