Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1913-10-22

ma canal, with which he gave some
striking figures. He illustrated his
talk with references to a large map
| OF the hRrbor.
Commissioner Wakefield said in
part: "a.
Wharves, Their Relation to Trade.
Good wharves are as vital to the
economics of the territory as good
roads. The wharf system of the ter
ritory is the vehicle for moving ap-
iproximately tx million tons Of
freight annually. The facilities provid-
ed to handle this tonnage economical.
~ directly affects every person in the
country purchasing either the neces-
stiles or ,iuxuries of life ;tand conse-
quently is of vital interest to all
classes of people. r" -
ITO provide the present wharf sys-
tenn large sums have been spent out
of the general revenues secured from
general taxation. In addition to this
there has been spent from the vari-
GUS bond issues from 1903 to 1913 the
sum of s1,245,764.11.
Funds to cover cost Of wharf OPP
erations and Their maintenance are
provided by legislative appropria-
lions. All income derived from the
wharf system is paid into the general
funds of the territory. The best that
can be said Of this system is that it
is hoary and helpless. {.
"The income is derived from, one
source only, namely ship owners. /"
Consignees or consignors of cargoes
under our present system pay nothing
towards the operating and mainten-
ance of wiarves for their use and
convenience, except that they may
contribute through general taxation.
"We have two distinct bodies using
our wharves for profit, ship owners
and merchant consignees or consign-
ors; the value of good wharyes Is as
great to one party as to the other.
II ship owners cannot handle their
cargoes over good wharves, their
pockets are Immediately affected, II
merchant consignors or consignees
cannot take or give delivery of their
merchandise over good wharves their
pockets are Immediately touched"
toe; our laws provide for charge to
the ship owner but the merchant is
handed .manawahi.
This condition is distinctly Hawai-
ian. There are very few, If any, ports
In the world other than our own,
Were the merchant consignor or con.
signee does not pay a tonnage toll on
his merchandise passing over
wharyes, and foots his general tax
bill at the same time.
Charges. -
donolulu port charges have been
the subject OF some discussion as a
matter of fact the only two charges
that are out of line with commercial
ports the world over are water and
pilotage. The charge assessed against
shipping for water is public crime.
The only apology for 1t is that the
extortion pays for the upkeep Of the
sewers of the city. his matter was
placed by the board "a harbor COM
missioners two years ago before the
superintendent of public works, the
Chamber of Commerc0 and the Mer-
chants Association. The result of
these efforts was reduction in price
to shipping from $3.50 to 81 per thou
sand gallons. The price is still $50
exorbitant that unless some radical
reduction In cost of water IS arranged
for at an early date a-drastic remedy
will have to be invoked, and in the
application of this remedy we shall
ask for your support
THE revision of pflotage charges Is
now under consideration by a commit
tee of the, board of harbor commits
sioners. PiIotage fees at present for
large vessels Of the type of the s. s.
Mongolia or the s. s. Tenyo Maru are
really low. The present fat rate of
$50 for inward or outward pilotage or
steamers irrespective of size lets the
large boats down easy but works
hardship on the smaller craft; while
the pilotage charge of &c per net reg
istered ton on sailing vessels raises
their rate out of all proportion to that
charged to steamers, and entirely too
high for the services rendered. A
good basis of charges will undoubtedly
be reached by the harbor commission.
committee now studying the question
and an adjustment will be made at an
early date that will be satisfactory to
all shipping interests.
"At present there is no wharf in the
territory outside Of lionoiuIu harbor
that an ocean going steamer can tie
UP to for the discharge or receiving of
cargo. This condition will shortly be
remedied at Hilo, where good wharf
is. nearing completion that will &C
commodate two ocean gong steamers
at one time. 49,
THE harbor commissioners will have
available after the next bond issue has
been completed $150,000 for the con-
struetion of wharf at Lahaina, Maui.
The purpose of this wharf is to &C.
commcdate ocean going steamers and
will be a great aid in the development
of business on the Laha1na side of
Maui. .,
ITO handle the freighting of island
products with economy anG dispatch,
wharves at which ocean going steam
ers can work will have to be provided
in Kona. Kahului, Lahaina and Nawili-.
will This is no work tor the distant
future but will have to be dealt with
in tho Inn m, on,ato nroconf II thu far