The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1858-10-21


NoncK is given that the Minister of the Interior has appointed
". L. GREEN, ESQ.,, Of Honolulu, rs Agent Of the Department for
the Sale or Lease OF the Wharf Lots above advertised
October 8, 1855.
WE copy the above notice from the Polyne-
sian, as a large portion of our readers are not
probably aware of the arrangements which have
been made by the government for the services of
Mr.. Green in the disposal of the new wharf pro-
perty. In another part of our paper will be
found an advertisement by him in relation to
these lots. The government is fortunate in secu-
ring the services of one so well qualified for the
agency as Mr.. Green. Indeed, it is a matter OF
regret that men of his stamp, possessing such
thorough business qualifications, do not stand ut
the head of each of the departments, with ability
to discharge the duties devolving on each.
1t is about two years, We believe, since the
work of filing in this wharf was commenced, and
it is only at this present time that the lower lots
have been placed in u condition to be considered
available for purposes of sale, although some OF
the upper lots have been ready for some months.
About this time last year. we printed a plan OF
the property as then laid out. Since then the
plan has been very much altered, SO as to make
more wharf room and a less number of lots. On
our first page we present a plan OF the lots as
thew are now offered for sale. In viewing 1t,
the observer is supposed to be looking from
the foot of Fort street. The land, Us far as filled
in. has been divided into thirty-seven lots, three
of which have been leased and two reserved for a
Custom House, as marked on the plan. OF the
remaining thirty-two, all are offered for sale with
Fee Simple Titles, excepting nine lots, marked
L. And some of these, we understand, can De
bought subject to certain conditions. Most OF the
lots have a frontage of fifty feet, and a depth
VARYING from one hundred to one hundred and
twenty-seven feet.
The obstinate pertinacity with which the pro-
ject of dispos ng of this property only by lease
was proposed and maintained, for sinister pur-
poses, as is believed, has happily been displaced
by wiser counsel, and the terms on which they
are now offered can not be otherwise than salts
factory to persons who may wish to purchase Tor
investment or improvement. Foreigners, under
the laws of this kingdom, can hold real estate on
the same footing with native subjects.
The prices which have been fixed on, have been
somewhat modified from those first set on them,
and the valuation ranges now from S2'uO to
$4,000 per lot, according to the size and location.
Corner lots of course are placed higher as having
a more extensive frontage. The present valua-
ton has been based on actual sales of real estate
in the business part of the city, and can by no
means be considered as exorbitant. 1t is for
the interest of the government that the prices
should be low, for it must take time to draw
the business portion of the town from quarters
to which long leases and other circumstances
confine them.
Whether the property will ever realize to the
government what it has cost, is very questionable.
But that it is the duty of the government to
provide facilities for the commerce and business
of the port there can be no question. Taking
this view of it, the work will be considered with
satisfaction by all, whether it brings In a full
return of its cost OF not. The wharf room was
needed. and must be provided, and wespeak with
some certainty when we say that there are not
more wharyes than are wanted at times like the
present, when every foot is occupied; and we
may add further, that improvements to the har-
Dor or wharves can not be carried forward faster
than the wants of our trade will demand them.
We do not wish to see any speculative fever
excited in order that the government may be
enabled to sell its property, but we earnestly
hope that it may find purchasers for the wharf
lots,-men who will have the means to carry out
improvements on them. At the prices they are
now offered they are unquestionably a safe invest
ment. The erection of a Custom House on the
land reserved for that purpose would add much
no doubt to the value of the property,-but in
the present state of the finances of the country no
Immediate prospect of that exists.
A Few Words A bout Ice.