The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1874-06-03
INC esorernment surrey.

tuOuSu perhaps DOT 80 much as some OF It's irienuS
could have hoped for. In fact the earlier part Of
such work is necessarily slow, aud while an OBJ
servant aud educated person will see and ackuOwl-
edge the amount of labor accomplished, others
will be expectant Of immediate and snowy re-
suits, and be disappointed that such do not ap-
pear. The question for instance has often been
asked Of the Surveyor General. Well. have you
finished Maui yet p or, Have you been around
Oahu p with little comprehension Of the require
ments Of the work. 1t is not remembered either
that the total amount Of the appropriation is
about what would keep one well-equipped sur.
veyiug party at work on the public land surveys
say of California or New Zealand.
1t will be recollected that during the first year
Of the survey Qs7l-72). the Maui Section of the
trianguation was fairly laid out and under way,
and complete map of the Makawao District
prepared according to minute survey. showing
both the topography and the boundaries of pro-
perty. Immediately upon the commencement Of
the biennial period just past, base was measured
for the island of Oahu, on the plain between Ho-
noluIu and Kamoiliili waikiki. From this base
the triangulauOn carried so as to fix the pri-
mary points of all that part Of the Island to the
east of Salt Lake. The following are the prine-
pal stations in order West Base, Puu Ohia
(Iantalus), Kaimaki Telegraph HD, Konahua-
nui, Leahi Diamond Head. Koko Head, Maka-
pun, which is the extreme east point Of Oahu
Mokapu, on the crater of Kaneohe Heeia,'
" Kailua," 0lomana, and Nuuanu Pail The
heights OF all these points were determined, al
though it should here be remarked, that on this
any other trigonometrical survey the measure
ment Of heights is a mere by-play or sort Of re-
creation, entirely subordinate to the main work
of determining position. Probably fifty or more
observations are taken for the latter to every
one observation for height Heights have a
scientific interest for ALL but comparatively little
time is bestowed upon them The station. for
instance, on Honahuanui, (the Kona suumit)
was very accurately observed upon, not for the
ultimate purpose of obtaining its height which
was already known within eight feet, but because .
it was the key, so to say to all the mass Of work .
on the other side Of the island
The surveying party then repaired to Hawaii.
Of Puukapu, Waimea, the two ends of which are
10y actual leveIliug) 2757 and 2s7s
feet above mean sea level. 1t shosld be stated
here that the reason why one base cannot be
made to answer for the whole group, is that the
Islands are in chain rather than group. and
present to each other too narrow profles. so to
speak, to furnish aforementioned triaugles with
which to carry the work from island to island.
One base, however, answers for all the Maui
group, aud the different sections will easily be
united for the general map. To return to Ha-
wa : the triangulation was carried over a series
IF bulls ending finally on signals erected on the
SUBMITS of Mauna Kea and Huaalai. which two
points become now grand base for any trigo-
lOmencal operations required. The exact
heights Of these peaks are respectively 1896
md s,275 feet, the former probably being as
ieary correct as the ascerained height Of any
'vaA VI Us arItuue III tue wOrG, excepting per-
laps Mount Blanc. A complete Reconnaissance
vas also secured Of the whole of the north part
# Hawaii, so that the map now prepared and in
he Office gives the coast outline acd the main
divisions of the districts with toerable accurac7.
The party then returned to Oahu With the in
ention of dividing the force at disposal between
minute survey OF the Honolulu District and
be carrying on of the trangulation in the Maui
ection. 1t was deemed best, however, by those
] authority to have complete survey Of the
hores of and country adjacent to the Pearl
ochs as they should be called as neither the
srm lagoon nor river nor harbor" can be
richly applied. The triangulation was therefore
ztended from the previous years work over that
'ction Of country, and from it the Pearl River I
irvey and chart completed. Very complete
bindings Of the entrance were obtained by ex-
range with the United States Hydrographic
orps at work at the same time, and exact data
T computing the precise amount Of cutting nee
'ssary to improve the channel
Surveys Of Government lands around Homo
Ia and the making Of a complete map Of bro
'rty on the Kuaokahua plains. 10 Makiki Val .
:, &c then occupied the time. The appropria.
lon being exhausted or nearly so, a large amount
boundary to be settled by the Land Commits II
'ner was surveyed at the expense Of private
rites, but in such a manner that all becomes 81
ailable Tor the general maps Of the government N
this way large part Of this island has been NJ
Guided in the map prepared for the Office, show. m.
: primarily the progress Of the triaugula,ion s.
d secondarily the contour Of The districts Of va
va, Koua and Hoolaupoko. The Puuloa TRAN
latiOn was carried to the waiauae Mountains.
e district Of HonouIiuli. Eva, having been G..
oroughly mapped out. The map Of Oahu. to- an
Their with the map Of Hawaii above alluded to. n
ow how far from accuracy are the maps BY -
likes Expedition, which hang in so many rooms Ne
Offices 10 this place. The British Admiralty e. e.
lar, lImrays) is for more correct.
The theory Of Hawaiian tides. and the mag /.
TIC declination have received some attention.
e latter for this island, at points removed from
influence Of the mountains is % ~ f. n
'bably still increasing It has increased on %
IVAN aboat 40 10 Is years. It is to be regret.
that the party has not been enabled to con-
e itself more strictly to triangnlation. until
5 most necessary par, ofIhe work is completed.
ere still remains 4 huge amount Of bound,-v