60 KAUAI AND OA II U. 



The sugar-mills of Ladd & Co. are said to be doing a good business. 

 They are turned by water. The sugar is of a fair quality, and has 

 been sold in the United States at a profit. The natives are induced to 

 raise the sugar-cane, which is sometimes ground, or manufactured, on 

 shares, and is also bought. The labour of the natives, in raising the 

 cane, costs twelve and a half cents per day. This, however, is paid in 

 paper currency, issued by Ladd & Co., redeemable at their store; 

 consequently the price of the labour is no more than six and a quarter 

 cents ; for the sale of goods is rarely made in these islands under a 

 profit of one hundred per cent. The want of a native currency is 

 beginning to be much felt, both by the government and people ; a fact 

 that will tend to show the advance they have made and are making in 

 civilization. 



The sugar, T understood, could be afforded in the United States at 

 from four to four and a half cents the pound. This, however, I think 

 is rather a low estimate, to include growth, manufacture, freight, and 

 charges. 



Dr. Pickering and Mr. Brackenridge set out on foot, the day after 

 the tender arrived, along the southern coast, for Waimea, distant 

 eighteen miles, in order to take the western route across the island. 

 The whole distance between Koloa and Waimea was found to be a 

 series of sunburnt hills and barren plains, sloping gradually from the 

 base of the mountains to the ocean, and now and then intersected 

 with ravines, or, as they are called in the Hawaiian Islands, "gulches." 

 Only a few coarse grasses are met with, quite unfit for pasture. 



At Waimea, the fort built by the Russians, under their absurd trade- 

 master, Dr. Schoof, is still in existence. His ambition would have 

 made him the proprietor of the whole island, although his only business 

 was to take possession of the remains of the wreck of a ship belonging 

 to the Russian Company, that had been lost in the bay. Several Russian 

 vessels were afterwards sent there, which Schoof took charge of, by 

 displacing their masters. It is said he made presents to Kamehameha 

 I., and received in return a grant of land from him ; some accounts say, 

 the whole island ! It is quite certain, however, that Kamehameha's 

 fears were excited by the reports that were circulated from time to 

 time, that the Russians, through Dr. Schoof's operations, intended to 

 get such a foothold as to subvert his authority, and keep possession of 

 the island. With his usual promptness, he, in consequence, ordered the 

 governor, Kaumualii, at once to send them all away. This was effected 

 without any disturbance, and all the Russians embarked in a brig, in 

 which they proceeded to Halelea, to join other Russian vessels that 

 w r ere lying there, and all departed together. As any intention of taking 



