The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1888-06-16

Rep. G. Brown presented petition from
the owners of a stock ranch at Waialua for
a refund of SIG, taxes illegally collected by
], Amara, tax collector. Referred to
Finance Committee.
Rep. A. S. Wilcox presented a petition
| from Keaha for refund of So, taxes paid
| twice. Referred to Finance Committee.
Noble Richardson read petition relating
to a mail carrier between Kaanapali and
Lahaina. Referred to the Minister of In
| terror.
Rep. KalaukOa presented a petition from
! Honolulu praying for an extension of
Liliha street to Wylie street. Referred to
| committee on public lands and internal
improvements.
REPORTS OF COMMITTEES.
Rep. c. Brown, for judiciary committee,
reported on the bill to amend section 1858
of the Civil Code, recommending new
| section, with which committee recommend
that the bill pass.
(Signed) c. Brown, w. R. Castle, w. A.
Kinney, D. H. Hitchcock, John Richard
son. The report was laid on the table to be
considered with the bill.
Rep. Helekunihi presented a petition
from IL. 2. Halama, for $3.50, on account
of double taxes paid. Referred to Finance
Committee.
Noble Young presented further report
on the military, recommending an amend
ment to regulate the tenure of office of the
Colonel and with this that the bill pass.
Laid on the table to be taken up with the
bill.
Noble Castle presented the report of the
commission appointed by the Legislature
of 1886 upon the election laws of the King
dom, with draft of a new election law, both
of which were read by title 9th inst. The
rpnOrt and hill n3mnhIpt form. |
both languages, making book of l3l
pages.
ANSWERS BY MINISTER.
Minister Thurston in answer to the ques-
tiOns of Rep. HuStace, read the following:
In answer to the 1st question | would re-
ply that the action of the Chief Engineer
appears to have been taken under the au
thOrty OF section 335 of the Civil Code.
In reply to the 2nd question [ would say
that the statute regulating the fire depart
ment does not apparently contemplate any
interference or control on the part of the
Minister of the Interior in the internal
management of the department, such
management being left to the members
of the department.. Having, as | take it,
no authority in the premises, any opinion
which | might express in the matter would
be a personal one only and therefore of no
consequence.
Appended to the Minister'S answer is a
detailed statement by Chief Engineer
Wilson relating to the case of foreman
G. J. Mccarthy, referred to in Rep.
Hustace's questions.
Rep. Hustace moved that this reply be
referred to a select committee, with in
StruCtiOnS to report upon the facts therein
involved, and also whether the efficiency
of the Honolulu Fire Department requires
any amendment to the statutes, relating to
the same, and if SO, what amendments?
Rep. &. Brown moved the report be laid
on the table. If any amendments to ex-
listing law needed WOnl6 nnHOnht-
edly have heard it from the government.
1t is beneath the dignity OF the house to
take cOgnisance of any Squabble or diff
Guilty arising among members of the fire
department. The department is under
the charge of the Minister of Interior, and
he is fully capable of dealing with the mat
ter at issue. The questions have been an
swered and that is the end of it.
Rep. Kinney did not agree with the hon
Orable member for Koolau. The fire de-
partment is an important division of the
public service. He would not like to take
part in personal difficulties between it's
members, but the grievances, if any, of the
iremen ought to command attention. A |
feud had arisen among them and as re-
suit there is danger of companies breaking |
up. The latter part of the resolution |
offered by the member for Honolulu is of |
value, and he would support it. He |
thought, however, that the time has come |
when there ought to be small paid force. |
At the same time, no harm can come of |
referring the matter to a committee.
Rep. Hustace gave reasons for his reso-
luton. The laws applying to the fire de-
partment are not as they should be.
Minister ThurstOn said that he wished
to correct a statement made by the mem
Der from KOOlaulOa, that the Minister of
the Interior has authority to control such
matter as this; during the past six months |
he, several times, had occasion to refer to
the law so that he was familiar Herewith. |
Under the law, the Minister has no auth
GRITTY or control over the members or Off
GERS of the department. The Fire Depart
ment is, by the law, self-gOverning body,
and not subject to the control of any mem
Der of the Government. | do not think
this is as it should be; every department
with the Government should be
subject to some responsible head, and
while large measure of self-COntrOl might
we'll be left with the department, there
should be at least right of appeal, and
some measure of control of the eXpendi-
ures. A remedy may be found for this
~ reference to a committee and l there
ore favor that course.
Noble Townsend said there ought always
% be some recourse for minority, especi-
Ally if imposed upon. Should the chief
engineer overstep his authority, there does
lot appear to be any means of redress.
Rep. G.. Brown submitted that there was
nothing before the House. The Minister
lad answered and there was an end of the
natter.
The President ruled that Rep. Hustace's
notion was in order.
An appeal was made from this ruling,
)ut the President was sustained.
The resolution was adopted and com
nittee appointed, consisting of Reps. Hus-
ace and Dowsett, Mobiles Foster, Young
md Townsend.
Minister ThurstOn made the following
on the petition relative to the
etter carrier at Kaanapali.
The petition prays:
l. That the letter carrier from Lahaina
O Kaanapali be paid every Friday.
2 The Information is conveyed that the
,ay is 81 so week which is equivalent to
6 month
3. That the present incumbent of this
lucrative office is a policeman, and that
petitioners want him removed and another
nan by the name of Bill NakOoka" be
ppointed.
No reasons are assigned for any of the