The Hawaiian gazette., 1869-12-01
A New Discovery.

Mr.. EDITOR A writer in the P. C. Adrer-
tiser signing himself "a water drinker'' being
as be says "of curious disposition" and wish
ing to ascertain why there had been such
good supply of water the past dry summer,
has made the wonderful discovery that there
is an open auwai running into the reservoir
from the Nuuanu river or what he calls the
Kapena baths.
Now, "Water Drinker" must have known
if he had made any effort to inform himself
on this subject, that this auwai was built
many years ago, and has always been used as
an auxiliary to the springs in supplying the
reservoir with water, as the springs are and
always have been inadequate to supply the
town with water.
Now, all that the Superintendent of Water
Works has had to do with this auwai was to
keep it in repair and remove distractions from
it and prevent, as far as possible, its being de-
filed and if Water Drinker" will examine
the records of the Police Court he will find
that parties have been fined within the last
There is no doubt that the repairs on this
auwai, (which have been quite expensive) has
increased the supply of water, but the aug
mented supply is mainly due to the purchase
by the Government of Mr.. Bishops right and
title to what is known as the Paki auwai.
This auwai has been repaired and where there
have beer streams diverging from it to irri-
gate lands there have been iron gates set in
masonry with locks attached, instead of
stones and sods which was the former manner
of closing these streams, and which could at
This has enabled the Superintendent to save a
large amount of water which has previously
been running to waste, and to divert this
waste water into the Nauanu river; and this
is "why there has been such a good supply
the past dry summer"
Had "water Drinker" pursued his research
es further up the valley he would have ascer-
tanned this fact. With regard to bathing in
the river l can only say that during the last
session of the Legislature, bill was introduce
ed by one of the Ministry to prohibit bathing
in Nuuanu river, but it was thrown out.
Now if there is any way under the present
laws by which persons can be prevented from,
or punished for bathing in Nuuanu river,
shall be most happy to do all can in the
premises, and more, / beg to tender a liboral
fee to any legal gentleman who will secure
conviction and punishment for bathing there
might have supposed that Water Drink
er had written this article for the welfare of
the Public had it not been for the last para
graph which like the Postscript of ladies' letters
Il beg pardon of the ladies for the comparisOn)
contains the gist of the whole matter, that is,
his animus against all and every officer of
this Government.
There cannot be a doubt that if he was placed
in charge ofthe Water Works the public would
be supplied with the purest of water and in
sufficient quantity. The undersigned begs to
say to the inhabitants of Honolulu, that he has
endeavored to supply them with pure water,
and if his administration of this Bureau of
the Government does not meet with their APP
proval, he will cheerfully give place to a bet
er man. THOs. Lone,
Superintendent of Water W Orks.