The Hawaiian gazette., 1911-10-06

that he could not understand how the
government could charge for prefer
ence right. There are not many wharves
to which Pacific Mail boats could be
sent. A special charge of 5000 or $3.50
was unjust As TO the Matson com
pany, at present, the boats were sent
all around the harbor to discharge car
goes. He did not think It was the
idea of the commission to inconvenience
the companies.
Some History.
Mr.. Campbell presented some historic
cal facts. Twelve years ago sailing yes
sells were the principal arrivals here.
The sailing vessel of 600 tons gave more
in wharfage than the big steamers now
coming in, which discharge four or FIVE
thousand tons of cargo in couple of
days and then leave for other ports.
The income in the old days was much
greater, in proportion, than today with
big steamers and many of them, and in
addition the Territory has had to pro-
vide an expensive system of wharves,
which were not needed years ago for
the sailing vessels.
]. A. Kennedy stated that he had cor
respondenee with ship owners abroad
and they were kanalau about their yes
sells coming here owing to high port
costs. He wanted to know what likeli-
hood there was of tramp steamers COM
ing here in large numbers if there were
additional charges put upon them. Then
again, why should vessels of lines which
are coming here on schedule time, ar
irving when expected, pay more than
tramp vessels which come when not ex-
pected2 The schedule vessels must re-
ceive proper and adequate wharfage
w. H. Baird stated that foreign ship
ping men considered San Francisco and
Honolulu the two most expensive ship.
ping ports in the world.
Water Charges High.
1t was also stated during the discus
sion that the charge for water was not
only excessive, but exorbitant. Chair
man Campbell agreed with these state
ments. They should be reduced; cut in
half, he said.
Mr.. Kennedy objected to the length
ening of the Inter-Island wharves, say
ing the extra space would be useless to
the company. The commissioners stat
ed, however, that the extra space could
be utilized by sailing vessels.
We know the policy of this govern
ment for thirty years has been to assist
foreign commerce., - said Mr.. Kennedy.
Extra costs will not accomplish this
This is not a home port for all these
steamship companies, except the Inter
Island. 1t is merely a way port for
them. The Inter-Island companies pay
100000 in taxes to the government.
Why tax them more9
Mr.. Drew said the MatsOn company
had to employ many extra people lust
because freight from its steamers had to
be discharged at several wharves.
Commissioner Mccarthy then stated
that the concensus of opinion seemed
to be opposed to a preferential fee.
eve don't expect any revenue from a
road we may build in or out of the
city" said Mr.. Mccarthy. cit is for
the benefit of the whole community. /
don't think we should attempt to make
the harbor different from a road. A
man in the retail business told me to.
day that yesterday was the greatest day
he had had in business since he opened
his store twelve years ago. That was
due to two big steamers being in port
in one day. These steamers bring
wealth to the community. | don't be-
lieve in putting any more charges ON
shipping than we can avoid.''
Mr.. Mccarthy then moved that the
commission, after receiving the opinion
of the shipping interests, do not make
any preferential right charge, and this
was carried unanimously, Commissioners
Campbell, McStoelser and Mccarthy
voting.