The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1888-07-17

To estimate the cost OF constructing Ger
tain natural basins on the slope between
Waimea and Hamekua into storage reser
voirs. and the amount of water that may
thus be stored.
To make an estimate from time to timt
OF the amount of water in the streams thai
may be obtained for said ditch.
To estimate the amount Of Government
land that will lie below said line Of ditch
the nature of these lands. ana how much
will make good homestead lots; also, as
certain the number of farmers and Other
classes OF people now residing in Hamakua
that will be benefited by such ditch.
Said Commission to report at the next
regular session of the Legislature.
1t will be necessary for the Legislature
to appropriate, say 5000, to enable the
Commission to make the necessary sur
veys. Respectfully submitted,
(Signed) H. P. BALDWIN,
Jos. U. KAwAIEUI,
]. d. PARIS, Jk.,
A. s. WILCOX,
H. A. WIDEMANN.
The report was adopted.
Rep. T. Brown reported bill printed.
Rep. Paris read his minority report of
the Finance Committee on the bill to
amend Chapter KILL, session laws of
1882, obllging teachers, clergymen and
paid soldiers to pay personal taxes. In
answer to the main argument of the ma
jorty of committee, the minority thinks
that teachers, clergymen and soldiers are
better able to pay personal taxes than a
large portion of the laboring classes of our
population. Nor is it just that these men
with regular salaries to depend on should
be exempt, while the poor laborer, who is
out of work or whose crop has failed, is
compelled to pay his taxes or work them
out at the rate of 25 cents per day.
(Signed) ]. D. PARIS, in.
Laid on the table. to be considered with
the majority report and the bill.
NOTICES OF NEW BILLS
Minister Green gave notice of bill: to
amend and regulate the law relating to the
appointment and tenure of Office of Tax
Assessors and Tax Collectors, and the as
sessment and collection of taxes.
Noble Hitchcock gave notice of bills;
To amend Chapter LYI. of the Penal
Code, entitled an Act to prevent married
persons from deserving one another.
Relating to the passport system.
To abolish the Act making foreigners
entering the Kingdom pay two dollars tor
hospital tax.
MINISTER ANSWERS QUESTIONS.
Minister Green reported on the resolu-
ton of Noble Widemann, adopted on Mon
day, relative to Ministerial instructions to
tax assessors, bankers and others:
l beg to state that | have given no
special instructions to the above named
parties, either directly or through the tax
assessor, relative to the assessment of
taxes, except in the cases of bankers in
Honolulu 1.-THE only two), wnen the ques-
ton came up as to whether the law called
upon them to return the list of their de-
positors, and to pay the taxes on the
amount deposited, charging the same to
the depositors Both these bankers,
Messrs. Bishop & Co. and Claus Spreckels
& Co., disputed the proposition that the
law obliged them to do so. The question
was brought before the Cabinet, and it was
decided that the law did not so compel
them to pay taxes on the amount of de-
posits, one of the main grounds urged and
which the Cabinet recognized as valid,
being that they had no such amount on
hand, but that the money was lent out to
other parties. | personally saw Mr.. Da-
mon, OF Bishop & Co., and Mr.. VIM. Irwin,
OF Claus Spreckels & Co., and agreed with
them, in accordance with the decision OF
the Cabinet, that they should return their
actual cash on hand and pay taxes upon
that and not upon the much larger amount
standing at the credit of the deposltors.
The usual printed instructions accompa-
MED the assessment list, but there is moth
ing in this instructing the parties named
in the resolution, except the general state
ment that parties having property belong
ing to others in their possession are as
sessed for the value thereof, and may re-
cover the amount of tax paid from the
owners" By the same assessment list
each party is shown to be expected to re-
turn, for himself, cash i'll bankers or
agents hands"
Noble Widemann moved the Minister'S
statement be made special order for
18th inst.
Minister Ashford moved it be referred to
the Judiciary Committee. 1t is question
of construction of the law. The Cabinet
may have put a wrong construction of the
law; if so, the Judiciary Committee will
be able to show it.
Noble Widemann hoped this affair would
have ample publicity, so that every one
may know what to expect in future.
Rep. Brown did not think the Judiciary
Committee should have the duty imposed
upon them OF interpreting the law for the
Cabinet. If the latter had any doubt as to
the meaning of the law, it was competent
for them to obtain the opinion OF the Su-
preme Court.
Minister Thurston said this is not a
question that originated with the Cabinet.
1t arose out of question to the Minister
OF Finance. The course taken by the Min
lister was that decided on by the Cabinet as
the right one, If the House thinks differ
emily, it is for them to say so.
Noble Richardson moved that the Minis
ter's answer be translated and printed.
Carried, and the matter made special
order for Tuesday next.
NEW BILL.
Minister Thurston read, first time,
bill relating to the Postal Savings Bank.
ORDER OF THE DAY.
The Governor Bills. Second reading of
the Bill introduced by the Attorney Gen
eral TO abolish the Office OF Governor.
Considered with the majority and minority
reports of the Judiciary Committee there
on, the substitute bill of said majority re-
ating to the Office of Governor and the
duties appeTtaining there, and also sundry
petitions for and against abolishing the
office
The majority report appeared, slightly
in the ADVERTISERS account
Of proceedings of June 3d. and an alb
stract Of the minority report, in the pro-
eeedings of June 28th.)
After providing tor the appointment,
qualifications and tenure of office of g ov-
errors, the Bill submitted by the majority
avs down the duties of the office, in addi-
lion to those now devolving upon them by
aW, in the following section:
Section T. Each Governor shall person
ally visit each election district OF his island
At least twice in each year and inspect and
report from time to time to the Minister of
The Interior the condition Of all school
houses, court houses, iails, pounds, roads