The Hawaiian gazette., 1909-02-12
OPPORTUNITIES,
PRATT'S THEME

A letter that clearly shows the varied
possibilities of Hawaii as land for
the industrious settler is used by Land
Commissioner Pratt to answer queries
of general nature from people on .he
mainland who think they would like
to come to the Islands. The letter is
worth quoting in full, and is as follows
In response to your favor requesting
information in re public lands, would
state:
First, that it is the earnest desire
of the Territorial government to secure
as prospective settlers bona fide home.
seekers, and to such persons every pos.
sible encouragement is offered.
Farm units of various sizes of agri.
cultural lands, up to maximum Of
fifty acres, are ready for occupancy, and
survey parties are in the field engaged
in plotting additional areas. These
| additional areas are located in the most
desirable districts, and the soil and lay
of the land is of the very best. Wagon
roads are being located and railroads
are planned and will almost certainly
be constructed. Good public schools
are conveniently near, and medical aid
is within easy reach. If settlers come
in colonies "a very desirable plan), they
may build up their own social system
and surrounding, or they may find a
desirable and congcnial system estab-
lished.
Hawaii has every condition of eli
mate that can be desired from the
continual summer of the low, land to
the ordinary four seasons of the(moun-
tain tops.
The pure winds from the Pacific
drive out malarial and other fever
germs, SO that their visits are very
few and far between, and their stay
extremely short.
The greatest drawback to the farmer
of the past has been the lack of trans
portation facilities whereby he could
get his produce to market. AS stated
above, this condition is now being i'm
proved by construction of first.class
wagon roads and the near prospect of
transportation by rail. Then, again,
sugar factories are distributed through
out the sections that are naturally
planted to cane, and canneries are
erected and being erected in the pine
apple districts, so that the cane or
pine grower is assured of ready sale
for his product
1t is also hoped that there will soon
be line of fast, well ventilated steam
ers to carry fresh fruits to the main
land. AS it is, thousands of tons are
shipped annually by the steamers of
the Pacific Mail, Oceanic, American
Hawaiian, Matson, and Australian
regular lines. The local Inter-lsland
steam service is excellent.
Among the different products that
may be cultivated upon farm in Ha-
waii are the following: Sugar cane
for its natural product; pineapple, for
sale in fresh state, or for canning; ba-
nanas, for sale as fresh fruit; ava.
cado Obligatory pears, for sale as a
fresh fruit; cocOanuts, for their oil and
copra; coffee, rubber, tobacco, rice and
sisal, for its fiber.
The production of the above named
crops is increasing.
/ The profit to be made on the above
and other crops in Hawaii, as in Other
countries, is mainly dependent upor
the energy and ability of the farmer.
1t is probably unnecessary to war;
prospective settlers that they should
not try to pioneer in Hawaii without
money-the amount reeded will depend
greatly upon the man, the size of hi:
family, and the particular kind Of
farming that he proposes to undetake
If possible, colonies should be formed
of families tha5 are copgenial and viii
cooperate. These colonies should sent
a trustworthy agent ahead to look Owe
the ground, pick out a desirable 10
cality, and advise the others regarding
necessary equipment, tools, etc.
The present steamer Ia,e (frst-class,
from San Francisco to Honolulu is from
$50 to $75, the round trip being from
$l1O to $l35, but as this rate is liabl,
to change, it would be best to com
municate with the above mentioned
steamship companies at their San Fran
cisco Offices regarding regular O
special rates for party. The staame
fares from Honolulu to the other island
of the group range from So to $12.5,
(frst class, according to the distance
travelled. The living expenses in th
Territory are little greater than lik,
expenses in the States.
AS some may be interested in pros
poets regarding cattle and stock raising
it may be well to say that this busines
is generally controlled by large con
Germs, though it may be taken up profit
ably in small way and as side issue
Public lands are offered to settler
at about one-fourth their cash value
the cost being from So to $3O,per acre
A copy of the form of application i
enclosed; also copy of the agreemen
of sale now in use; also copy of tn
public land laws, and several pamphlet
containing information.
You are earnestly desired to appl,
for additional information on any paI
ticular line, and are assured that sue
information will be cheerfully an