The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1877-01-20

Letters from Maui.
The following extracts from letters from Makawao,
under date of the 10th inst. indicate progress in that
MAKAwAo, january 10Th, 1877.

SectiOu . H - rH =. 80 -
MAKAwAo. January 10th, 1877.
cit is raining here nearly every day or night;
the whole country is covered with q growth of yege-
tation that seems to deny5the fact that there ever had
been q droutb, or ever would be again. Feed is at q
discount, and there is not stock enough to eat the
hundredth part of it. II
But Notwithstanding all the rain, and the opi1S
ion of the old croakers, that the old times have
come again when it will rain all the year round,-
the Haiku Irrigating Canal Co, are pushing the
work forward under the management Of Messrs. Al
exander and Baldwin, in such 6 California fashion,
that the oldest inhabitant can only exclaim, 8 did I
ever = There are at work on the ditch some 200
persons, of all nationahties, castles and eoiorsS as to
their political or religious persuasion, | will refer
you to the 6 Cockroach Man. ss
g But joking aside, it is the most extensive and
expensive enterprise ever undertaken in this country,
and all credit is due to those who have taken the
matter in hand and are pushing it forward. II is q
far greater work. for this country, than the Pacific
railroad was for the United States. comparing the
wealth and population of the countries.
The gentlemen above referred to are now plow-
ing land on the commons to be irrigated by water
from the ditch, and will plant this year from 1900 to
1900 acres Of cane. 1t is understood they will erect
buildings, entirely ~hre-proof, and procure the very
best and latest improved machinery that can be pro-
duced. And the day is not far distant when the Iron
horse may be seen doing the work of the poor cattle
in breaking up the land and hauling the product to
the mill.
Report says that if the cane on the Waihee
plantation will continue to yield sugar as it is doing
at present, it will return to the purchasers the money
paid for it this year. Mr.. McDsde, the sugar boiler,
told me the quantity they are making daily-but as
I am not quite sure whether he said seven or eleven
tons every twenty-four hours-I will not state any
amount, but leave it for each one who pays his
money to take his choice"
"The year opens well for US up here with rains
that make glad the earth, and cause the face OF ma
ture to shine. Well, we have needed 'em; for, until
yesterday, (when three inches fell in twelve hours)
we have been treated to q sufficient lack Of water. So
far, the old mountain-on our side at east-has not
borne its customary night cap Of snow. nor have its
sides streamed with water as in former years. Speak
ing of water reminds me of your inquiry in reg ard
to the Haiku ditch. 1t is progressing finely, and
they have reached the hither side of Halehaku Gulch.
and in about three months more we may expect TO
hear of the ditch being finished. Those portions Of
the water course that are TO be piped,' will be com
pleted later, and the whole line will probably be
open in the early summer.
"Why would it not be a good idea for the govern
ment to have the ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
question definitely settled by having = competent
man make q SYSTEMATIC survey Of the district east Of
US? If enough water can be found. the work would
be q national triumph This district offers grand
opportunities for the cultivation of coffee, and if
Greenwell's figures are reliable it would make your
head swim to gaze on the profits likely to accrue to
those who 90 into that, and tree culture