The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1878-10-12
Mr.. spreckles' Projected Enterprise on
Maui.

Since the Reciprocity Treaty with the United
States was ratified, its stimulating and beneficial
effects have been felt in every direction Of agrieul-
tural enterprise, and all kindred interests have
shared in the general prosperity. InfAnt planta-
lions have advanced 20 unexpected and great values,
and the numerous sales Of estates at almost hbu-
Ions figures are matters with which the public are
quite familiar.
Among the newly projected enterprises 10 the
way Of establishing sugar estates. that Of Mr.. c.
Spreckles. the well-known capitalist Of San Fran
cisco, takes q foremost place. not only from the
magnitude Of intended operations, but from the
collateral and Incidental benefits that will accrue
to the community and Kingdom generally. A
large and hitherto unproductiye region will be
brought under cultivation. thus yielding in various
ways its tribute TO increase the general revenue
Of the country. The heavy Investments Of a eau
tons business man like the gentleman here named,
win be sure 20 attract the attention Of other money
ed men, and we believe the time is not distant
when all the capital needed can be had here at n
rate Of interest much lower than we have heretofore
had to pay. Mr.. Watson, Of the Glasgow firm Of
Mlrrlees, TAFT & Watson, who was here on a visit
last winter and spring, expressed to us the opinion
that when it was known in England that such
cPAClNiAu NHHNAAulAtANo i0A INVESTMENT hNAN " w
found at these Islands. any amount Of money
would come here seeking. which would be readily
offered at a much lower rate than is now paid
Upon the return Of Mr.. Spreckles to San Fran
cisco, two or three steamers ago, he was inter-
viewed by q reporter Of the German newspaper,
California DemokrGi, to whom he gave the fol-
lowing outline Of his intended operations on Maui,
a translation OF which has been kindly furnished
us by one Of our friends. The article in the
Demokraf is headed Gigantic Enterprise at the
Sandwich Islands, and proceeds TO give the
following particulars:
Dir. Spreckles having great interests in the sugar
production Of the Islands, has n corresponding
Interest in the general prosperity Of the country.
He is convinced that there is a good deal Of land
here now lying idle, which is adapted to the pro-
dnction Of sugar. and he therefore gave the subject
much thought. The Island Of Maui appeared TO
have the most land. easily accessible. fitted for
sugar, if water for irrigation could be obtained.
Careful observation for the past year has shown
that the clouds passing over the mountains, with
the dew, gave an annual amount Of moisture
equivalent to a rainfall of 100 inches. This mois-
ture created many small streams, whose waters
were wasted by running into the sea, and the point
to be gained was to prevent this waste by diverting
the water from its natural channels and conveying
it to the low lands by bitches or canals, and using
it for irrigating purposes. The location which
Mr.. Spreckles has selected for his enterprise Is
situated in the middle Of the Island, is nearly fat,
and only in the winter has a little rain. About
two years ago, the visit here before the last Of Mr..
Spreckles, the idea struck him that these numerous
streams could be utilized in ~irrigating these fiat
lands. On his return to San Francisco Mt that
time, he at once consulted Mr.. ii. Schussler, one
of the ablest engineers on the coast, and asked him
to- take his project into consideration. Mr.. schuss-
Ter is a German by birth has the scientific bent Of
the German, added TO the quick practical applica-
ton of the American, and has planned many
successful engineering projects in California. lie
took Mr.. Spreckles' matter in hand, giving IL a
thorough examination. The complete success Of
the Haiku Sugar Co.'S ditch showed beyond perad-
venture what could be done by wise skill and
perseverance. This ditch is about 20 miles long,
and its water has served TO bring the plantations
of Makawao TO their present prosperous condition.
The scarcity Of raia has not been felt, for the ditch
gave the planters all the water they needed. and
they realized half a million Of dollars. instead Of
the ruin which threatened and would otherwise
have overtaken them.
After receiving the engineers opinion, Mr..
Spreckles at once went to work, and, in company
with Mr.. Schussler, sailed for this port in May,
last. On arrival here they Immediately visited the
place Of operation, viewed the larger streams which
are intended TO be used for the canal or ditch, and
promptly determined upon the plan 10 be followed.
A surveying party was organized, under the direc-
ton Of MIR. Sehussler, consisting Of an assistant,
eight natives. a japanese cook and a mule driver.
The kanakas carried the chains and stakes used,
and the cook and driver had for their duty 10 look
after the tent and camp e~quipage. After a good
breakfast, the party started, and going over the
mountain trail, they arrived at a little brook flowing
through beautiful shrubbery. plants and tropical
vegetation: Here the engineer pitched his tent,
and established his headquarters.
In less than two weeks Mr.. Schussler had an
exact survey of the whole canal route, which was
q gigantic work that could only have been accom-
plished by a scientific engineer in so short n time.
1t was necessary 10 locate and measure the ditch
line the necessary piping, and the strength re-
quired to stand the different pressures. lie had
also to ascertain the character Of the soil, its ability
to convey the water without loss, and to calculate
the cost of each part Of the work. The line Of the
ditch, which is intended to be about thirty miles,
is intersected by some thirty ravines or valleys.
The pipes will be so laid rs to receive the water Of
the numerous streams that may be crossed on the
route.
After the completion OF this survey. Mr.. Scbuss-
Ter obtained a Geographical outline of the land
upon which the ditch will debouch. il has an
area of two miles in width and ten miles in length,
and is known as the Wailukn and Waikapu Com
mons. This belt Of fine land appears to be
adapted for the production Of sugar,
and is bordeTed on two sides by the ocean, afford
ing Iaclllles lot SDlpplnR. Inc dltcu Will run
along the upper side Of The land, thus rendering
the work Of irrigation an easy matter.
At the suggestion Of the engineer, Mr.. S~preckles
has determined to build a gauge railroad
through the middle Of bis 20, 900 acres, with lateral
branches to the neighboring plantations, thus re-
ducing the transportation Of cane to a minimum
cost.
Through this enterprise. this hitherto unprOduc-
tive territory will be made 10 yield a revenue TO
the Hawaiian Government, but San Francisco will
also come in for a share Of the benefits 10 be
realized. The land 10 be brought under %cultiva-
ton by this canal, Mr.. S~preckles says. will produce
80, 900 tons Of sugar. As most Of the raw sugar
that goes from the Islands has 10 be refined. this
large increase will cause an additional demand
for labor in San Francisco.
The protector Of this enterprise has decided 10
use American iron and other material for the
carrying ont Of his works. which. the Demokr0t
says, is very patriotic and p~raisewortby on his
part. as he could have obtained English iron at a
cheaper rate. The material for the pipes and the
rivets is now being Manufactured in Eastern foun-
dries; but for the erection Of the mills and other
buildings. good mechanics will be- employed in