The Hawaiian gazette., 1882-09-13
A Malicious Persecution and Arrest.

Nh. EBuoE invite the attention Of the Pub
lie generally to read this article which will no
doubt prove very clearly hov incompetent some Of
our officials ara for their position.
On the Dairy Ranch owned by J. Il. Wood in
Nuuanu Valley, certain water courses flow which
assist materially in supplying the reservoir with
water to supply the people of Honolulu. There is
also certain ditch built on tine premises Of Mr..
Wood, which for many years the main water course
has flowed into, and the right of passage to a
small extent has supplied the ranch in question
as well as the residents in the neighborhood, but
in no wise affecting the same flow Of water which
has run its course into the reservoir for the
wauts-of the city. Some years back, Mr.. Wood,
at his own expense, dug a ditch on his own pre-
misses built and erected sluices, and in making
favorable supply for his own immediate wants,
the sluices assisted materially in beueftting the
wants of those in the neighborhoOd and did not
interfe re with the main ditch or water courses.
About u month ago. tue new Superintendent
visited the locality and built dam on Mr. Woods
property when the course Of the water was
changed. This deprived the neighbors in that
Locality from obtaining water. Shortly after
wards. some of the ueighb0rs, in their indignation
seeking justice, broke the said dam and turned
the course into Its original channel This new
Superintendent then changed it again, and built
guard Of some dozen native lab0reTs to watch it
and arrest any person found interfering. Now as
j am considerably interested in Mr.. Woods
Dairy Ranch business and having been so inter
ested for nearly two years, / feel this outrage
very keeuly especially When looked about me
and saw my cattle and stock without the great
uouushment of life / was furthermore satisfied
IN my mind that the injustice was done purely
from malicious motives against the owner, Mr..
Wood, whose rights the Superintendent thought
could be infuuged upon while he Is absent from
the kingdom. To further prove this malicious
ness on the part Of this new Superintendent, he
deliberately trespasses on Dir. Woods private
property. digs mp his land and takes the stones
from Mr. Woods stone fence to make this dam.
When ] saw the condition things were in, l took
my shade and began cutting away the dam,
while the half excited native laborers attempted
70 arrest me; II did not trouble me to laugh at
them, although / felt more like taking them two
by two and putting them IN the ditch but for
their unfortunate ignorant condition. The fol
lowing morning this newly qualified Superinten-
deut induced me TO consult with him and the I
Minister Of the Interior. They had previously
consulted with the Attorney General ON ths mat
ter in the Government building / was then and
there arrested. after gave the fullest eXpla-
nation Of my rights. Ehich never before have
been questioned OK usuTpcd. I was tried on
Friday Sept. lst, before Judge Bickerton, who
discharged me- there being no ground for action.
need not tell the public how bitterly these new
incambents endeayUTed 70 convict me.
One Of our former water Superintendcnts testi-
fed that he never considered be had a right to
tamper with the water course which had always
run thathf is ever found necessary, commits
sion would have 10 be appointed by the Govern
mcut. Thus is will be seen shat property owners
may expect vEie the reius are held in the hands
Of such officials. JinrEs W. HEGLn.