Polynesian. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu], Hawaii) 1844-1864, 1850-02-16


remains to be done that you may obtain fee
secured your lands, and taken your Patents,
your poalima (or landlord) tax will be at an
end.
Two courses then are open for you Ei-
ther to secure your lands, work on them and
he happy, or to sit still, cell them and then
die. Which do you choose'
| WILLIAM L. LEE.
| GRANTING LANDS TO COMMON Ma.
TIVES, IN FEE-SIMPLE.
Be joyful, ye common natives of this King
dom, for the King and Government have con-
ferred upon you very great worldly bless
ing, by granting to you the lands which you
oce6py, in fee-simple; so that, when you
have obtained your Patents, the lapds will
belong to you and your children forever
The Sneaning of this term, " in fee-simple, -
is that the Patertee, alone is the owner of
the land, and no one else has any remaining
right to it. The Konohki has no claim up
end Each man will be his own Konohiki
The Government can nevertheless impose
tax upon lands held in fee-simple, should
it hereafter be thought proper so TO do
That is the cS9tom in all enlightened coun-
tries. The Poalua tax however, which is
not imposed upon land, and is set apart for
the benefit of schools is still to be enforced,
unless commuted. The commutation system
paying half dollar quarterly, is.very gen.
orally introduced at present, so that there is
no poaiua work done on Oahu.
Formerly the land belonged to the Chiefs
only, and the common natives had no well
defined rights. The Chiefs gave lands to
whom they pleased, and took them away at
pleasure. Thus il was until 1886. At that
time the chiefs settled the rights of tenants J
so that each man could continue upon his
land unless he were guilty of some wrong.
Ever since, 1t has been unlawful to expel any
one from his land unless he had been con-
victed Of some offence. Afterwards also in
1916. six Commissioners were appointed to
ascertain the claims Of every one to land.
The lands were also divided between the
King, the Konohiki, and the common native,
third to each. The King and Government
also made separation between the Kings
private lands and those belonging to the Gov
ernment The Board Of Commissioners have
been, and still are, diligently engaged in
their business of granting land titles. n
The resolutions Of the Priyy Council VIII
are published in thu paper, are the first w ~
have clearly designated and settled the rights,I
of the commsn natives to the land which theyl
occupy. Read them attentively. One thing
only remains, the proper surveying of the
lands; 1hpt have a little patience and that
too wilfDe attended TO. -
Now then, my dear fellow subjects, let me
advise you in respect to some things:
1. Be not obstinate in insisting upon every
little crook and corner in your land, but con-
suit together and unite one piece with anoth-
er, SO that several may be inclosed in the
same patent, so as to accommodate your
selves. This uniting Of your severals pieces
in one, lessen the chargeSof the Land Com
mission. Do it quickly and don't put it of.
3 When you have obtained your Patents,
what viii you:do? Just as you did before.
eh. Ride around from place to place, work
a little and idle about great deal; sleep,
talk and loaf about? If so, your trouble and
expense in obtaining Patents, will all be ut
terIy useless.
You should act thus. Let the wife rel
main at home and put the house in order, !
and the husband 60 out and cultivate the
land, day by day. Be Industrious, and ht
uD your houses ana house lois, IuThisu your
selves with seats, beds, plates, bowls, knives,
spoons and glasses; provide separate sleep
ing rooms for parents and children; andln-
crease the produce of your lands. Rest not
until you are comfortably supplied with all
good things. Plant all kinds Of good trees
on your lands, as the fig, coffee, guava;: ;:or-
ange, bread-fruit, cocoa-ot, koa. kau, viaP-l
pie, and all kinds Of Towering shrubs and
fruit trees, SO that your lands may be eqbel-
lished with beautiful plants and trees.
Take proper care also Of your children,
that you be not destitute of heirs Let the
daughters remain at home with their moth
er, and learn to sew, wash, iron; to make
mats and hats, and to seek after knowledge.
The little girls should go TO school The
older bows should g0.out to work with their
father. For as the land will become theirs
should they behave themselSes properly, shey
should work upon and improve It.
You should also live in accordance with
the lrordsof God. for your lands will DO you
no good if you disregard His commands, by
drinking. licentioasness, devot-
ing yourselves e dsasure and breaking the
CSbhash -