The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1874-06-03
Shall we have a Public Park {?

ofAustralasia."
Shall we have a Public Park?
The AdpertiSsr attempts to ridicule our sug
geston OF converting the new Government House
into a palace and of opening up the present
palace grounds Us a public park. The ideas
thrown out by US are by no means new, but ara
shared and endorsed by large portion of our
community. The changes proposed are SO well
calculated to subserve the public interest, that
they carry conviction with them, aud are ap-
proved by almost every body.
They are of course all based on the necessity
Of erecting new structure for palace II this
is not required, then the case is entirely altered
But it is well known that the present palace
buildings are all going to ruin, and are untenanta-
ble, compelling His Majesty to rent premises else
where to live in. The plans for palace, fur
nished from Sydney some two or three years
since, would require an expenditure Of well nigh
two hundred thousand dollars to complete it,
or course we have not any such amount 70 spend
for it, but the sum Of 500 600 has been appropri-
ated each session for several years past, and may
be again; and If palace is ever built, it will
cost at least 100000, before it is completed.
Admitting the necessity of palace, sooner or
later the next question is, where, and what shall
it be The fact that the new government build.
ing is not located in the most convenient place,
at once suggests the thought that 1t may serve for
palace. But some say that it is too lurge Not
at all. Or if thought to be so, shut up the south
or north wing, or both, and furnish aud use only
what may be needed. To furnish the portion
required would call for no greater sum than for
nov nala"e SOW S9n nnn A nd as for kaeninu il
in order no larger number Of servants will be re-
quired than for smaller building. 10 short on
the score Of economy, it can easily be proved to
be the best arrangement that can be devised
But it is chiefly from the other changes Incl.
dent to this appropriation Of the new building.
that the public would derive the greatest advnn-
tages. The erection of a new moderately-sized
government building, Of better plan and proper
lions to serve the public business to be located
between the courthouse and custom.house. so as
to make three public buildings convenient and /
handy to each other, and to the business portion
Of the city-wOald be a great improvement
Such building can be pat up for 100000, and /
completed in two years from this date
Here then, we should have the old courthouse.
used for the police head quarters, police court,
and statiou-house, all under one roof with ample .
conveniences for all branches Of this service. and
perhaps other offices. Standing in the rear Of the
site occupied by Thompson's blacksmith shop and
enclosed with substantial wall or fence, would be
the new Honolulu Hale "-an ornament to the city
and a convenience 10 the government service and
the public. Next would be the custom-house and
public warehouses, all easy Of access. These 6ne
buildings, concentrating in them all the public
service while they became the admiration of
those who might visit US, would largely enhance
the value Of the public property aroand them,
and bring it into demand.
But perhaps this is the least Of the benefits to be
derived from this change. BY throwing open the
palace grounds to the public, ornamenting them
with groves and walks, it would provide for Us a
public park where old aud young, rich and poor.
he invalid or the robust. the stranger and the
native born,-ali might seek health aud pleasure.
Who would not feel prouder Of his country after
ne proposed improvements we're furnished ?
Who would be ashamed to point to that as the
esdence Of the King Of Hawaii and Ibis as the
ark which he, with true patriotism and genera
iy had granted to be perpetual blessing to
be people Of Hawaii nei?
Tvba No., ~. - -.
he greater its advantages will become apparent. >
n whatever point Of view we scan it-whe,ber A..
BUSINESS, social, or economic. Let Us look at its
ost
TO take the present building for a palace 4,
vii cost no more to furnish it, or to enclose !
nd improve the premises, than it will for govern
nent Offices, say $4,000 =
To erect new government building will cost i.
ay $4,000, sud its furniture $1,000. Total ap. !
roximate outlay-S9O.OOO. .
To erect new palace on the present palace
rounds will cost at least 100000. To furnish =,
be same $4,000, To these should be added
10000 10 furnish the present huge government h
ouse, if ussd as such. Making in all $4,000.
The Improvement of the new "Kapiolaui !
ark " would extend through a series Of years, !,
nd ought not to come into the estimate as the
lme expenditures will be called for, if the
remises are retained for palace.
Thus We see that in an economic view, the
isest thing for US to do, is to adopt the new
40 and save to the public exchequer $4,000
To attempt to ridicue this project as the Aa-
rtiser does, is to ridicule the continuance Of
e Sovereignty of our Kingdom. Every true pa
lot or statesman should seek the pernaneucy of :,
5 government, and in all bis plans have this in
ew. Whatever changes may arise, one thing is