The Hawaiian gazette., 1886-09-28

On motion, the Assembly resolved into Com
mittee of the Whole, Hon. ]. Z. Bush in the chair
and proceeded with the consideration of the Ap
preparation bill.
we're all read and passed bill ordered to engross
ment and for third reading on Monday, the 9th
! instant.
J The order of the day now being moved, the con-
sideration of the bill relating to lighting the city
/ by electricity was taken up.
/ The Attorney General said the House had asked
! whether there was any legal bar in the way to
prevent the Government entering into another
contract to light the streets by electricity while
there was already contract The last contract
for lighting was entered into with Mr.. Fish
bourne on March 18th, 1886. 1t was given to the
contractor without formality of submission to the
Privy Council. He considered the contract, while
not void, was voidable, and would not prevent the
Minister of the Interior entering into another con-
tract.
Representative Brown took issue with the At
torney-General 1t was not necessary to submit
the contract to the Privy Council as it was not
within its province. All that was necessary was
reference to Cabinet Council.
Representative Kalua said if the contract was
made under the Appropriation Bill, the Minister
had 10 right to make contracts beyond the bien-
MEL period. He therefore did not think the con
tract was binding.
The Attorney-General said, in answer to Rep.
Brown that he based his opinion in the matter on
the Act of 1878 which could be found on page GIL
of the Compiled Laws.
Representative Baker said that he was sure that
if the bill remained up for discussion it would
pass but to avoid talk he concluded that he would
tie string onto its tail and withdraw it.
The Minister of Interior said the matter had ar
rived at that state when he could speak distinctly
The supply of water and light are the two most
important needs of a city, whether large or small
In the supply of water the Government had i.aken
charge of it for the benefit of the people and it
had gradually improved until now II stood third
as a source of revenue. The Water Works were
gradually increasing value and he felt satisfied
that before long the revenue would not fall short
of $4,000. The lighting of the city and houses
was becoming matter of Importance All knew
the risk and danger of kerosene lamps in our
houses. Every housekeeper would be delighted to
find that instead of filling lamps, trimming Wicks
and running risk of accidents, all they would
have to do would be to strike match and at once
get beautiful light, far in advance of anything
they had had before The need is pressing. Men
of enterprise were coming forward and pressing
the Government The Government appreciated
the value of the ho1sekeeper having light as well
as water. He was of the opinion that there was
no need of any additional legislation, the Govern
ment, in his opinion was fully authorized under
the Act of 1878 to enter into contract on slbmis-
sion to the Privy Council. The Government
might have to ask the Legislator Tor means to
carry 1t out. He thought under the circumstances
the bill was hardly called for, and moved it be
laid upon the table. Motion carried.
Representative Dickey rose to a question of
privilege and stated that, on Friday last, during
the debate on the Electric BILL he used the follow
ing words: "The appearance of the whole thing
looked like job" He desired to withdraw that
statement, as upon examination he found it to be
the reverse.
Hon. J. o. Dominis reported from the Commit
tee on Enrolment that His Majesty had signed
the bill fixing the fee for marriage license 81 in
place of % cents, as heretofore.
at 4:lO the Assembly adjourned until $50 a. u.
of the next day.