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Blount Report: Affairs in Hawaii

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       HAWAIIAN   ISLANDS.      	1001
Q. They are good lands.
A. A great many are very good lands.
Q. What is being done with them now?
A. Nothing in particular. A great deal of crown land is idle now for the reason that there is not large enough area 
for plantations, but it would be large enough for the support of a family. It would be good for raising pineapples, 
bananas, etc.
Q. Well, that population coming here to engage in that business would be a new condition of things?
A. Yes, sir.
Q. What do you think about the value of sugar lands; would they go up or not?
A. I do not think they would go up at all.
Q. Do you not think that this influx of population you speak of would have generally the effect of increasing 
values of every sort?
A. Well, that would very largely depend on the arrangement regarding our sugar going into the United States. If 
the plantation was realizing more for sugar it would increase the value of lands. There is no sugar land to take up. It 
is mostly taken up.
Q. And the additional population that would come here would engage in the raising of fruit?
A. Yes; fruit and coffee. I have great faith in the coffee industry. I think a thrifty farmer coming here could take 
small pieces of land. I think some plantations would be better off if they could go into some scheme of that 
character.
Q. That would involve the building of houses for these people?
A. Yes.
Q. Then you would expect men to come with means enough to build his house?
A. Well, I think if they only had partial means that a portion would be advanced to them.
Q. Well, what about his supplies while he was making a crop?
A. I have no doubt the plantation would advance him a certain percentage while he was making a crop.
Q. Charging him interest, of course, on advances?
A. Yes; certainly. I think probably certain portions would be advanced without interest. That would be a matter he 
would have to take his chances on.
These notes have been read to me by Mr. Mills, and I pronounce them an accurate report of the interview between 
myself and Col. Blount.
C. B. Wells.
Honolulu, May 15, 1893.
This was done because Mr. Wells was leaving the island. He could not wait until the notes were transcribed.
-E. M.
No. 57.
Interview with Judge H. A. Widemann, Honolulu, May 20, 1893.

Mr. Blount. Judge, where were you born?
A. Hanover, Germany.
Q. How long have you lived here?
A. Forty-seven years.

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