376 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 
rarely ever have an opportunity from one year’s end to another to 
purchase fish. 
At Honolulu the market house, with land, is valued at $155,000. It 
is owned by the Territorial government, and is one of the best appointed 
fish markets in the United States. A fish inspector, with one assistant, 
is in charge of the market, and all fish must be inspected by him 
before they go upon the stalls. In this manner complete control over 
the fish sold in the city is obtained, as no peddling through the 
streets is permitted. 
There are 20 stalls for the sale of fresh fishery products, the rents 
of which vary from $15 to $30 per month, according to location. Only 
15 of these were occupied in 1900. Of these, 11 were run by Chinese, 
3 by Japanese, and 1 by natives, the total number of persons employed 
being Chinese 40, Japanese 6, and natives 2. In addition to these, 6 
tables were occupied by 6 native women on Saturday for the sale of 
limu (alge), while 3 tables were devoted to the sale of dried fish dur- 
ing most of the week, and were run by 3 native women. Ona few 
days in the week, when fresh fish are scarce, certain of the dealers 
also sell pickled California salmon. The fishermen bring their catch to 
the market at whatever hour is convenient to them, and the dealers 
sell for them on a basis of 10 per cent commission. Fish brought in 
previous to noon must be sold before the market closes the same day, 
but if brought in after noon it can, if not sold before night, be kept 
in a cold-storage house close by, and placed on the stalls again the 
next morning, but in that event it must be distinguished by a small 
placard bearing the words ‘‘ Iced fish.” The inspector is empowered 
by law to pass upon all fish before being placed upon the stalls, and 
can condemn any tainted fish either then or afterwards. It is the 
usual custom to make frequent inspections of the fish after they go 
upon the stalls, as they soon become tainted in that climate. No ice is 
used around the market house. The larger fish are dressed, while the 
smaller ones are sold round. There is no loss in dressing, however, 
as the head, entrails, ete., are sold. All except gold-fish are sold dead. 
This market is exceedingly well managed, and there appears but little, 
if any, chance for improvement. 
The market house at Hilo, which is owned by private parties, was 
built at an expense of $10,000, including the value of the land, and 
was opened for business on April 1, 1899. During 1900 the number 
of stalls occupied was 27, the rents of which varied from $5 to $15 
per month. These were not occupied continuously, as frequently 
a dealer would give up the business after a week or a month’s trial 
and someone else would start in. There are 32 stalls in all. The num- 
ber of persons employed around the market was 22 Chinese, 18 Jap- 
anese, and 14 natives. During the summer of 1901 a syndicate of 
Chinese and Japanese bought up the stalls and began to take advantage 
