The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1901-11-26
SHORT OF WATER
AND MANY FIRES
CThrum's Annual, 1917
Continued from Yesterday

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throughout the Islands. under the SUI
perintendency of DR.. c. 7. Rodgers.
AS was feared would be the case, the
enumeration shows the continued de-
crease of Hawaiians, though we nave
grounds for the belief that por-
ton of the difference shown between
1884 and 1890 belongs in reality, to the
period prior to 1884 In the careful
deductions and varied tables given In
the report there are several encour-
aging and interesting features shown.
Owing to the reopening of labor sup
plies as already stated, and the large
movement to and fro of japanese and
Chinese principally, this year, we have
prepared a table of estimated popula-
ton as of October 1, on page 16. No
reliable figures of births and deaths
throughout the Islands are obtainah.e,
hence the difficulty of keeping accu-
rate trace of the growth and decline of
the population between the periods of
national stock taking"
Honolulu experienced trying times
during the year from scarcity of water
supply, through the very light rains of
the preceding winter and the almost
total absence of the usual summer
showers. The supply for the lower
part of the plains and Waikiki was
augmented for a period through pump
ing into the mains from the artesian
well at Thomas Square by one of the
steam fire engines. This expensive
method was discontinued after several
weeks trial, and arrangements made to
sink a new 10-inch well at Waikiki,
which resulted in g. successful flow be-
ing obtained at depth of $40 feet.
This Will be a great relief to the drain
hitherto upon the Malliki supply, and
the wells intermediate. And, as if to
the critical condition of the
city. fires have been more numerous
than usual. with more serious loss
thereby than for years past, the prin-
cipal one being the government kero-
sene warehouse in the early part of
June last, with some $1,000 cases of oil
and gasoline.
In connection with the foregoing is
to be noted the improvement of the
Honolulu fire department during the
period under review. Engine Company
No 1 rejoices in the possession of a
new steamer, and has fitted up their
house with electric appliances and
trained horses for immediate connec-
ton with the engine when signalled to
duty, after the modern methods in
large cities. A new chemical engine
has also been received. to be located
on the plains" but no building has
been erected for it as yet, nor do we
learn that any company has been
formed to do duty with it.
Business in general throughout the
Islands, as we'll as in Honolulu, has
felt the depressing effects of the set
back to our sugar industry already re-
ferred to. Yet it is a strange fact that
while this condition of business is no
ticed and the withdraI of money from
the free circulation enjoyed the past
few years has been felt, there has been
no suspension of the building activity
recorded both in 1889 and 1890. If any
thing, the city has more to show in
new and improved residences than any
prior year, largely due, no doubt, to
the successful working of the Pioneer
Building and Loan Association, estab-
lished this year.
The substitution of the fine new
Cummins' block, corner of Fort and
Merchant streets for the former build
ings covering that site-completed
within the year-adds materially to the
improved condition of the city, as does
also the completion of the Robinson
block on Hotel street and the Foster
building, corner of Nuuanu and Ma
rine streets. The new edifice of the
Central Union Church, corner Of Rich
ards and Beretania streets is making
good progress, and Will probably reach
during the coming year. It's
was laid. with apppropri-
ate ceremonies, June 8, 1891. 1t is be-
ing built of fine grained blue lava rock,
the same as the Kamehameha School
and Bishop Museum buildings, quar-
ried from the hills in the neighborhood
of the school premises, at Kalihi.