The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1876-06-24

property, according to the Report, the following sums:
o two 6wisb bhre-p proof Warehouses Warehouse on the the Espanade" SIS s5 So
For improvements M Of e1t the present. Of aaff Palace Grounds. ss;s 8 81 81 81
Making a total -....M. q --~...~s7e,s 1881 40
In reviewing this statement, your Committee cannot con-
oede that the above amount represents improvements which
have added a permanent value to the public property, and
thereby enhanced the worth of said property; on the contrary,
they believe that the larger part of this expenditure has been
such as may properly be called current expense. They are
of opinion, that the item for Warehouses, for Wharf and
N,ta,Tion Of FL Market, and purchase of Summer Lot,
sr :ntlng in all 10 $31, GA So, embraces all of the above
expenditure of $76,981 49, which has been added to the per-
manent and remuneratlve value OF the public property.
However much Improvement may have been effected on the
Palace Grounds, no ons can say that it is remunerative prop
erty; or, that the Improvements are of such a nature as are
not likely to reappear again, in some shape or other, as a
matter of expenditure, with the single exception of the pur-
chase of the Summer Lot. To-day, one wooden building
needs renewing or repairs; and tomorrow, another. So also
the expenditure upon new Government Buildings, which has
been for plumbing, painting, &c, articles of furniture, fittings,
&c, may be classed as belonging to those repairs, improve
ments and extensions, which are certainly recurring,-and to
continue which, the sum of $4,000 is asked for, for the
present biennial period. While, therefore, the public prop
ertv has not been enhanced i'll value by the large sums
expended upon it, beyond the amount received for sales of
the same, and the excess of current expense has been largely
In excess of ordinary revenue, your Committee cannot speak
with approval of borrowing large sums of money at a high
rate of interest, in advance of the needs of the Treasury, as
shown by the large balance of cash in hand, $50, 500 40. It
has the effect, not only of paying considerable sums of public
money unnecessarily for interest, but likewise of rendering it
more difficult for private persons who need to borrow to do so.
Your Committee have examined carefully the vouchers and
accounts of the expenditure for improvements OF the present
Palace grounds. The appropriation for this item was S15 600.
the expenditure has been S~36,911.31, an excess of 80. OH 81.
which has been derived from other appropriations. These
improvements and alterations, are such IS certainly were not
contemplated by the Assembly, and the executive in making
them. have been obliged to resort to q transfers ,-mnc6
beyond a reasonable use of this power of changing the anpro-
priatlons granted to them IN the Dun cHlSe OF the Appropria-
ton Bill.
Your Committee do not consider all the money used for
those improvements and changes, as representing real nro
Dartv There has been expended upon the wall sronnd [+bo
grounds about $4,000, and for the purchase of the Summer
lot 1850. The remainder OF the S3e,9l1.31, in work upon
tbe grounds and in making alterations, changes and improve
menfs on small wooden structures, which do not renresent
n permanent value to the community.
We likewise find charged the sum Of 81, 496. so for furni-
ture, and $3.50 for a carriage, items which now appear for the
first time in a public account. Your Committee NAV perhaps
be excused for odverdng to so small an item as that of $50
paid for drawing deed for the sumner lot, that they may say,
* has been the custom hitherto for the paid Counsel Of the
government to draw deeds without charging the Governmept
extra therefor. Among the vouchers appears one for 81 400.
'cor cash Maid to Mr.. Lishmau, who has been acfpo S'pser
in4endent OF Public Works. 1t has been the f1,aotice for
some years past to employ a person III Ike manner as Mr..
- concentrations for the several public works on Will, ba-Ios
beeen engaged. The reason for this practice, rrotnbiiI has
boan the omission or refusal of the Assembly, - an
appropriation for a superintendent of Public Work Your
CoIrnnittee are OF opinion that 1t would be better 70 hove all
,avments made by the Government in the nature = salaries
appear under their appropriate heads IN the AUGMENTATION
TSIl The bills for material in this account annaar e. v1nr
Committee to have items at higher prices than ou0bt 70 have
been paid. considering the extent Of the purchases they
- erediblv informed that on one item alone so~o 500
might have been saved. Your Committee believe that all
snI1Dlies and materials could be obtained at lower rates. if
competition from the sellers should be- invited through
advertising the wants Of the Government;
Your Committee have been struck with the unusual
number Of g transfers, ," and with the extent of them. 1t has
been the custom of the Assembly, from the foundation of the
Government, to add to the Appropriation Bill a clause Grant