The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1886-05-11

To Hrs MAJESTY THE KING IN CABINET
CoUNCIL-Sire: The undersigned Commit
tee appointed by Your Majesty to investi-
gate and report upon the cause of the fire
which devastated a large portion of the
city of Honolulu, on the 18th day of April
ultimo would respectfully state that hav-
ing made due inquiry into the matters for
which they were appointed, and examined
all the testimony available, and having
also obtained valuable assistance and sug-
gestions from the Chief Engineer of the
Fire Department and his Assistants, as
also from other citizens of experience,
they, the Committee, do find
First-The fire started in back room in
the upper story of the two-stOry wooden
building, situate on the easterly corner of
Hotel street and Smiths lane, the lower
story of the building being occupied as
restaurant.
Second-The cause is somewhat uncer-
tain The Chinese examined state as their
belief that gambling game or lottery, IN
which large number of tickets were used,
was in progress. A dispute arose, and the
tickets were seized by one of those present
and thrust into a fire, which was burning
in the room A scuffie then ensued, dur
ing which the fire was scattered over the
floor, and in a moment the room was in
blaze. Some twenty or more Cinnamon
were seen running out from the upper
story when the fire broke out.
Third-As to the reason of the fire being
so quickly uncomfortable:
(a) The streets were too narrow to per-
NIT the Fire Department to work to adj
vantage in the commencement.
| (b) The blocks of houses were too large
and compact, the distance from street to
street was too great, and the modes of in
gress difficult, and during a fire, danger
! Gus.
(c) The overhanging balconies or veran-
das projecting into the streets proved fire
traps and ready means of spreading the
fire.
(d) The storage of gunpowder, kerosene,
and other combustibles was greatly in ex-
cess of the amount allowed by law.
(e) The inflammable nature of large
/ proportion of the Chinese merchandise,
such as the different varieties of food pre-
4 served in oil, etc.
( Fourth-As to the Water Supply: The
| water mains on Beretania, Hotel and King
| streets are too small to supply the steam
/ fire engines now in use, and the fire plug:
/ are wholly inadequate, being only II
inches diameter.
I Fifth-Our Fire Department worked
heroically, and their efforts were bravely
seconded by the officers and crews OF thu
British men-of-war Heroine" and 'Satel
lite" by our native troops, and by ou
citizens generally.
Sixth-The present apparatus and equip
ment with, perhaps, an additional suppl!
of hose, is amply sufficient for our presen
requirements.
And YOUR Committee would now mos
respectfully recommend as follows, viz.
! That the widening and Strengthening OF tn
A streets in the burnt district, and the open
ing of new ones therein, in accordance wit
the recommendation of the Jury, duly az
4 pointed for that purpose, be carried on
q fully and promptly.
That the limit for fire-proof buildings b
e extended to cover as much OF the burn
district as possible.
That fire walls be erected at proper fixe
e distances in that part of the burnt dlstri'
:, where it may be proposed to allow tn
erection of wooden buildings.
That the water mains be all increased ]
n size, more especially those on the stree
n running parallel with the water front; an
the Nuuanu street main be increased fro
II to IS inches; that upright fire hydrant
', with at least two 21z-inch openings,
adopted throughout the city; and that a
ditional cisterns be built.
That the building of Over-hanging vera
T das on the street fronts be absolutely pr
=; hibited.
That the law governing the storage
e. kerosene be amended; that the area al
'IP quantity allowed be more clearly define
Iss and then that the requirements of the Ia
he strictly enforced.
In the matter of fire limits, your COZ
~ mittee would further recommend that t
ar limits for fire-proof buildings be extend
Do towards Waihki-from the present linn
800 to Punchbowl street-for all buildin
20 used for business purposes.
es An of which is respectfully submitted
(CHAs T. GULIcK, Charm,
O. ALEX. J. CARTWRIGHT,
S eI, Committee s. NJ. DAMON,
in c. f. WILLIAMS,
ce c. d. BERGER.