The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1886-11-24

ABOUT ROADS AND BRIDGES.

We are somewhat reluctant to again
advert to the condition of the leading
thoroughfares of the city and suburbs, as
well as to the very wretched condition of
country roads. 1t seems almost useless
to do So nevertheless the public good
demands such notice on the part of the
newspaper press. The discomfort and
inconvenience caused by the late rains
were felt by everyone; but this was not
all. Considerable loss was caused by
the almost impossible thoroughfares in
terrupting the regular course of business.
Now, inasmuch as all this was prevent
ible, some one is to blame for it, and we
think that the responsibility should be
brought home to the proper quarter.
The money which was expended on the
highways and by-ways of Honolulu, if it
had been judiciously applied of late
years, should have given the taxpayers
much better roads, and although it is
useless to cry over split milk as
general rule, it is always advisable to
take precautions against continuous
splitting At least that is the view we
are inclined to take of the situation.
His Excellency the Minister of,oanst
Interior is primarily responsibility safe
course he cannot To- Tn
himself Yes, Tn in good healtoIe, but o
oBse.s.ssss5--ET What is your box after the detail
2 ApPlicant-Im a.! RsSIa very capable staff o
AgencL9 s2i5wever, and if they receive in
- .1ol-uctions we have no doubt the worl
will be done. The taxes are now com
ing in and there should be money in the
Treasury for this purpose, or at least II
make start with. The Legislature las
session passed laws which are now il
force that should simplify matters con
siderably. One of these was analyzeC
in the ADVERTISER a few days ago. w
refer to the law for establishing grades
in Honolulu. As we then stated, tn
work contemplated by that Act has beer
already done and paid for, and it remain
for His Excellency Mr. Aholo to appoin
a Commission of Civil Engineers to ap
prove it as required by law. This done
a beginning may be made with the side
walks of the city, which are now in
great many places far worse than tn
muddy roads. The road beds should ais
be scientifically constructed. 1t will pa
in the end to do so. Hereto
fore the road beds have nc
been properly built. They seen
idea whatever of their intended use, an
without reference to the material O
climate. Subsequent darning and patch
ing have been conducted on the sam
plan of wasteful inutility.
The country roads are also in a yer
bad and even dangerous state. 1t is S
throughout the entire group without ex
ception. In many places wheel vehicle
cannot travel over roads which wer
in fair condition a few years ago
and travel after dark nearly anywher
is practically suspended. Bridges anC
cuIverts have fallen into decay; sid
channels for drainage have been he
elected, and the storm water has cut on
channels for itself in the rOadways to tn
interruption of traffic. As the season
promises to be a wet one, the prospec
before country residents is not pleasant
For this reason we say that the first dut.
of the Government is to improve tn,
streets of the city, and put the cOuntr!
roads and bridges into at least safe
condition as speedily as possible, leaving
more comprehensive improvements 20
more favorable condition of the weather