The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1893-04-24
NEW INSURANCE RATING.
AN INSPECTOR HERE FROM
SAN FRANCISCO.
He May Reduce the Cost Of Insurance
in the Business District Of
This City

Thomas J.. Conroy, Assistant Mana |
ger of the Pacific Insurance Union Of
San Francisco, arrived by the last |
steamer. Mr.. Conroy is here, by the
request of the Honolulu Board of I'm
der Writers, for the purpose of inspect
ing the water supply and fire extinguish-
ing facilities, to see if new and reduced
insurance rates can be established.
Since he arrived he has been engaged
daily with Chairman Andrew Brown of
the Fire Board, in visiting the sources
Of water supply of Nuuanu valley and
Makiki, looking through the engine
houses and making lists of the amount
and sizes of piping laid in Honolulu, as
recorded in the Water Works Bureau.
Friday morning the Fire depart
ment held dry drill on Emma street
in the presence of Inspector Conroy
The usual exercises were gone through
with, after which speed drill was
held. No. Engine took up two lines
of hose, moved from Emma street TO
the hydrant in front of DR.. McWayne's
and made connections all in the space
of one minute by stop watch.
Saturday at eight Am. companies
one and two gave a regular drill
or Emma street in the presence of the
Minister of Interior, Inspector Conroy
Councilmen James +. Morgan and w.
F. Allen, Fire Commissioner Brown
and Chief Engineer Hustace A STAR
reporter was present on special invita-
ton. Within six and a half minutes
after engine No. had fire on twenty
pounds of steam were registered. Two
lines of hose were used Both lengths
were shortened in A seconds, and VS.
were inserted without the engine com
ing to full stop. After engine practice,
in which No. also did rapid and
effective work, the hose was attached
to hydrants which developed about 50
pounds pressure to the square inch.
This can be increased to 1870 pounds,
in case of fire, by opening the upper
reservoir and shutting off the town sup
ply.
Inspector Conroy expressed himself
as well pleased with the fire extinguish-
ing system and water supply of Homo
lulu.
al think, however" said the In
spector, cit should be increased and
made more effective"
"In what way?" asked the STAR
man.
"Well, a larger supply Of hose for
hydrant use should be on hand for the
outlying districts. | understand the
average pressure is about 100 pounds
to the square inch; if so, more hose,
supplemented with chemical engines,
would greatly increase the usefulness OF
the department and reduce the danger
from fire, by having extinguishers or
the ground or near by"
"What is your mission here, Mr.
Conroy7"
swell, l am here to investigate the
water supply and fire extinguishing
facilities, and to determine basis for
the town."
"What is the object of the new rat
ing2"
at is this" said Mr.. Conroy; 81 an
making preliminary examinations to set
if the Pacific Insurance Unions seized
ule will apply here, and to report wha
effect it will have. In other words WI
propose to apply the schedule of rating
used in the United States by all tarif
rating associations"
"How is the rating done7" asked tn,
reporter.
each building will be inspected
and rated on its merits; the good feat
ures of one will be credited, while tn
bad features of another will be charge,
for. l shall be obliged to examin
every building in the business part c
town to reach the result"
"How about the dwelling houses1
"Well, the rates are already lo'
enough there; they will remain just a
before. The schedule mentioned an
the reduction of rates, if any, will al
ply principally to the business porto
Of Honolulu"
Mr.. Conroy will remain here abor
four or five weeks and will report full
on the matter to the Pacific Insuranc
Union, which will take action after col
sultation with him.