The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1901-04-19
FIRE LIMITS
EXTENSION
llEom r,hursdaY,s DnIlyl

'Athorton advocating the extension oil
the fire limits as proposed by the Bo1rt
of Fire Underwriters. the resolution
reading as follows:
Whereas, II is understood by this Cham
bor that no action has been taken los
tho Legislature now In session to- eN-
tend the fire limits OF the City; and,
Whereas, II is very desirable and for
the best interests of the whole commu-
nifty that the present fire limits be cN.
I tended; and,
Whereas, the Board OF rire Under
writer's addressed communication. dat
| ed the 18th inst, to this Chamber rec
ommending the extension OF the fire Inn
its; therefore be II
Resolved. That this Chamber petition
the Legislature to favor any bill that
may be introduced before II for the eX-
! tension OF the present fire limits of the
City. on the lines recommended by Ihe
Board of Fire Underwriters.
| Present at the meeting were w +.
Allen, president; ]. G.. Spencer, secre-
tary; r. r. Walker, II. A. Isenberg, f.
A. Schaefer, Il. C. Macfarlane. Mamie
Phillips. F. j. Lowrey, A. ]. Campbell,
A. A. Young, w. Schmidt. w. NJ. Gift
fard, ]. w. McChesney. p. Muhlendorf,
~. p. Cooke, j. b. Atherton and G.
Bolte
The resolution which was originally
read at Tuesdays meeting was re-read
Mr.. Schaefer explained that the Board
of Fire Underwriters had taken in the
extreme limit in the lines suggested by
them at their meeting last Friday as
already printed in the Advertiser, and
believed that the limit proposed by
them was all that could be asked of
the Legislature. He explained that aft
er much discussion by the Board it was
deemed unwise to extend the limits fur
Their as they might not meet with the
approval of the Legislature. AS Rich
ards street is likely to become a bust
ness street in the near future, for that
reason 1t was adopted as the extreme
Waikiki limit. Mr.. Schaefer said the
whole question was fully discussed by
the Board which had at first proposed
to extend the limits WailSikiwards only
as far as Alakea street, but subse-
quently took in Richards street instead.
Mr.. Giffard said he was in favor of
the fire limits as far as
Punchbowl street and thence down to
the waterfront. This limit was suggest
ed by the government. The Board of
had fixed upon Richards
street because they thought 1t might
find more popular favor with the Legis-
lature. By referring to the map of the
City, 1t could be seen that most of
the district between Richards street
and Punchbowl street was owned large
" by the Government, upon which gov
eminent buildings were located. Below
the Judiciary building was the Naval
reservation, but on private property
therein there We're a large number of
shacks, and business was extending in
hat direction. In reality there was not
much private property to be taken in
by extending the proposed limits to
punchbowl street but what little there
vas would be advantageously corralled
~ the fire limits. Speaking for w. c..
irwin, Mr. Giffard said the former
,wned a whole block In the district
mentioned by him and he had no OBJ
ection to have the fire limits include
his property. He urged that the lines
,e extended to Punchbowl street. He
bought all buildings near the Capitol
hould be fireproof or brick, and no op-
,ortunity given for the erection of
hacks.
Mr.. Atherton Sid he would favor the
of Mr.. Giffard were it not
or the fact that the Legislature might
onsider the area too large a"l reject
he whole proposition i
Mr.. Schaefer said tho principal OBJ
ect Of the Board is to take in China
own and it was deemed unwise to try
nd carry the lines further than now
roposed. The Board at first did not
Wish to go beyond Alakea.
Mr.. Macfarlane was opposed to ex- I
ension of the fire limits Waikikiwards
nd taking in what has heretofo"n been
allied the residential portion of the city.
lie objected to the measures proposed
lso on the ground that no time limit :
ad been set. AS II was the measures ,
roposed would go into effect imme-
lately and work great hardship upon
lany property owners who We're about
} construct buildings on their prem 6
les. He thought some recommended I
on should go from the Chamber of
ommerce suggesting a time limit. AS |.
ir as old Chinatown was concerned 1t /,
as a wise thing to do, but extending +, 6
l the other direction Waikikiwards ]
ito the residence district, was a little 1
He did not think the Cham I
er of Commerce should adopt such a
weeping proposition.
He pointed out the fact that the lum-
er yards would be affected by the
loptlon of a bill taking in the area v
'oposed, and to have them move out t
upon the adoption of the S
II would be arbitrary. Some of the {
ards had been in their present loca-
ons for thirty-hve and forty years q
I'd 1t would certainly be very arbitrary n
have them move out on such short a
otice. Before presenting the resolu- II
On or proposition TO the Legislature p
r. Macfarlane thought suggestions Il
.ould be made as 10 the time limit
herwise the lumber yards would suf- Il
r undeserved hardships So far as Il
q Chinatown portion was concerned, >
at area lay directly in the business :,
strict and could not be considered a
ything else but business property. n
He said he had been made aware OF 81
q fact that certain members of the a
'eislature also held 10 this opinion, q
u he aid not wish 10 bring m this al