The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1857-09-03
SPECIAL BUSINESS NOTICE.
THE PACIFIC
Commercial Advertiser.
THURSDAY. SEPTEMBER 8.

IHE suoJecI OF Il supply IL "dIef " IL wv
of Honolulu is becoming of more Importance
every month. That the supply is not adequate
to the demand is evident. We are informed that
a large number of persons, foreigners and ma
tiyes, are now anxious to obtain water from the
valley pipes, but are unable to do so, owing to
the capacity of the pipes being now exceeded
and some who pay their rates of S25 per annum
do not obtain at all times what their necessities re-
quire. 1t is not at all unlikely that were a larger
supply obtained, and Pipes laid through every
street where water is wanted, that over four hum
dred taps would be made. The complaints in re-
gard to the water naturally fall on the govern
ment, as being the proprietor of the water works.
In late numbers of the PoLyneSidn we have no
ticed advertisements in regard to the water, IN
tended to regulate o. check the supply OF it.
But this is the wrong way to REMEDY the evil that
exists. The only mode in which it can be cor
rected is 10 increase the supply. Thiscan be done
only by laying down new pipes to one or more
fountains or streams, and if necessary, construct
ing a suitable reservoir. Twelve months ago we
dwelt at length ON the same subject, and urged
the government TO take active steps IN the matter.
Had there been even a moderate zeal shown In
ministering to the wants of the people we should
before this have had a full supply. The water is
there, in abundant and exhaustless streams, run
ming to the sea. And as for the means to make
the Improvement, there can be no doubt that 1T
can be obtained, If sought.
1t is stated, ON good authority, that there are
parties ready to advance whatever sums may be
needed to enlarge the water works, provided the
proceeds of the works are pledged in payment of
the interest and principal. This certainly would
be a fair and business-like mode of having the
improvement executed. provided the government
has not the necessary funds to carry it on itself.
1t is not so much the want of ways and means to
carry out these improvements, as the utter ineffl-
cheney of ne responsible head of the Department
of Public Works. Honolulu might to-day be
bountifully furnished with an exhaustless supply
of water had this matter been taken up twelve
months ago, when it was called for. But here it
lies in the same state it then was, and may con-
tinue to do so for months and perhaps yeaD to
come, unless more efficiency is secured in carrying
on the public works.
That the government is the proper party to
undertake works of public improvement, where
possessed of ample means to make such works
with the greatest despatch and at the cheapest
cost, all will agree but, embarrassed as the gov
eminent has been for years, it doubtless would
have been better for it and for the public had it
accepted the offer made to it, we believe, some
years ago by private individuals, to supply Homo
lulu with the water wanted. A chartered COM
pany would probably have done the work more
efficiently, and relieved the government from the
opprobrium thrown on it, solely from the mac
= L 80 NJ - -.
sources.
There are so many improvements needed in con-
nection with the water works that it appears
almost needless to point out any of them until
some purpose is manifested ON the part of the
to further the work. In the absence
of insurance faci' tiles, or the rates being higher
than most property holders can well afford, it is
the duty of citizens to urge the government,
who alone claims the right to act in the prem
to provide more water reservoirs than now
exist. They should be scattered SO as to be made
in every fire. These reservoirs would be
the best safeguard that could be provided against
extensive confagrations. A capacious water tank
the wharf, where the water-house now is, and
one at the newly-constructed pier on what
should now be called +. the point would facili-
the supplying of water to ships in the fall.
If the supply of water is increased, it would be
no very expensive matter TO have a fountain in
the proposed courthouse park, to be allowed to
play only when water is abundant or would
be wasted by running to the sea.
The introduction of valley water has made a
vast change in improving the aspect of the town.
houses are now in many instances surrounded
gardens and trees, which owe their life in a
great measure to it. The healthiness Of the place
has also been much improved by it. These
changes would be still more embarked with an abun-
dant supply, and in less than ten years Honolulu
would be surrounded by and embedded in a for
est of trees, which, as we all know, would exert
great change in the temperature of the atmos-
phere, rendering it a more attractive and healthy
But we have no hope of any amend in this or
other matters of vital interest to the prosperity of
our town and country, until a radical change
takes place in the administration of the several
departments of the Kingdom matter
is quietly but surely waking up the people
to a sense of their just rights.