The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1901-09-24

The above wireless telegram was re-
ceived yesterday afternoon by Cover
nor Dole, supplementing an exhaustive
report upon the forest fires received by
mail from James H. Boyd. Superin-
tendent of Public Works.
The news is source of much graft
ification from the fact that the long,
looked-for relief is in sight, and that
the destructive fires are so well under
control as not to require government
aid, which Superintendent Boyd was
fully empowered and prepared to exc
tend. The next mail report from Mr..
Boyd will very likely give full par
ticulars of the fight which ended in
the control of the fires.
Copies of the mail reports made by
Superintendent Boyd under date Of
September 18th, received by Governor
Dole yesterday are given below:
Waimea, Hawaii, Sept 18, 1901.
Sir-I desire to make a hasty report
to the effect that we arrived at Ka-
waihae at early dawn this morning;
excellent trip up. We leave immedi-
ately from Waimea, where we now are,
for Hanaipe first in this district, to.
investigate the present condition there,
and later we will proceed to Hamakua.
Weather shows indications of rain:
fires yet in progress. Have arranged
to meet Messrs. Albert Horner and
Carter at locations. Very respectfully.
JAS. w. BOYD, ;
Superintendent Public Works.
The following letter was also receiv-
ed yesterday:
Sir-My previous communication to
you was written on the morning of the
18th, just after arrival at Kawaihae,
and indicating intention to proceed at
once to source of Waimea district fires.
1 now, sir, present this following ad-
ditional report of events since dispatch
of former note:
We left Akona's place, Waimea, at
IL o'clock on the 18th instant, to pro-
ceed to Hanapoe and view the state OF
fire affairs there existing. Journey
was rapidly made. and the rain indica-
tions crossing Wainnea plains became
tangible, fast successive heavy show
ers wetting us to the skin. Entering
the region of fire we found that there
was fire still existing, but the volume
of smoke within the valleys had almost
obliterated the trail from view, en-
route, and prevented full knowledge
of the existent condition other than
the hearsay belief that there was but
little more danger to be feared from
the fire in that location. Completing
twenty-five mile ride to Mr.. Albert
Horner's place, 1 met him and Mr.. +.
W. Carter, and without rest we went
forward direct to the scene of the Ha-
makua district fire, Mr.. Horner guild
ing. continued ride of some ten
miles brought us to the edge of the
$500 acres belonging to Mr.. Horner.
and a further fearful and dangerous
Journey along seven miles OF renee en-
closing portion of the burned district,
gave opportunity to see the complete
destruction of the former existing
tropical forests, and the great injury to
the soil by the depth (over six feeD to
which the fire had penetrated. Words
cannot describe the condition of the
district burned. Night coming on we
were compelled to defer further
inspection until today, for the consid-
GRAFTON of the present status and the
means to be used to stop further
spread.
We returned to Mr. Horner's house at
II D. M, and enjoyed his hospitality.
tired and weary after being nearly
twelve hours continuously in the sad
die, and having travelled over fifty
miles in and about the burned districts
of Waimea and Hamakua.
Mr.. Horner has been fndefatigabie,
and deserves great credit for his per-
sonal exertions. together with Mr.. Car
ter, for the fire fighting done by them
1t is too early to give any definite
statement of the condition of things,
and how to meet them, further than
to say the fire is still smoldering, no
rain and fresh winds. Will write at
next opportunity. We leave in thirty
minutes for Kaala, back of Ookala-
Respectfully yours, JAS. H. BOYD.