Saturday press. [volume] (Honolulu, H.I.) 1880-1885, 1885-06-20


out occuiar demonstration. There are few
such good roads on the island
Mr.. Rycrof believes that carriage road
a railway even--may be constructed from
Pohoiki to the Volcano House more advan-
tageously than from another point The
actual distance is less than ~ miles, and the
route is so direct that road may be built
there, including turns, Of less than II miles in
length, and with gradual rise as 10 be al
most "trotting grade all the way.
1t is worth noting that in the 2 miles of
completed road at pohoiki running straight
towards the hills, there is only ara feet rise.
Mr.. Rycroft so firmly believes in the prac
ticability Of making such a road that he is
willing to undertake a contract to complete,
and keep in order for two years, road Of the
character above described, at least rs feet wde
for S. 600 mile. OF course, it is for legislators
to determine whether the country can afford to
make such an investment as the Kilauca
Pohoiki road would be- The value Of direct
carriage way-less than 30 miles long, and
most Of it through a wooded and beautiful
region--would be great. But ii is not for
newspaper writer's to decide. In my opinion
the road would be worth the building for the
above stated reasons alone. But there are
| other and better reasons. Back of Pohoiki is
much open country. on which Portuguese and
other settlers might be located. cannot do
better than print letter written by Mr..
Rycroh on this topic during last February and
| printed in the Advertiser
al have seen several references made in the
newspapers lately relative to the settlement Of
Portuguese immigrants who have finished
their contracts. or course, i, is Of vital i'm
portancc to the country, as we all know, to
offer inducements 10 these people to settle as
small farmers amongst us.
"Now, in the district of Puma, there are
thousands Of acres Of good land lying UNI
occupied which could be obtained for a reason.
able price. Though rough volcanic country,
there are numerous kipukas, or openings OF
good, deep soil, surrounded by IA, thickly
studded with timber. There is one within
three miles Of the boat-landing of Pohoki, at
an elevation of 1000 feet, containing 500
acres in one patch, and several smaller ones
close at hand. OF the largest one par, is
owned by natives, part by the government,
and par, by myself 1t is good land for grow
ing Irish or sweet potatoes, bananas, oranges,
taro, corn, pia, ava, in fact anything that
will grow on the islands, and could be cut to
advantage into small farms or homesteads.
" There is good wagon-road already half
way from the landing to this place, and the
balance could be made easily.
" Surrounding these openings is natural
formation (viz., rich soil and aa) for the cult
walton Of coffee, olives, the grape vine, or figs
1.-THE drying Of which lastnamed article would
make good business)
" II the Portuguese are inclined 10 settle on
the Islands, small colony could be started in
this place without much difficulty. Frequent
rains ensure plenty Of water.
This is only one place but it is the
nearest to road and landing that is available.
To my personal knowledge, there is enough
good land in Puma lying idle to settle every
Portuguese family in the Kingdom"
visited the large kipuka of which Mr..
Rycroft writes. In part Of it was growing the
most uxuriant tange of ii plants and climbing
fernsI have ever seen. On the sides Of one or,wo
gullies, where heavy rains had made temporary
streams, I noted a reddish-br soil full,
two feet deep, oranges, marses pes, rose apples,
coffee, ava and upland taro were growing in
places. am told by Mr.. c. N. Arnold tina,
there is much similar country among the hills
towards Hilo. Others tell like story.
hope Mr.. Canavarro and those interested in
keeping the Portuguese in the country will
visi, Puma and look into its possibilities.
pohoiki is said to be remarkably calm
landing place. Mr.. Rycroft says that durint
the pas, seven years vessels attempting to lane
have been prevented by rough weather onl,
twice.
In addition to his frewood cutting, Mr.
!. Rycroit does little timber saving. He il
able 10 get out ties, posts or planking fo
vessels. Ohia and kamani are his best tmbe
woods. He has small mulay saw.mill begun
, in 1882, employing a side-cuttng saw, made
by Chandler & Taylor, Indianapolis, Indiana
, driven by a 10 horsepower engine, made b,
the Honolulu Iron Works.
What astonished ME more than anythin,
else at Pohoiki was the apparent fertility o
. the old IA flow, in which so many trees, self
planted and transplanted, were CROWN,
= thrifty. The mystery was solved by Mr.
;, Rycrof,, who removed few OF the bare uppe
rocks and showed me thin but evidently ricl
= :, layer Of black aluvium beneath the surfac
: rocks. "The leaves and grasses fall, wther
: decay and are washed down by the rain
> below the surface rocks, making rick. warn
: yet moist soil, needing no cultivation ate
planting" From what have seen Of the frui
:, trees growing in Puma, should say that man
;, ton Of tropical fruit might be grown there a
y prof, il steam communication with northern
ports offered.
Near Pohoiki, on OF no, far from the pro
posed road to the volcano, l saw two ex,inc
, cratcrs, bowl-shaped and completely in.grow
: with ohias and other trees, have no dimen
sions Of them, and shall not attempt I
guess; but the ride to see them is wei
: worth taking by any one who chances to pas
Pohoiki
Al Pohoiki I saw why laziness and IN
!, average Puma native are pretty nearl
" synonymous. Twill take deal Of lcven I
: even that lazy lump.
: On my way to Hilo spent nigh, wit
Captain Eldar, and had bath in his justl
noted warm spring. Captain Eldar's stoc
ranges include some 10000 acres, two.third
of !, lava, partially timbered. or all there
y about 6,oooacres Of good grazing land.
Near Captain Eldans saw the famou
:" . sculp,ured tablet Of Professor Moods.
= there be anything Spanish OF foreign about 4
y am much mistaken.
~ Sooner and ! made the q miles to Hilo /
- Just " hours greatly To the disgust Of IN