The Hawaiian gazette., 1909-11-12
BRUTALITY OF
THE BIRD KILLERS
Continued from Page one.)

Continued from Page one.)
have now been abandoned for the sim
pie reason that there are no more birds.
They have killed the whole lot.
In addition to some ten schooners
which this company possess, which are
all fitted out for the business, this firm
has large vessel with yards on her
foremost and fitted with an auxiliary
steam engine capable of driving her
about ten knots.
She is armed with one rapid fire A.
inch gun of the most modern pattern;
several rapid fire 1-pounder guns, and
Maxim, quite a formidable craft.
What her occupation may now be is
very questionable, but thanks to your
paper, steps are now about to be taken
to stop this horrible business-in these
islands.
l mentioned in my little book, "The
Log of the Kaalokai," about the "bar.
barous method employed Imagine an
island covered with tern, sea dove, and
other birds which visit these western
islands about the middle of April and
remain till the end of June, when their
young are able to fly. They are en-
trapped with large net their wings
are cut off and they are left to waddle
about till death from starvation ends
their sufferings.
In the winter season, when the al
batross come in, they are plucked alive
of the breast and such other feathers
as are of value, and let go. Now
do not think j have exaggerated when
/ wrote the word barbarous.'
When my good Uncle Sam does start
on for thing he does it pretty thor
oughly, so | expect to see caretakers
on each island. These men-the care
takers-would have a good time. And
in addition to their pay, could make a
good income in their leisure moments
by drying fish, procuring shark fins,
and doing various other things.
i submit returns derived from a
private source in Japan to show the
extent of the killing. One firm, i'll its
business report of imports, has this
paragraph:
Bird feathers, seal oil, turtle
shell, shark fins and dried fish,
from western Hawaiian Islands,
Y2,750,00.
Vessels that pass these islands can
no more see the stately man.of-war
Hawk which always lowered over
vessel indicating land in the vicinity
and furnishes the most beautiful and
lustrous feathers. They are gone, and
! feel sick at the thoughts of it. Hoping
you are same, ! remain yours very
truly, +. d. WALKER.
-1k-4sk~-lk1lk~lk.- .Ik~Ask>-SA,S
on native bank notes as against those
Of foreign banks. Meantime the pos.
tai officials, fully aware of the small
reliance to be placed in most native
banks, have in some places, notably In
Tientsin, refused 10 take any paper
money at thor offices, One may fairly
assume that this and many other prae.
tees will be abandoned where the
board of posts aud communications sue.
ceeds In "fesuming cOntr0l'' of the
p0stoilloo aud Diminishing rs foreign EN-,
ployes "Resuming CONTROL Is most
misleading term, since the postoflea
was organized by aud Ia stll managed
under the wing Of the maritime ens.
toms service, N this policy Of "ro,
sumption" with is allied policy of pro,
hblllng the continuation II foreign
postoilieos ip China 10 over carried out
We may well revert 10 the old systom,
by which anyone living la tho interior
who wished a. keep In touch with tho
outside world Was compelled ~ employ
hlH QNn private fonnefu.