The Daily bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Hawaii]) 1882-1895, 1888-07-16


REPORTS OF COMMITTEES.
Rep. f. Brown reported from the
Printing Committee that one bill
was printed and ready for distribu-
tion.
Noble Baldwin reported from the
Finance Committee on the petition
from Hawaii, praying for an appro-
priation of 0,000 for supply of
water from the divide between Wal
pio and kohala, recommending that
a commission be appointed to lay
out the ditch, estimate the cost of
such an undertaking, the number
that will be benefited by such
ditch, and lands available for home
steads through which the ditch will
run and can be supplied with water
from the same, said commission TO
report the progress of their inVesti-
cations from time to time, and make
general report to the next session
of the Legislature. They also re-
commend an appropriation of S3 900
to defray the expenses of such a
survey. Adopted.
Rep. Paris presented minority
report from the Finance Committee
on the bill to regulate internal taxes,
recommending the passage of the
bill. The report was received and
laid on the table to be considered
with the majority report on the
same subject,
RESOLUTIONS AND BILLS.
Minister Green gave notice of
bill TO regulate the office of Tax As
SCISSORS and Collectors, and for the
assessing and collecting of taxes.
Minister Thurston read a first
time II bill to amend the law relating
to the Hawaiian Postal Savings
Bank. Referred to Printing Com
mittce.
Minister Green answered the ques-
ton of the Hon. Noble Widemann,
contained in his resolution of the
previous day. He stated that he
had given no special instructions to
the parties named in the resolution,
either directly or through the tax
assessor, relative to the assessment
of taxes, except in two cases of
bankers in Honolulu, (the only two)
when the question came up as to
whether the law called upon them
to return the list of their depositors
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 pro-
position that the law obliged them
to do so. The question was brought
before the Cabinet, and it was de-
cided that the law did not so COM
pei them to pay taxes on the amount
of deposits. One of the main
grounds urged, and which the Cab
met recognised as valid, being that
they had no such amount on hand,
but that the money was lent out to
other parties. He personally saw
Mr.. Damon of Bishop & Co., and
Mr.. VIM. G.. Irwin of Claus Spreck-
els & 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 the much
larger amount standing to the credit
of the depositors.
The usual printed instructions ac-
companied the assessment list, but
there is nothing in this instructing
the "parties" named in the resolu-
ton, except the general statement
that ''parties" having property be-
longing to others in their possession,
are assessed for the value thereof,
and may recover the amount of tax
paid, from the owners. By the same
assessment list each party is shown
to be expected to return for himself
cash in bankers or agents hands.
Noble Widemann moved to accept
this report, have it translated and
made the special order of the day
this day week. He considers that
it essentially alters the law as it now
exists on the statute books.
Minister Ashford stated that he
should ask to have the matter refer
red to the Judiciary Committee, as
it is a matter that involves the inter-
probation of section of the law.
The Ministry have put such con-
struction as is contained in the
answer from the Minister of Finance.
They may be wrong, and the five
lawyers constituting the Judiciary
Committee are able to decide whether
or not the Ministry have interpreted
the law Alright.
Rep. G. Brown said he did not
think that the Judiciary Committee
should be obliged to interpret the law
for the Cabinet. If the Ministers think
that their construction of the law is
not correct, they should refer the
matter to the Supreme Court foI
their decision, and not drag down
the Court into the House by refer
ring such Il matter to the Judiciary
Committee.
Noble Widemann's motion was
carried.
Noble Hitchcock gave notice of q
bill to abolish the passport system
and also the tax of $500 for people
entering the kingdom.