The Independent. [volume] (Honolulu, H.I.) 1895-1905, 1898-06-27

MIR. cearyS prlVaIe tdro ldIu az
Waikolu. The committee met in
the Y. M. G. A. hall in the afternoon
to discuss over those patches Of ripe
taro which some members OF the
committee had seen. The commit
tee decided to call on the acting
superintendent and hear what he
had to say in regard to the patches
OF Puniio. Mr. Feary replied that
the taro in those patches was not
enough for all, and he decided that
no taro should be taken out, and
every one, including those laborers
living at Waikolu, take flour, rice
and bread like the rest. This was
satisfactory to the committee, for it
ended the dissatisfaction on the
the part of those who were constant
ly nagging and pointing out the
one-sided affair OF the acting super
intendent, in retaining what taro
there was at Waikolu for his work
men.
The committee having receiv-
ed their answer, there was moth
ing more for them to do, and the
majority of the members OF the
committee left, leaving the under
siqned with three Others chatting
with Mr.. Feary, when, all at once
he said, "I'll go to Pelekunu and
Wailau and see if any taro can be
had there; if any, l will purchase
enough taro or pai.ai for a weeks
supply, paying for the same with my
own money, and the Board of Health
viii reimburse me afterwards" We
were all silent for a while, and one
Of those present said to Mr.. Feary
that in that matter we had nothing
to say. "Well," Mr.. Feary said, 81
am going tomorrow morning." and
asked the undersigned for permits
sion to use one OF his canoes, which
was granted him willingly. Mr..
Feary further asked to know the
names of kokuas who could handle
a canoe to go with him to the afore-
named valleys, which furnished
him. He Immediately got up, called
for his horse, and we all left at the
same time, he going to see the men
who were to go with him. On the
following morning, May 81, Mr..
Feary left the Leper Settlement for
the valley Of, Pelekunu. He was
away for about week, and on Fri
day forenoon, May 81, Mr.. Feary
and party returned on the Mokolii
with about 740 pai-ais which were
landed at Waikolu. The people
called there and received their pal
al and came away contented and
grateful to Mr.. Feary for what he
had done for them. Since then we
have received pai-ai from Wailau
every week.
Having stated the foregoing facts,
/ am surprised to learn that Presi-
dent w. o. Smith, at a meeting Of
the Board of Health held on the
9Th instant, has publicly charged
me with serious offense of "agitat-
ing against the Superintendent and
authorities and encouraged my fell
low unfortunates to threats Of riot
ing" Are we not permitted to hold
public meetings as | have above
stated2 The fundamental law of
the land allow us, anyway.
The Board of Health knowing the
situation here and not trying to give
relief, the question arises who is re-
sponsible and whose duty is it to see
that we get pai-ai2 Mr. Feary, a
leper and the Assistant Superintend-
ent Of the Leper Settlement taking
upon himself the responsibility of
leaving the Settlement without order
from the Board OF Health performed
a duty which rightly ought to have
been attended to by his superior,
his doing so proves there was no
scarcity of taro, and pai-ai could
have been obtained il the Board Of
Health had only tried to secure the
same. Be it remembered that @. B.
Reynolds is officially the Superin.
tendent of the Leper Settlement,
and Mr.. W. j. Feary his assistant,
In August, 1895, a combination with
Mr.. w. l.. Wilcox as the nominal
head were awarded the contract for
supplying the Lepsr Settlement
with pai.ai at the rate of fifty cents
per bundle for four years and be-
lieve has given 81, 600 bond as is
the case in all former contracts
made by the Board of Health for
fulfilling their obligations. When
Mr. Wilcox failed to furnish PAL al
why is it that the other parties to
the contract did not furnish pai-ai
for us lapers and. why is il that the