The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1898-05-13

would, as l find by careful inquiry,
certainly be not more than $50 per
acre, and probably less. 1t will be
noticed by Commander Nicholss re-
port that the right of eminent domain
can be exercised by the Government
and a reasonable price fixed.
After a thorough consideration of
the whole question 1 recommend that
the land at and in the vicinity of
Reckoning Point be selected as the site
for the contemplated station on aC-
count of its proximity to the East
Loeb, which has the largest anchor
age, and for the fact dry docks may
easily be constructed there, as there
is ample space TO dock and unlock
vessels of any size.
I see no reason why the bar cannot
be dredged to a depth of 80 feet, as
has been done in the harbor of Homo
lulu, and within the estimated sum of
S105, 900, given by Lieutenant Wood.
There is but one dredger here and that
is owned by the Government and is in
constant use.
Il would bring to the department s
notice the assistance rendered by Prof.
w. D. Alexander, SurYeyor-GeneralO of
Hawaii and Mr.. S. F. Dodge, his as
sistant, in the course of the survey, as
stated in Commander Nichols report.
l have sent letter of thanks to these
gentlemen, but am confident they
would appreciate recognition of their
services by the department"
In the report from Captain Nichols,
Lieutenant Mayo and others are com
mended for work in the survey and
this is said of anchorage.
"West Loch-A basin about $50
yards in diameter.
Middle Loch-Anchorag about 400
yards in extent.
'West of Ford Island a vessel might
anchor in the East Branch.
EAST Loch-Good anchorage about
a mile long by half mile in width.
1t is the largest and best anchorage
in Pearl Harbor."
Under the head of dredging the re-
commendation is made that "as more
or less dredging would be required in
locating docks, etc, at a cOaling and
repair station, it would probably be
more economical for the Government
of the United States to furnish and
own it's dredger. The dredger now
here is almost constantly at work and
the Government might not wish to
loan it for the time required. This
,dredger cost ST 400 complete here and
no contractor would care to put that
amount into a plant with only Pearl
HarbOr bar work in sight
Proposals for sale of the land need
ed are made by S.. NJ. BalIou, as sec
retary of the John Ii Estate, Ltd, to
Captain Nichols of the Bennington
and the claim is made that the prices
of $3.50 and $500 an acre are less than
the price paid for land in this vicinity
bought as a business venture. These
are the option figures, under date of
February 18, of this year:
First. The United States Govern
ment can purchase section A, compris-
ing so acres, for 81, provided they will
agree to open the harbor for the pass
age of their largest war vessels within
period of two years from the date of
the original option.
Second. The United States Govern
ment can purchase section A, compris-
ing so acres, without conditions, for
$25, ,0O0 or $500 an acre.
Third The United States Govern
ment can purchase section A, compris
ing SO acres, and section E, compris
ing $50 acres, or 40 acres in all, for
$102, 800 or $3.50 per acre.
Fourth. The United States Govern
ment can purchase sections A and B,
comprising 300 acres, for 100000, or
$500 per acre.
Fifth The United States Govern
ment can purchase sections G and d,
comprising 500 acres, for 100000, or
5000 per acre.
The United States Government to
have the privilege of securing a suffi-
cient flow of water from any part of
the land in the possession of the John
Ii Estate, Limited, by tapping any
available source of water or by sinking
arteSian wells, or otherwise, and to
have perpetual right of way for pipe
line to convey the said water from its
source to the land hereby offered for
sale. In case the United States Gov
ernment fails to obtain flow of fresh
water from artesian wells upon any
portion of this land purchased by
them, they shall have the right to
take water in a pipe, not to exceed 4
inches in diameter, from the wells now
flowing on the land of the John Ii
Estate, about a mile inland.
The new options hereby given are
limited to the same time as the ori-
ginal options now on file in Washing
ton.
Of Waipio peninsula it is said that
it affords many advantages for naval
station and that "the entire peninsula
is needed for Government purposes in
order tO Dreyent anv town SDringing
up in too close proximity to the naval
station"