The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1902-07-28
WORKED
At NIGHT
WaiInea Gets Water
Works in a
Hurry.

superintendent j. II. Boyd of the De-
partment OF Public Works returned
yesterday from Kauai where he went
on a curious mission. Citizens of Wal
mea protested to him that ~ private
was building water works
into the village, and they objected TO
the innovation. While the natives
made no particular protest against the
water they did object to having the
mains run over what they considered
their private lands. and Superintendent
Boyd was asked to settle the dispute.
When the. Waimea Waterworks Co.
first began the construction of its
water system no permission was asked
of the Department of Public Works for
the use of the streets and roads, and
finally the natives. In and about Wal
mea protested TO the Department IN
Honolulu. The SVairnea Waterworks
Co. was accordingly notified TO sop
further work until the matter could
be investigated, and did SO. though all
but twenty-si8 feet of the mains had
been laid. Then one dark night the
corporation followed the example set
by the Rapid Transit Co. n Honolulu
and the next morning residents of Wal
mea woke up to find their town cnn-
nected with a new and up-to-date
water system with pure mountain
water at their doors ready for use.
They didn't like it. though. and com
planned to the, road officials. who in
turn notified Mr., Boyd. When ne ar
rived at Wairnea he was met by Gel
egation of angry natives. the COM
pany's digging of trenches at night
having aroused the community to ac-
ton.
A mass meeting was called by Mr..
Boyd, at which the situation was thor
oughly canvassed. Mr.. Boyd, upon in
xestigation, learned that the trenches
had been dug: over both private and
Government lands, without any author
ity, but ne was Of the opinion that the
construction OF the waterworl1S was to
the advantage. Of the people He ex-
planned to the assembled citizens that
where before they were compelled tc
drink foul and, dirty water from the
streams. they could now get, fresh
water from the. mountains, and it WIS
unan nousIy voted 20 permit the water
pipes to remain. on the land under GER
tain conditions.
The water is brought to waimea from
the mountains four miles above the
and Mr., Boyd stated last night
that it was a good thing for the town.
as it would always assure fresh water
supply. The line was built by the Wal
mea Water Works Co. of which G.. e.
Hoffgard is manager and Francis Cay,
Olmstead and others are interested.
The Legislature appropriated money
for the construction of the waterworks
at the last session, but the shortage of
funds made the work impossible. The
private corporation is allowed to re-
main in the field. under certain ,condi-
lions, one of which is that the Gov
eminent may. take possession. when
ever it is financially able SO tSido.
superintendent Boyd also Inspected
roads and bridges in the various sec
lions of Kauai,o. The Wainea bridge is
in bad conditiQn and must seGrebuilt,
though the roads. in the district. are
all right. and sin. the Keolau, district
they are also in good shape The wharf
at Nawiliwili is almost a total wreck.
and Superintendent BOYD stated yester-
day that it viii be replaced by a new
structure as saan as the plans and
specifications caa be drawn. The cost
of the new docks viii be from, $500 to
$4,000 t,,.