The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1901-09-24
THE FIRE UNDER CONTROL
HOPEFUL MESSAGE FROM JAMES
BOYD
Hamakua Plantations Send One Hun
dred and Fifty Men Out to Fight the
Fire-Horner in Command.


Governor Dole received the following
wireless telegram from Superintendent
of Public Works James II. Boyd dated
Honokaa, September %:
Just returned forest fires still burn
ing, but under CONTROL government as
sistance is not necessary. Report later.
No rain,
experimenting this a letter was re-
ceived from Mr.. Boyd under an earlier
date giving more detailed information
This letter was as follows
MY previous communication to you
was written on the morning of the 18th
just after arrival at Kawaihae, and in
dicating intention to proceed at once to
source of Waimea district fires.
Il now, sir, present the following ad-
ditional report of events since dispatch
of former note:
I'VE left Akona's place, Waimea, at
II o'clock on the 18th instant, to pro-
coed to Hanapoe and view the state of
fire affairs there existing. Journey
was rapidly made and the rain indica-
tons crossing Waimea plains became
tangible, fast successive heavy show
ers wettng 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 a 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, | met him and Mr.. F..
w. Carter, and without rest we went
forward direct to the scene of the Ha-
makua district fire, Mr.. Horner guild
ing. A 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 fence en-
closing a 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.
1--WE returned to Mr.. Horners house
at II p 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 indefatigable
and deserves great credit for his ner-
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, ne
rain and fresh winds. Will write al
next opportunity. We leave in thirty
minutes for Kaala, back of Ookala.'
HILO, September 20.-There was
meeting of the Hamakua plan
tation managers last Saturday
! afternoon at Louisson's coffee planta-
ton to consider ways and means of
suppressng the forest fires. Those
| present were the Louisson brothers,
David Forbes of Kukuihaele, j. A. Watt
| of Honokaa, James Glib of Paauhau,
A. Lydgate of Paauilo, Albert Homer
| of Kukaiau and w. G. Walker of 90
kala. After talking the situation over
it was decided to send men from all
| the plantations to make a concerted
effort against the fire. The operate
will be under the direction of Albert
Horner and w. c. Walker. The num-
| Der of men sent against the fire is one
| hundred and fifty.
Wednesday morning there were
traces of rain fall in portions of the
| Hamakua district.-Hilo Tribune.
HILO, September 20-Deputy Sher-
| if Overend and II. 4. Lee returned
Wednesday from a weeks trip through
| Tamakua. Mr.. Overend says that the
discomfort and distress and loss caus-
ed by the drought has not been eXag-
gerated and scarcely can be. The dust
is the bane of existence of the people
of the district and the water famine
| is unprecedented. Mr.. Overend who
at one time lived in the Hamakua dis
| trict. is familiar with all the back
country and the water facilities in dry
times. He considers the scheme to
conserve the water on a large scale, as
| contemplated by capitalists who are
seeking the concession, TO be perfectly
feasible and practical. He says there
is more than enough water wasting in
the hills each year, to make the whole
cane area garden spot through any
drought-Hilo Tribune.
HILO, September 20-The Hilo Trl-
bune this morning says: Telephone
reports yesterday afternoon from 90
kala state that rains have fallen In
the hills mauka of that point. Tuesday
night the rainfall was .03 inches and
Wednesday night 20 inches This has
been sufficient to subdue the forest
fires in that neighborhood, which is re-
ported to be now in a smouldering
state No rains fell in the canefields
below. The rains did not extend into
the Kukaiau neighbOrhood where the
fires are still burning.