The Hawaiian gazette., 1890-07-22
REPORT OF THE MINISTER OF THE
INTERIOR.
SECOND NOTICE


valuable suggestions and contains
such advanced ideas that it will be
more fully noticed at future date.
Following this comes the report OF
the Chief Engineer of the Fire De-
partment, which states that the
department was recognized in
1889 under the Act passed at the
last session. The active member.
ship of the department is stated as
$50, which is a decrease of fifty,
owing TO the disbanding of the
Hose Company, but the member
ship of the so-called Junior Com
panies has been increased, having
now a membership of ninty-three,
giving a total strength to the de-
partment of 343. The Junior Com
panies, however, are apparently IN
tended to train up future fremen
rather than for any special valu-
able service which can be done by
the boys at present. 1t is stated
that No. l engine needs extensive
repairs, and, in estimating for the
coming period, it is proposed to
ask for the purchase of another en-
CINE. The expenditure for the past
period appears to have been judiel-
onsly applied, and has run within
the appropriation by over $4,000.
1t is urgently requested that appro-
priations be made for the construe-
ton of new buildings for Nos. 2
and 4; also for the construction of
a central station where a new bell
might be placed. While the re-
port says nothing upon the point,
1t may be observed here that the
present large fre-bell never has
been a success on account of the
continued clang and ring made.
when it is struck, interfering with
the definite character of the
strokes, which is certainly fatal
objection to fire-bell. 1t is urged
that horses be provided, additional
to those now employed, for the pur.
pose of drawing engines to fires.
An electric tire-alarm system is also
which, it is believed,
would cost not over $1,000 for the
best system now known.
Attention is called to the present
laws with regard to the testing and
storage of oil, the building law and
the transportation and storage of
powder 1t is also argued that
hose companies should be provided
IN the suburbs of Honolulu. The
paid officers of the department APP
pear now to be the Fire Marshal
and Engineer, Secretary and Treas
nrer, four Engineers, four Stokers,
i've Stewards and two Watchmen,
which would seem to indicate that
we are gradually approaching the
position of paid fire department.
The suggestion is made. which GER
tainly is worthy of consideration,
hat the cost of fire department
should be borne by a special tax to
De levied upon the city of Homo
ulu. The matter of Toss by fire
and similar matters are more fully
IN the report of the Fire
Marshal which states that the in.
,ent of the law with regard to the
storage of kerosene is unquestion-
lbiy violated on account Of defects
n the law. For instance, a wooden
of a hundred feet front
night be divided into twelve stores
If ten feet depth. In each of these
en- cases could be stored while a
prick warehouse a hundred feet
'quare could cniy store ten cases.
The inspection of stores and fire
places show that there are still a
arge number of careless people
md dangerous places in existence.
Phe Fire Marshal seems to have
Ibated many of these. When it is
remembered that the great fire of
$50 originated from such a cause
IS this, it is apparent that too great
.aution cannot be used. The Fire
MARSHAL recommends that he be
authorized by law to test kerosene
III, and the suggestion is also made
hat the fire test now prescribed
'ught to be raised to at least 125
legrees- 1t appears that there
lave been eighty-five fires in Homo
ulu during the last period. Of
hese incendiarism is charged with
twenty-five which is certainly a
most alarming number. Lamp ex-
'losions have caused eleven, care
essness with matches the same
fire works caused four. |
lectric light wires three, the other
Tres coming from variety of
auses. The total loss by fires |
mounts to something over s37, 400 |
i which the insurance companies |
ave paid $4,000. 1t is shown
hat the work of the department |
as beer excellent, but very few
nfpufac bavsno alanoad fr1,x a.