The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1882-05-20

HIS Excellency the Minister of the Interior in
answer to a resolution introduced on Saturday,
asking for certain information regarding the
amounts appropriated toward the building of the
kalihi and Nuuanu Pail roads, stated he could
not furnish the information desired regarding
the Kalihi road and extension Of Queen street.
The matters connected with the Kalihi road had
been entirely in the hands Of his predecessor,
and he had been unable to obtain any satisfac-
tory information regarding It,. With TegaId to
the Pail road he would state that he had had a
survey made by a competent engineer. The
draft OF q road Of very easy grade, one on which
large wagons could easily come up, was now in
his possession, and the estimated cost of this
NuuanU Pail road would be forty to forty-fve
thousand dollars. Received the survey reports
about the middle of the last March, but as the
law says that after the 3lst of March no monies
could be paid out ON improvements of that kind,
he did not allow work to be commenced. II
law had permitted would have had men at work
on the road now.
Hon. Mr.. Pahia said that he understood the
amount appropriated for the Pail road had been
transferred TO the Palace account.
Hon. member from Koolaupoko, also desired
to know If the real reason for the delay in the
construction Of the Pail road, was not on ac-
count Of the money being spent on the Palace
and, if the money had been SO spent, he desired
an opinion from His ExcelleEcy. as Attorney
General, regarding the legality of the act Of
transfer.
Hon. Mr.. Armstrong III answer stated that he
considered the Ministers were fully authorized
10 make the transfers, although not altogether
just. yet the action was legal, and was not an
error OF the Ministry. but the result of bad law.
Law very loose and places the Ministers III en-
barrassing positions at all times. If there was
no law to allow transfers, the proper course would
be plain-to stop work.
Hon. Noble Kaai thought ii useless for the
Assembly 10 make laws If the Ministers continue
to do Just as they please. He desired ~ know
wherein the law was loose.
Hon. Mr.. Armstrong said, ia the authority
given To- transfer Appropriations. he thought ii
gave the Ministers power to defeat the wishes of
the Legislature.
Hon. Noble Kaai that the laws regarding trans
fers were perfectly plain, they allowed that APP
preparations of the same natHr, only, be trans
ferred, one TO the other. VIZ. roads to roads.
bridges to bridges, etc. tie believed that
Ministers had gone beyond their powers ia
taking the Pail Appropriation and transferring
1t to the Palace. He thought that the assembly
had been Insulted by the little notice taken OF
the laws made relating to the transfer Of Appro-
priltiOns.
Hon. Noble Bishop, rose to IA point of order
and said he thought the discussion now being in
dulged in was contrary L" the Rules.
President Rhodes ruled tAe discussion out of or
der, but the Minister OF Foreign Affairs desiring
To speak on the subject obtmned the permission
OF the House to do SO.
Hon. Mr.. Green stated that he was sorry that
Mr.. Carter was not present to explain for him
sell WHY the L III INbtl IidA . DtGD Quill, Dui
lac was. assured that it was with no intention to
disregard the wishes OF the Assembly. He was
aware of'the fact that Mr.. Carter had made in
quiry regarding the cost of building the road
over the Pail, and that he had found theAppro-
p~riation toe small TO carry the work through. If
commenced. He appealed 10 the House if it
would not have been injudicious TO have COM
meuced the work with too small an Appropria-
ton. The smallpox epidemic came on the com
munity at the time and and 1t was useles to think
of carrying ont this proposed Improvement.
Hon. Mr.. KaulUkou interrupted by telling Hon.
Mr.. Green: that even during the smallpox pc
Rod there was Il gang of Cinnamon working on
that road and if they could work, others could.
He thought that no excuse.l
Hon. Mr.. Green closed by saying that Mr..
Armstrong, the Minister of the Interior Gd IN
isrIm, had obtained the only good survey of the
Pail road ever made. and if the members desired
IT would be produced for their inspection. He
was entirely willing to share any blame which
might be attached to Mr.. Carter in the matter.
Hon. Mr. Aholo agreed with the President
that the discussion was out OF order and thought
1t proper to place n motion before the Assembly.
The Hon. member then moved to adjourn.
Carried.