Evening bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1895-1912, 1896-04-08

which was then taken up on the
order of the day.
Rep. Richards spoke on the
electric light matter. In Novem-
Der last the Government asked the
Hawaiian Electric Company to
submit a proposition for lighting
the streets of Honolulu. The
company had done so, but that
was not before the House. This
was a case where the man should
not be discussed. The committee
had found the electric light lines
of the Government in wretched
condition. They were the worst
thing in all the public works.
Wires were fastened to houses and
trees, and in places hung within
dangerous reach of people. In
one instance the committee saw a
child take hold of wire, and, il
the current had been on, that
child's life would have gone out
like that (snapping his fngers).
This item of the inspectors sala-
ry was the only one the commit
tee recommended to have changed.
He believed a man could be got
to attend properly to the lines for
$125 a month.
Rep. Rycroft told of his obser-
vations in company with Mr..
Richards. They had seen a con-
ductor hanging over veranda,
and while discussing it they saw
a Japanese child take hold of it.
If it had been live wire that
would have been a dead child.
The inspector was getting a large
salary and ought to keep the lines
in good condition.
Rep. Winston asked the Attor-
ney General to give the views of
the Government.
Minister Smith could not help
thinking that the bad condition of
the lines was over-stated, yet he
could not doubt the truth of what
members of the committee said
they had seen. IL wires had lost
their covering they should be at
tended to. AS to the question OF
turning the lights over to the COM
pany, the offer made was at the
: rate of SO a light. IL an agree
ment was arrived at, the PROPOSE
ton would come up in the form
of bill. Reverting to the mat
} ter of the lines, he repeated his
suspicion that the statements
made had been exaggerated. He
asked how the linemen of
the Hawaiian Electric Co.
! and of the Mutual Telephone
Co., as well as the Government in
spector, could overlook such con-
J ditions.
! Rep. Richards replied that the
different concerns used each
others poles for convenience, and
it suited all of them to say nothing
about these things. He could say
that the condition of the lines
was absolutely dangerous, and il
he had his way he would stop the
plant that night.
Minister Smith discussed the
electric lighting in connection
with the water service. He hoped
the salary of the inspector would
not be cut down, and asked if a
competent man could be got for
Sl25 month.
Rep. Richards thought-in fact
was confdent-that a good man
,, could be had for that salary
. There were perquisites Of the
: position besides.
Minister Smith-Only a house
Mr.. Cassidy has his own horse
and buggy.
, After further conversation Rep
Richards accepted an amendment
, of the Attorney. General to make
. the salary $50 a month, but in
sisted on the rider that the in,
, spector should devote his whole
time to the duties of that Office.
Rep. Rycroft wanted to know
why the salary should be placed
, at $50 when the committee had
reported that a good man could be
got for Sl25. Had they so much
money that they could sport il
, around in that way?
Minister Smith answered that
it was because he did not believe
in hiring cheap men for such
work. He told a second time OF
having to have his new house re
, wired on account of poor work
done in the first instance.