The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1885-08-15

have been expressed regarding the avail
ability of the water supply on Honolulu
ranch in dry season. A careful exam
ination of the sources of supply in the
mountains, and the construction of dams
or reservoirs at convenient points in the
ravines, which could be made at trihing
cost, owing to the formation of the coun-
try, would store abundance of water for
all purposes, however dry the season;
and, indeed, should the project of . small
farm settlement be inaugurated, this Is
one of those necessary works which must
be undertaken. Springs appear to be
abundant and there are several streams,
while unmistakable evidence of under
ground water was visible to the expert
enced eye in various places. Wells have
been sunk at various elevations to test
the water reserve. One of these wells is
at an elevation of about 400 feet above
sea level. A windmill, by Byron Jack
son, of California, imported by Mr.. Dill
ingham, has been erected, and although
the well is only fifty feet deep, and about
thirty feet to water, this windmill pumps
sufficient water for all the stock pastur-
ing in the neighborhood. At an eleva-
ton of about 700 feet above sea level
flowing well has been opened, the stream
from which runs down to the Robinson
ranch, several miles distant. On the
fiat, near the homestead already spoken
of, there is an artesian well which has
had a steady flow of 2,4O0 gallons per
hour for years past. Considering the
immense watershed, and that the most
of the drainage of the Waianae mountains
| from the divide along to the Waianae
pail necessarily passes through the Hon
| ouliuli ranch, there should be no diff
Guilty in procuring an abundant supply OF
water for all purposes of agriculture. The
mountain SUBMITS are covered with rank
grasses, and Spanish clover appeared in
patches; but the sheltered slopes have
good deal of growing timber, and among
it few trees of sandal wood.
There is evidence ON all sides that this
ranch was once the home of a consider
able native population. Old tara patches
abound in the little valleys along the
margin of streams, and large quantities
of potatoes were raised on the dry land.
Smallpox carried off the bulk of these
people, according to an intelligent half
white who is employed as luna on the
estate. There is no reason, therefore,
why the same land should not, under
different conditions, support a large resi-
dent white population.
honolulu ranch was owned by Keka-
nonohi, high chiefess, who died and
devised it to her husband, Haalelea.
| On his death it went to his second wife,
who sold it to Mr.. j. III. Coney, from
whom Mr. James Campbell bought it
eight years ago for $95, GOO. AT that
time the ranch was greatly overstocked,
and it was imperative to give it a rest.
| Accordingly Mr.. Campbell set about
fencing the outer boundary where
nature did not provide sufficient bar
rier, as it does in the water frontage and
the impossible precipice along the divide
! in the Waianae mountains, which forms
| the boundary line of the ranch upon that
side Thirty miles of fencing in all
were built, of which twenty miles are OF
five feet 5-wire fence, and ten miles are
| of batten fence. When this work was
finished, Mr.. Campbell notified all own
ers of cattle to remove their stock. A
careful record was kept of this mastering
and removal of stock, and 80 ,347 head OF
! branded cattle were driven off. The
ranch was then left to recover for a year,
and the year following small herd was
introduced from the Kahuku ranch, the
numbers being gradually increased until
| it's present condition. Mr.. Campbell
slaughters ON an average six head of fat
cattle per day, to supply the Honolulu
market with beef The price per carcass
is from $50 to $35. AS already ex-
planned, this meat output could be large
ly increased, as there is always the Cali
fornia market available, dressed meat
being admitted duty free. Indeed, a
large cattle owner in this city is said to
have received an offer from the Coast for
regular monthly shipment of 250 car
cases of beef and 1000 sheep, but was
unable to fill the order. Transportation
in refrigerating chambers, however, will
be available when surplus beef pro-
duct has been created for export.
The ubiquitous Chinaman has taken
| hold of the rice lands in this neighbOr-
hood also, there being some 200 acres of
rice at present, of which about 80 acres
belong to Mr. Campbell, and are rented
at SIS per acre on short leases; $25 an acre
yearly has been agreed upon in one in
stance for a renewal of the lease, and all
| other leases are to be renewed on the
same terms. The right of fishing in the
western lagoon of Pearl harbor is also
leased by the owner, Mr.. Campbell; and
a lime quarry pays a rent and royalty. 1t
is needless to say that the property is
economically administered, and with
excellent results.