The Hawaiian gazette., 1897-12-07
is A MODEL TOWN
New Plan for a Tenement
House Business.
Thlrty-eight Cottages All Occupied.
Artesian Water = Affords a
Study in Sociology.

Mr.. Frank Hustace, the well known
kamaaina and business man, is not a
student of any branch of the sociologi-
cal problem, so far as he knows or will
say. But he owns more tenement
houses than any other citizen of Ha-
waii and gets along very nicely with
all his people. They pay their rent
promptly. Of complaint there is
scarcely any. The occupants of the
cottages seem to feel that they have
homes of their own. At least they take
an uncommon interest in the houses
and the grounds.
The rental property which has excit-
ed a good deal of interest and comment
for nearly a year past, is located on
South street and Hustace avenue, the
latter thoroughfare leading to Cyclic
mere park. At one time the land be-
longed to Frank Hustace and Mr.. Rob-
ertson. The latter sold out to the
former. Mr. Hustace was several
times, more particularly within a few
months, offered a handsome price for
his holding, but refuses to part with it.
There are at present 3S cottages, all
of which are occupied. IF we get an
nexation," !" said Mr.. Hustace yesterday,
Il will build 10 more cottages on South
street They will be of a high class,
better than several of the principal
ones l own already" This is quite an
annexation straw in its way.
This Hr. Hustace is of the transfer
company of Hustace & Company. The
stables and yards of the company are
on the estate at South and the avenue.
One of the controlling ideas at the time
the cottages were built, was that they
would be rented by employees of the
company, who would like to be near
their work. OF course some of the men
have permanent homes in town. These
were not expected TO move. 1t was a
surprise to Hr. Hustace that when the
first dozen of houses were ready for
use, not more than three or four of the
company's men cared TO take them.
The owner then instructed his agent
that applicants Should have preference
in the order of their appearance In
very few days all of the houses were
taken. Then some of the workmen had
changed their minds. Eleven more
houses were built, and after that 15
more. All are occupied. The commun-
ity is not entirely settled yet, but the
indications are that a model village is
being established. The sanitation is
of the very best. Each cottage has a
bath room and outhouses. The lots
are not large. but they are being i'm
proved by the tenants. The rents are
low and are collected without any trou-
BILE at all. Mr.. Hustace says he has
read of Pullman and other remarkable
towns owned by one man. He has no
desire TO experiment, he says. but is
simply engaged in plain business un-
dertaking. He has gone about the en-
terprise in a systematic and careful
manner and will introduce new feat
ures as they seem to be required by
conditions. All water for the place is
from an artesian well and every house
has its pipe and every yard its tap. The
gardening instinct is trong, down in
that neighborhood, and little plots have
been laid out and are receiving atten-
ton.
Some of the students around town
and of course any number of the busi-
ness men are watching closely this new
tenement district, because there is no
other like it. They believe Mr.. Hustace
will be satisfied, but are free with com
ment of varied character. Some think
the houses are too good, the rent too
cheap, the water too expensive. Wa
ter is free to all. The new little vii
lage is getting to be one of the sights
of the town.