Evening bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1895-1912, 1898-04-28
Had Great Fight Over the Famous
Wharf Controversy.


mad requested copy of the plans
of the wharf or pier begun by the
Hawaiian Commercial Company |
at Kahului, and had requested the
Company to cease operations there
until The plans could be passed
upon by the Executive. The Gov
eminent claims the ownership of
all lands of the Republic below
high water mark, excepting only
such as may have been heretofore
granted by the Government to
individuals. The title to the
lands of the Youmans estate is
covered by Royal Patent of 1879
to William Lee and conveys a
portion of Honolulu harbor be-
low high water mark. With the
Hawaiian Commercial Company
it is different. They are operating
under Grant 3343 to Claus Spree.
kels, which, however, conveys no
land below high water mark. The
Government maintains jurisdic-
ton over Honolulu bsrbor, and
no private wharves have been
constructed without previous
sanction Of the Government. If
private parties have erected
wharves or landings at other
points, it has been without either
the permission or objection on
The part of the Government. The
Government claims the right to
object to the maintenance of any
wharf or pier now built
upon land below high water
mark in such cases as
the title of such land may have
been granted by a previous con
veyance from the Government.
For similar reasons the Govern
ment claims the right to object to
or prevent the erection of any wharf
or pier wherever the rights of the
people require such action.
Mr.. Loebensteln, for the Public
Lands Com mittee, reported on the
Joint Resolution to stop dredging
and filling on the west side OF the
harbor, recommending that same
pass. An amendment was also
recommended instructing the Gov
eminent to condemn the property
of the Youmans estate.
Mr.. Robertson moved adoption
of the report.
Mr.. Achi moved to postpone.
Minister Co ,per said the policy
of the Government was to own all
of Honolulu harbor. The resolu
ton was calculated to be fatal
blow at this policy aud would,
moreover, lay the whole scheme
of harbor improvements ut the
mercy Of corporations.
During his talk of nearly half
hour que tions were fred at the
Minister from all parts of the
house He answered all and ut
the same time continued his
speech.
Minister Damon took the floor
and said that the bottom of this
whole matter was an unusual and
desperate fight of a corporation
against Government and people
In case of this kind be, as a
mem Der of the Cabinet, wduld
take off his coat aud fight to the
last ditch. The railroad had en-
listed powerful influences and the
Government had met them. Al
present the Government was on
top. If its key to the situation
was given away, however, by the
Legislature the whole state of
things would be changed aud the
Government would, in the matter
of control on the west side of the
harbor, be left at the mercy OF
corporations.
Mr.. McCandless supported the
resolution.
Mr.. Pogue and Mr.. Gear desir
ed more time to consider the mat
ter.
Mr.. Gear said Minister King
was certainly better authority on
harbor matters than anyone the
committee had named. The Exc
cutive had studied this matt at
we'll as the committee. 1t WAS 9
case of Committee vs.. Executive
with the House out OF it and who'll
ly in the dark. He would movt
to refer the whole matter 10 the
Printing Committee. So ordered
Mr.. Pogue read a report of ih'