The Daily bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Hawaii]) 1882-1895, 1890-07-26

HANGING the value Of landed property along the lne would
the extension of the railway remote
localities and perhaps ultimately its extension around the
entire Island of Oahu.
With this end in view, the undersigned under your in
sructions, made careful reconnaissance around the island
for the purpose of determining the feasible route and
arriving at an approximate estimate of its cost.
We found the most practical route to be that along
near the coast which route, at the time by
far the greater portion of the improved and unmproved
arabic lands the island The distance found be
1872 miles, of which 10 miles completed and in
operation The distance might be decreased about Is miles
by running the road the divide between Eva and
Waiaua but this would cut off the important district of
Waanae with its extensive sugar plantations; aso the
large limestone quarres BARRIERS Point Moreover
there is at present, but little prospect any considerable
local traffic this route The summit of the divide
about 300 feet above level consequently the gradients
will be heavy and would necessate heavier engines and
greatly increase the expense of operating the road.
No serious obstacles will be the construc
ton of the road along the coast except in passing few
rocky points that extend down the waters edge where
the grading will be comparatively expensive.
The northey side of the island is equally accessible
an engineering point of view whether the road started
east or west from Honolulu BY going east, however, the
average length of haul for freight and passengers will be
considerably shorter than by going west but the difficulty
and cost of obtaining the right of way the
through the city and through the district of Waikiki may
finally force the adoption of the western route notwith
standing its greater length of haul.
All aongthe proposed line of railway extensive
of good arabic lands now lying de which capable of
supporting large populations the construction the
way would undoubtedly hasten their subdivision into
smaller tracts, and their occupation by thrifty class of
small farmers The important advantages of regularity,
reliability and speed secured by railway service would en-
courage the raising of many perishabe products which,
under the existing of transfer be brought
market with profit
*
sustained by the history Of railway construction the world
over-there can be no question but that railway around
the Island of Oahu is indispensable factor in future
development and prosperity The direct benefit to the gen.
era government will appear in notable increase of the
public resulting from the improvement of its
unoccupied territory not to mention the important adva-
ages of rapid communication with all parts of the island
in the administration of the several departments of the
eminent.
If these conclusions be correct would seem to be emf
nenty just and equitable and in the line of sound public
policy for the Government to extend helping hand
any private corporation willing to undertake work of this
magnitude and Importance. While it is confidently
peced that the road will eventually yield fair
upon its COSTA largely created by the road itself
it questionable whether the income in the first four
five years would be sufficient to its construction
without Government aid.
AS be estimated from the data hand the
cost of the road fully equipped for service will range from
$4,000 to $4,000 per me according the nature of the
topography traversed by the lne rise IN the market
price of steel rails always possible contingency might add
very largely the above estimate of The rails and
rolling stock WILL of course have to be purchased abroad
but the money for grading the roadbed for crossies
bridges fences, depos enginehouses warehouses; etc.
would be dsbursed here thus creating these islands
large and active market for labor and material while the
road is under construction Indeed, the amount dis
bursed will greatly exceed the asked for in the
shape of Government subsidy, which, informed
is only $4,000 per mea sum that will not cover the cost
of grading and bridging alone
In the United States the policy of aiding the construc-
ton OF railways its otherwise inaccessible territory
proved of nesmabe benefit both to the public and the
general government The subsidies granted exceed
ngy LIBERAL thus for example, there granted to the
Central Pacific Railway Company subsidy in guaranteed
bonds amounting SIG 600 per mile for the valley division
$4,000 per mile for the Nevada and Utah division and
$4,000 per mile for the mountain division of that road;
and in addition thereto absolute grant of $500 of
Government land for every mile of road built and put
/