The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1898-04-25
HOUSE is AGREED
Passed Senate Resolution
on Memorial Fountain.
Minister'S Authority to Dispose Of
Squares DOubted-MOre
Questions Asked.
HOUSE.
Fifty-eighth Day, April %

Rep. Robertson. presented a petition
from people of Honolulu for an appro-
priation of $4,000 for fixing the Puunui
road. Referred to the Committee on
Public Lands.
Rep. Richards presented a petition
from North and South Kona and Ha
makua with 48 signatures, as well as
one from OIaa with SO signatures, pro-
testing against the building Of an
electric railway in Hilo. Referred to
the special committee.
Rep. IsenIberg presented the MAORI
ty rport of the special committee to
whom was referred the concurrent re-
solution relating to the Carter memo
rial, recommending the adoption OF the
resolution. This report was signed
by Reps. Isenberg and POgue. Rep.
Atkinson did not concur 1t was NOV
ed that the majority report he adopted.
The Acknowledgement moved to amend
to the effect that the report be accepted
and that the special committee confer
with the Senate committee on the mat
ter. The matter could be settled in this
way without much friction. 1t was the
opinion of many of the supporters of
the Government that the action of the
Senate had been rather hasty.
Rep. Robertson was of the opinion
that it was unfortunate the matter
had came up in the shape it had.
However, the members should pass
oyer the immediate object of the mat
ter and look at the question of the
right of the Minister Of the Interior
or any other Minister to erect any
obstacle in the middle of any public
highway. Here Rep. Robertson re-
ferred to the Vineyard street tree and
placed it in the same category with
the fountain.
Upon being put to vote, Reps. Wild
er and Atkinson were the only ones
who did not vote in favor Of the adopt
ion of the resolution.
Rep. McCandless presented the fol-
lowing resolution which was referred
to the Committee on Public Lands.
'rResoWed, That $4,000 be appropri-
ated to widen King street on the east
side of Kalihi bridge, adjoining the
w. L. Wilcox and Gulick properties in
Kalihi and for a new bridge across
Kalihi stream on King street.
Rep. Achi presented the following
resolution which was referred to the
special committee on contracts:
THAT an item of $262.50 be appro-
priated for the remainder of pay for
work on the roads in North Kona,
Hawaii"
Rep. Achi propounded the following
questions to the Minister of the Inte-
rior ad interim:
1. please state if, after change in
time of the rounds Of the odorless eX-
cavators from day to night, the death
rate in the city has increased.
2. 'If such is the case, what is the
percentage?
3. Did the doctors of the Board of
Health consider that the change from
day to night was a good one?
4. us it the intention Of the Board
to continue this practice of working
the odorless excavator at night?
The Minister of Finance presented
the following answers. to questions
propounded by Rep. Robertson:
l. Il have no official knowledge or
otherwise, of any wharfage collected,
from vessels other than two cents per
registered ton, at which rate collec-
lions have been made since 1857, but
tive published official regulations ex-
list other than the tariff and digest
issued under my instructions as Minis
ter of Finance in 1898.
Further, l have no knowledge that
such vessels or their agents make
large profits out of Government
wharves.
2. I'm answer to the question
should not the Government be entitled
! to receive all wharfage paid by con-
| signees?' / would state that such is
| not my opinion unless the Government
has control over all agreements to
carry freight, between the carrier and
| importer.
THE Provisional Government by an
act authorized the Executive to enter
! into certain contracts remitting wharf
| age, under certain conditions, for the
carrying Of mails free and; limiting
| the charges for freight and passengers
| but | do not consider that this would
relieve the importer from paying
wharfage to the agents Of vessels.
In answer to the question Please
state whether any Government officer
| has authority over the manner Of use
! Of the wharves OF Honolulu, or over
! the manner Of handling or disposition
of freight landed on said wharves,
would respectfully refer to the follow
! ing extracts from the Penal and Civil
! laws of 1897:
Sec. 34S p. 149, P L. 1897.
Secs. 1124-37, p. 1868, P. L. 1897.
Secs. 1247-50, D. 4O1-2 p. L. 1897.
Sec sos, p. 223, c. L. 1897.
Further. the Surveyor Of Customs
is required for Customs purposes tC
control the handling of freight, the
| great difficulty being the failure OF
legal provision to compel the clearing
of wharves within a reasonable time
many importers using the wharves. as
stOTehOuses. for, in some cases, weeks
after the wharves should have been
cleared to allow the landing of new
freights.
Il take this opportunity of making
! the following SUGGESTIONS recommend