The present Japanese population is estimated at 80,000, many of the males being ex-soldiers, who have seen service with the Mikado's forces.
The majority of the Japanese are labourers on the sugar plantations, though quite a number are engaged in business, and keenly compete with the white population.
What the visitor regards as a serious aspect of the matter is that the Japanese now in Hawaii are entitled to the franchise.
He says Hawaii is looked upon as the key of the Northern Pacific, and in the event of the United States being embroiled in a struggle with an Eastern nation the group would be a strategic position of the utmost importance.
The United States is now fortifying Hawaii, and intends to make Pearl Harbour a naval base, where dry docks will be completed, capable of taking the largest American battleships.
The visitor also remarked that there is a growing feeling in American military circles that sooner or later the interests of Japan and the United States were bound to clash and the result would be a bitter struggle for the mastery of the Northern Pacific.
The complaints about the condition of Bluff oysters arriving at Christchurch and Wellington are alleged to be due to the handling they receive from the Railway Department.
It is stated that the oysters are placed in open trucks at the Bluff and covered with a tarpaulin.
On arrival at Dunedin it is sometimes found that they are actually warm.
Their condition must be much worse when they reach Christchurch, and the additional journey to Wellington does not tend to improve them.
If the department provided insulated trucks, which have been the subject of pressure on many occasions, the oysters could be taken quite safely.
• NEW YORK: A remarkable incident was witnessed in one of the city thoroughfares last night.
A lady (Mrs Bragdon) was walking along the street when she was suddenly assailed by a large dog.
It was noticed that the brute centred its attention on Mrs Bragdon's right hand, and it soon became evident that a purse which she was carrying was the object of its attack.
The animal finally gained possession of the purse, and then made off.
As a result of their inquiries the police made the startling discovery that there was a gang of thieves in New York that actually trained dogs in purse-snatching.
- ODT, 13.3.1911.
