The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1909-12-19

II anyone remains uneonvinced that
Hawaii is a good place to live in, the
actual paradise of the Paciie,' let
him glance over the annual report of
the Governor to the secretary of the
interior. The report is out today and
even the necessity of reducing the pros
perity of the past twelve months to
statistics has been unable to cover up
all the things for which this Territory
and the people Of the Territory have
to be grateful.
Good crops, decreased public debt,
sens. legislation outweighing the
nonsensical, no epidemics, more ships,
more railroads, better harbors, better
wireless and telephone systems, good
prospects of Improvements in the land
laws. more public works, better bust
ness, more complete recognition OF the
value Of the Islands to the Union and
growth in population, are some of the
things spoken of, a remarkable years
record of growth and prosperity.
Hawaii has not everything necessary
for her complete satisfaction, OF course,
and the Governor touches on some OF
these.
s'The passenger accommodations are
still excessively inadequate, he re-
ports ''There is urgent need OF relief
through action by congress.
The land laws need the further at
fentjou of congress and the reciama-
ton act should be extended to the Ter
ritory and there are few other kinks
in the Organic Act that need straigh-
3ening out.
Portions of the report follow:
Importance More Apparent.
The Importance of Hawaii s midpa-
cific position, from a national and an
international standpoint, for military
and commercial purposes IS constantly
becoming more apparent and more gen
orally recognized as this ocean APP
proaches the fulfillment of the Iong-
ago prophecy that it was destined to
become the theater of the world s
greatest political and commercial ae'
tivities. Transpaeiic commerce in
freight and passengers by way of Ha-
wall is growing. These, islands are Wis
tied more and more by naval as well
as merchant vessels, including during
the last year the Atlantic fleet, the
Pacific feet (twiee), and many other
American, British German, French and
italian war vessels. The United States
is improving the harbors of the Terri |
tory, equipping the islands with light |
houses, thoroughly fortifying the island
of Oahu, and providing for a naval sta |
ton at Pearl Harbor with gratifying |
rapidly.
Buslnesslike Legislature.
During the year the regular biennial |
session of the legislature was held. Its |
results were highly satisfactory. 1t |
completed it's work within the time
limited by law, and it manifested |
throughout businesslike spirit. 1t did |
much toward placing the finances of i
both the Territory and the counties on
a good permanent basis and enacted |
many salutary laws.
Considerable progress has been made !
in the development of local govern !
ment. The functions of the counties, |
which were established only a few |
years ago, were greatly extended by |
the last legislature. There is manifest |
growing disposition on the part of |
the electorate to insist that the local |
shall be administered eco
and efficiently.
Public Debt.
All that remained of the 5 per cent.
bonds, which were also all that remain,
ed of the bonds issued before annexa
ton, amounting to $4,000, have been
paid. and $29, 532.66 turned into the
sinking fund for other bonds. The
public debt is now 1899, 900, or 2.85
per cent. of the assessed value of real
and personal property. The current re-
ceipts for the year were $3,051, 526.sl,
an increase of $3s1.77s.49 over the
for the previous year. The ex-
penditures were 1894 9S4.10, an in
crease of Sill, 605.24. The receipts ex-
ceeded the expenditures by $116,542.71.
Prosperity.
The prosperity of the previous year |