The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1893-09-29

considered with the report.
Mr.. Brown from the same com
miJtee reported a bill had been re
fer.ed to them relating TO crown
lands on the 9th OF last July, and a
new bill was recommended which
was ordered laid on the table to bt
considered with the report.
Mr.. Waterhouse said he wished to
ask the executive as to what had
been done regarding the water ques
ton. it was important what we're
the plans for the future.
Minister King said the govern
ment hoped 70 have the A1akiki well
| done next week, bat otherwise the
public would have to wait for more
abundant water supply until it rains
Dir. Waterhouse said he wished to
emphasize the point that the ques-
ton of the water supply was an i'm
portant one and that work should be
| begun on the reservoirs in the mean
time while awaiting rain.
Mr.. Emmeluth agreed with the
last speaker, and pointed out that
the people had been without water
for several days together IN his part
of town. II a fire had occurred there
would not have been q bucket of
water to put it out with. The water
furnished was poor. y bath tub full
would, in q few minutes, show an
inch or two of sediment. The rights
of the people should be respected
and recognized.
Minister Damon said the question
had not been neglected, but had had
attention it was useless to sink
wells and put in pumping plants as
long as the mains were SO small on
King and Beretania streets. He
hoped that as soon as our political
relations with the Uuited States were
better defined, the government would
be able to commence work on new
piping He thought, In the mean
time, that Superintendent Brown
could so regulate the shutting off Of
water that the town would be better
supplied
Mr. Smith attributed the detective
ness of the water system to the fire.
quent changes of administration.
One minister of the interior dis
carded the plans of his predecessor.
Money was voted from one biennial
period to another, but the cross pur
poses of successive ministers prevent
the public benefit intended from
being realized. The bureau of water
works should in some way be made
independent enough to carry out
some definite plan of improvement,
regardless of changes of administra
ton In general. He referred to the
,jol.r ,Nf tbaca roopu uaarc in Gunplu-
ing the Kalihi suburbs with water.
The matter of improving the water
supply ought to be attended to before
next summer. There would shortly
be rain, and the Makiki pumping
plant be in working order, but the
relief thus promised would only be
for the present time. A new neces-
sity was liable to occur next season,
and it should be provided for in ad-
vance.
Mr.. Young said the question
should be considered now. The au-
thorities should not wait. The pipes
were too small, and it was necessary
to have new mains. This would take
to from six to eight months as the
piping If got upon the most economl-
cal terms would have to come from
Europe. There was at present no
need of putting In a pumping plant,
but work should be started at once to
prepare for the future.
The alcohol bill was taken up on
second reading and was considered
section by section. The bill was
amended by Minister Damon by in
sorting the following section, and
was passed as whole:
SECTION 5. The collector general of
customs is hereby authorized to permit
the holders of licenses herein provided
to withdraw alcohol from the custom
house of the strength of 80 per cent.
proof, as determined by Tralle's hy-
drometer, upon payment of $50 per
gallon, and all exceeding 80 per cent.
shall pay alcoholic duty in proportion
to its strength.
Considerable discussion was in
dulged in over the bill before the
vote was taken as to the details and
effect of the act, and when the final
vote was taken it stood twelve for
and two against the passage Of the
bill.
The bill for the acquiring Of the
kuleanas at the leper settlement by
the government was passed.
On motion of Mr.. Brown the bills
relating to crown lands was laid
over till the next meeting.
Minister Damon read the follow
ing letter from the tax assessor:
HONOLULU, Sept. 20, 1898.
His EXcellency S. NJ. DAMON, Min
lister of Finance.
DEAR SIR: Owing to work in the
office under the operations of the new
law, it has been impossible for the
tax assessor and his deputy to make
the thorough review of returns, and
the properties in this district which
the circumstances require and which
are absolutely necessary TO be made;
in consequence of which / find that
we will not be able to have our books
open for inspection by the first day of
October, and l respectfully suggest
that such change be made in section
As, page 142 of session laws, 1892, as
to call for the books being open for
inspection on the first day of Novem-
Der.
The above change Will allow fifteen
days for tax payers to examine the
books before the first day of the sit
ting of the court of appeal. See sec
ton 81.
Unless some such provision be
made the outside work of assessing