The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1894-10-12
CUSTOM HOUSE CHANGES.
THE FORT STREET BUILDINGS TO BE
UTILIZED.
Who May be Found in Them
Betimes.

Some important changes are projected
in the general arrangement of the Gus
tom House by which the large brick
buildings at the corner of Fort and
Allen streets will be called into service
and will at last be made to show up
well. The buildings In question
are the most conspicuous i'll
this city, being the very first
to be seen by passengers landing from
the ships, and though they are hand
somely lettered Custom House" the
windows and doors have been closed
for years, and the buildings have pre-
sented the most dismal appearance
conceivable to the stranger passing
within the gates. To the city the build
ings have been no less than constant
eyesore, and the present arrangement a
great inconvenience to the public gener
ally.
If the present idea of the department
to which this bureau belongs is carried
into effect, the people of Honolulu will
some day ere long walk down Fort
street and find the windows of the old
Custom House building thrown ajar
and everything cheerful and business
like within. The present Custom House
will be, under this arrangement, rele-
gated to the station of a warehouse, the
place in the department for which it
was intended.
The first thing to be noticed on the
Fort-street side of the building will be a
broad stairway, with center platform,
leading from the sidewalk to the large
office at the corner of Fort and Allen
streets. To the right of the head of the
stairs the Collector. General will have a
private Office, accessible to the public
without the necessity of passing behind
the counter.
In front of this Office, and in fact
approaching the windows on every side,
will be left space for the public, 36 by
40 feet against a niche 10 by l2 feet in
use at the present time. The counter at
which most of the general business will
be transacted will be 40 feet long with
an l. at the corner of which the Deputy
Collector will sit in such a position as
to see all over the house.
Farther down the counter toward the
present Custom House, and toward the
window where Stratemeyer mashed his
thumb, will be a large office, 90 X 81
feet, for the statistical clerk. In front
of this will be placed long desk with
writing material for the convenience OF
the public.
On the same floor, but across in the
next building, properly connected, how
ever, will be the Appraisers office
where Mr.. Fichel will keep a box OF
cigars constantly ON hand for his
friends.
This Office will be 20x26 feet, and will
be provided with all necessary convent
ences for officials and the public. There
will be an elevator in this department
operated by electricity, connecting witt
the ware rooms below, for the con
venience of the Appraiser. Speaking Of
the Appraiser, it might be well to re
member that his Office is no sinecure
There is possibly no man in the employ
of the Government whose work is NOR,
intricate and who has to take NOR,
"kicking" than the Appraiser at tn,
custom house.
He lives on 1t; it comes as natura
after time as his three meals day
The work of the appraiser is to deter
mine foreign market values on goods
regardless of invoices or the opinions o
consignees; and when fine thing bob
up with cheap tag on it, Mr.. Appraise
has TO sit down on it then and there.
The last building on the the maka
side will be used both as a warehous,
and the office of the Port Surveyor.
The official mentioned will have al
Office down stairs in this building (no
under his hat, as heretofore), where h,
can be met upon any business matte
arising in his department.
Another great improvement will ap
pear just here. At the present time
when a steamer is due at night tn
guards, etc., have to walk around tn
docks or sleep, leaning up against
, gate post. Now hunks will be placed Il
the apartment over the Port Surveyor
office, where the boys can turn in an
have nap while waiting for steamer
and yet be on hand when they ar
needed.
They will most probably call this thei
"domitory" though thanks, gentle
men" would be more appropriate in tn
circumstances.
The present Custom House will b
provided with fire proof shutters an
= converted into a warehouse for ligl
\ merchandise such as tobacco, cigar
etc. This completes the list of change
so far as has been decided upon at tn
present time. The improvements wi
probably be made when the work I
y the Post Office is completed.
y Expanded His Business.
Y T. b. Murrays new shoD on KiT