The Hawaiian gazette., 1888-06-19

ID. u.
the owners of stock ranch at Waialua Tor
a refund of SIG, taxes illegally collected by
J.. Amara, tax collector. Referred to
Finance Committee. E
Rep. A. S. Wilcox presented petition
from Keaha for refund of S., taxes paid
twice. Referred to Finance Committee.
Noble Richardson read petition relating
to a mail carrier between Kaanapali and
Labaina. Referred to the Minister of In
terror.
Rep. Kalaukoa presented 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. G. Brown, for judiciary committee,
reported on the bill to amend section 1888
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 petition
L
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
90 II, 81 - = ,aT
dom, with draft of new election law both
of which were read by title, 9Th inst. The
report and bill are in pamphlet form. in
both languages, making a book of 131
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-
thority of section 1886 of the Civil Code.
In reply to the End question, l 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 l take it,
no authority in the premises, any opinion
which l might express in the matter would
be 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. ]. Mccarthy, referred to in Rep.
Hustace'S questions.
Rep. Hustace moved that this reply be
referred to select committee, with in
efr 10 fha for roin
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. G. Brown moved the report be laid
on the table. If any amendments to ex-
listing laws are needed we would undoubt-
eddy have heard it from the government.
1t is beneath the dignity OF the house to
| take cognisance of any squabble or diff
| 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 its
members, but the grievances, if any, of the
firemen 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 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
ority or control over the members or ofh-
GERS of the dep8 .tment. 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
| connected with the Government should be
/ subject to some responsible head, and
| while large measure of self-control might
well be left with the department, there
should be at least right of appeal, and
some measure of control of the expendi-
lures. A remedy may be found for this
by reference to q committee and | there
fore favor that course.
Noble Townsend said there ought always
to be some recourse for minority especi-
| ally if imposed upon. Should the chief
engineer overstep his authority, there does
not appear to be any means of redress.
Rep. c.. Brown submitted that there was
nothing before the House. The Minister
had answered and there was an end of the
| matter.
The President ruled that Rep. Hustace's
motion was in order.
An appeal was made from this ruling,
but the President was sustained.
The resolution was adopted and com
mittee appointed, consisting of Reps; Hus-
tace and Dowsett, Mobiles Foster, Young
and Townsend.
Minister Thurston made the following
statement on the petition relative to the
letter carrier at Kaanapali.
The petition prays;
l. That the letter carrier from Lahaina
to Kaanapali be paid every Friday
g The information is conveyed that the
pay is 81 so week which is equivalent to
So a month.
8. That the present incumbent of this
lucrative office is a policeman, and that
petitioners want him removed and another
man by the name of bill Nakooka" be
appointed.
No reasons are assigned for any of the
prayers.
Your committee are of opinion that the
management of the detail of the several
bureaus should be left to the respective
| heads thereof In case sueh officers shall