The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1902-12-12

But If the remaining area of the harbor
Is used economically, it would seem to
De sufficient for very great extension
OF commerce before it would become
necessary to disturb this frontage.
AT present these three blocks are &C.
cupied by the custom house. two pri-
Nate warehouses, and the storage of
coal and lumber. yet there are but four
tenants to be dealt with. The block
towards Waikiki is entirely controlled
by the Inter-Island Steam Navigation
90 Their longest lease for any one lot
expires IN October, 1905 Three OF the
leases expire in 1903, and they are ten
ants az will for the remainder. The
dock towards Eva is occupied by the
present customs house and Levers &
Cooke. The central block is occupied
by the OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES Steamship
CO, its lease expiring in February. 1906
and Wilder & Co, whose longest lease
expires in December 1906. Your COM
mlttee has called on representatives of
all four Of these tenants, and begs to
report that they are unanimous in the
statement that they win not hinder or
obstruct this plan, if it is adopted.
From the facts set forth il is evident
that this site can be secured with the
least possible delay of any YET pre-
scented.
Ihls being the case. your committee
feels that this location is one which can
be accepted as a compromise by all,
and If all interests could be concentra-
ted, we would some day have a building
which would be a source of pride to ev-
6ry inha of the TarrifOrI-
Respectfully submitted,
G. r. CARTER.
George Davis was the first speaker
when the reports were laid before the
meeting. He said that he wanted two
buildings, one for the custom house and
and the other for the postoffice. He
thought the courts might be held in
The custom house, but not in the post
office. He thought the present site was
central one, that well enough should
be let alone, and that the people should
not be asked to walk away down TO the
front for their mail. The taking of the
the customs revenues, he said, made it
possible for the federal government 20
give a good building here, and it
should do so at once. This mentioning
of the present site brought out some
questioning as to the agreement of the
Lewis heirs to sell, and several repre-
sentatives of heirs gave the idea that
there could be deal made with the
estate. Mr. Dat said, however, that the
Lewis land did not cut a figure as there
would be thirty feet alongside of the
Won Holt building to be cut off, and
consequently there could be no use of
the remaining ten feet
Lorrin Andrews presented two petit
tions, signed by prominent business
men and firms, protesting against the
changing of the location of the post
Office. He said that the present loca-
ton was central and was reached by
all lines of transportation, and so was
of the highest value. He thought the
building must be away from the water
front and uptown, so there might be
az inducement for tourists to come rp
town and thus see the other good
things.
G. R. Carter said he had already
seen two signers of the petition who
were now ready to await full discussion
OF the subject before announcing them
who wanted their names off the petit
etion.
General Hartwell said that he hoped
that the committee, when it reached a
decision, would make known in the re-
port the feeling and arguments of the
citizens who had appeared. He said
he thought Congress would view ia
vorably the giving of two buildings 20
Honolulu for this was not sage brush
territory, but one where there was
large business done. He said there
was matter of sentiment in the Sc
lection, too. as the people had always
gone to the present postoffice. He
thought there was a plenty of room
there, if the building was put up three
stories
District Attorney Breckons was call
ed on, and said that the act under
which Mr.. Eustis was sent deals only
with postoffices. He said that once he
had been in fight over a site and that
there was delay of a year, after
which the Secretary of the Treasury
had to decide at last. He said that he
wanted to propose that if site was
chosen he would gladly make an opin-
ion on the abstract of title, which was
always preliminary, and which might
save six months time, so that Com
missioner Eustis could take all with
him.
w. o. Smith said that the people
here did not realize just what the fu-
ture held for Honolulu, for with the
great steamers coming, there would
have to be dredged great slips for the
ships, He thought no building should
be put within less than 500 feet of the
waterfront, as the slips would come IN
not less than 500. He discussed the
harbor room at length, and said that
he would suggest that if there was a
custom house built it should be placed
at least on the next block back.
Carter appeared to the defense OF the
Esplanade plan, saying that there
would be no delay on account of this
site. and that the custom house pull
would be behind the plan for one great
building there.
C. NJ. Cooke said he that he thought
there should be an expression as to the
location of the building, and Colonel
Parker said that he did not think there
would be anything done very soon, as
the commissioners who spent Septem-
her here would not have their report
in before January and this would De