The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1898-02-05
ON LOCAL PLANS
Prof. A. AgaSSiZ Reserved ON Ger
tain AcQlarilm Figures.
HAS A PRIVATE STATION
There Should Be One Here - 1t
Would Attract-Zoo Too Expen-
sive-Botanic Garden Plan Good.

1t has been understood here for
some time that Hon. G. r. Bishop has
postponed action on his project for a
modern aquarium station near Homo
lulu 1t is added that he is deferred
by the cost Mr. Bishop is a generous
man in every way and has large
means. But he could not quite see his
way clear to putting $S00,O00 into this
particular undertaking. This figure
was the estimate of a local scientific
man consulted. Now there are many
men who have some acquaintance with
the subject who believe that such an
aquarium as Mr.. Bishop suggested
could be placed for, at the outside,
one-fourth the sum indicated. Ex-
perts or specialists abroad have agreed
with this financial view.
Professor Agassiz, in conjunction
with his work in the United States,
maitains a private aquarium at New
port. He was approached last evening
on the general subject. Professor
| Agassiz is quite enthusiastic over this
| location for a station. He says that
it would be the only aquarium of any
account near a coral reef and for that
reason if for no other would attract
scientific men and students and lay
visitors from all parts of the world,
He thinks all the conditions here fav-
orable to the building up of an ac-
quarium that would be second to none.
| When the subject of placing an es-
| innate or fixing figure on good or
| creditable aquarium for this region
was brOached, Professor AgassiZ want
ed to turn the channel of conversation.
| He said he had heard that Mr.. G. R.
Bishop had become the owner of a
set of plans, specifications and prices
and that so long as another man had
made calculations he would not do so
in any way at all specific unless es-
peciaIly and properly invited. His own
aquarium was merely for study and
demonstration. For a public or a
large station a considerable sum of
money would be required. An az
quarium here would be grand thing.
There has been a report in circula-
tion that at one time Professor Agas-
siz placed the coast of such a station
as might be expected to be established
here by Mr.. Bishop at a quite reason
able price. He would only say last
night that he would not enter the
field of estimating in any way so long
as Mr.. Bishop was under negotiations
with the gentleman whose figures have
caused at least temporary abandon
ment of the plan Naples has the
great aquarium of the world The
Australians have been talking of es-
tablishing on a coral reef near a soIon-
ial shore, but will not do so as long
as there is any prospect of having the
station here. Several countries are
awaiting a revised estimate on the Ha-
Wallan aquarium.
Being asked as to the educational
value of Geological gardens for this
place, Professor Agassiz said the mat
ter OF expense would in all likelihood
defeat any scheme under that head
Animals of the tropics could be easily
secured and kept at reasonable pay
but the difficulty would be in getting
specimens from the other zones and
maintaining that section of the dis
play. No community of this size any
where has Zoo worthy the name anC
one or two Of the largest gardens ir
the United States are barely kept go
ing. The educational advantage O
such an institution here, he was sure
would be very great It was a pity
that many of the children of the Isl
!. ands grew up without being able t.
see the important animals that ar,
common sights to the youngsters i,
larger countries.
Professor Agassiz is pleased indeer
with the prospect for a botanic garden
here. This is the idea of Mr.. s. NJ
Damon, Minister of Finance. and he i
working it out on his Moanalua es
J. tate. Professor Agassiz saws this i
Il one of the most sensible and practic
able and ueful projects in the educa
= tlonal realm that could be conceive
for this country. The study of trees
plants and flowers will be of grea
- benefit to all.
BY the Australia today. Professo
n Agassiz and party, three in all. wi
s leave the Islands. Very soon afte
Il arrival at San Francisco. they wi
continue on Eastward where an i'm
mense amount Of work awaits PrOfes