The Year's Work 303 



States referred to in a recent interview was immediately brought to the attention of the 

 Minister for Home Affairs, from whom a reply has now been received to the effect that 

 instructions have been issued to the Superintendent of the Metropolitan Police (Tokio), 

 the Governor of Kanagawa Ken and other chief of local officials, and to the Civil Admin- 

 istrator of Formosa, to take strict measures to prevent any persons within their respective 

 jurisdictions from infringing the regulations prohibiting such expeditions. 



Early in the year our Honolulu representative called attention to the fact 

 that certain private local interests were endeavoring to secure a concession 

 that would permit them to exploit the birds on a number of Pacific 

 Islands for millinery and other purposes. The facts in the case and the final 

 result can best be given by making the correspondence a matter of perma- 

 nent record. 



His Excei i.ency, The Governor, Honolulu. T. H., December 17, 1904 



Executive Ciiamber, 

 Honolulu, Hawaii. 



5z>.— Again referring to the question of Laysan Island, Lisiansky Island and French 

 Frigate Shoals, I beg leave to advise, that, in my opinion, I can make a living on them, 

 provided I be granted privileges such that tliey will warrant me in undertaking the work. 



At present the Islands are uninhabited ; and are bringing little or no revenue to the 

 Government. They are in the path of navigation. Vessels are liable to be wrecked there; 

 and without assistance their crews necessarily would have to take to small boats to save 

 their lives. The guano beds are practically exhausted, but there are a few pockets that 

 can be profitably worked in a small way. These Islands were formerly the breeding place 

 for sea-birds, but, owing to the depredations of the Japanese, the birds are becoming 

 scarce; and in a few years' time, unless protected, will be entirely driven away. 



Believing that cocoanuts would grow there, nine years ago I planted two trees and 

 they have grown well and are now commencing to fruit. All of these Islands can be 

 planted thickly with cocoanut trees which would yield a considerable revenue; and further, 

 would attract rain, so that the Islands in time would become productive. I accordingly 

 make the following proposition : 



That I be granted a lease of Laysan Island, Lisiansky Island and French Frigate 

 Shoals, for ninety-nine years on the following conditions : 



I will agree for ten years to plant each year not less than one thousand cocoanut trees. 



I will agree to pay a royalty of fifty cents per ton on all guano taken from these 

 Islands. 



I will agree to protect the birds ; but ask for the privilege of killing annually the 

 number stated in my previous letter; the skins of the birds to be turned over to the Terri- 

 torial Government for sale, and a royalty of ten per cent of the net realizations from the 



sale of the skins to be retained by the Territory, the balance to be paid to me 



(Signed) Max Schle.mmer. 



" Different kinds of birds of the Islands and the number that could be 



killed : 



Variety. Could be killed as folloivs. 



Number i. Black Widacks S-ooo a season 



Number 2. Blue Widacks 2,000 a season 



Number 3. Large Black Birds 200 a season 



