The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1902-08-12

the upper levels would furnish at the
light station sufficient power not only
to make electricity to give twice as
much light as is now utilized, but al
the same time furnish power for the
running of the pumps now used for the
low level service. and which could then
be used for fire service directly.
The plans for the lettering OF the
supply of water have been engaging the
attention OF Superintendent Andrew
Brown for years. He has seen the need
of improved supply and as well of
better methods for distribution. One
of the essentials in his opinion Is to
make use of the natural advantages IN
the way of impounding the storm wa
tiers for the purpose of supply, and
thus saving the enormous amounts ex-l
pended for coal, which often costs the
Territory the high price of $1,000 a ton
The next thing in his opinion is the
laying of water pipes where there are
none, and the relaying of pipes In
places where the first system hts been
outgrown by the city. There is one
street in the city which has no water
pipes. Vineyard, and there are many
parts of others which are without this
protection.
Superintendent Brown called attention
most forcibly TO this condition Of al
fairs At that time he asked Tor an
appropriation of $4,000 for the pur-
chase OF $4,000 feet of eight-inch and
25, 600 feet OF six-inch pipe. and So,ooV
for the purchase of 120 fire hydrants.
This was three years ago and the
growth of the city since that time has
been great and along lines which make
the taking Of steps to protect II from
fire even more imperative the plansl
of superintendent Brown contemplate
the replacing of all three-inch pipes
with six-inch and the four-inch with
eight This would ensure ample sup
pIy of water at every point OF the city.
The present pipes in some instances are
so small that the fire engines cannot
secure water enough to supply their
pumps when there is fire and thus
there is great danger where there
should be ample protection
should this system be put into opera
ton there would be a constant pressure
of seventy pounds to the square lncn
kept in the mains and this would be
met nv the Fire Commission installing,
in the outlying suburbs of the city,
where there is now nothing to do but
wait for the arrival of an engine.
When there is a fire reported, hose
carts could operate against small
Are with the same facility and
success as does fire engine al the
present time. The recent additions tol
the buildings of the city of so many
shacks. built for oriental occupancy
and the fact that these are being erect
ed all over the city is responsible for
the anxiety on the part Of the com
missioners for safety through better
supplies to fight the element.
But while Superintendent Brown has
these plans for economical and full
supply of water in mind, he at the
same time is moving with the facilities
al his command to furnish as good
protection and supply as possible. Ast
soon as the Kalihf reservoirs are IN
shape. with the string of storage dams
at that point. on Punchbowl slopes and
at Diamond Head, there would be held
at a heighth of 10 feet above the low
lands. a supply of some 100000 gal
Ions of water, for the reservoirs are
a1uavs filed before the pumps stop at
,tybt which would insure the pres
apre required to give perfect fire pro-
lection all over the city. These reser-
yoirs are at the same level and will
nrevent any danger from water short
ape The first signal of fire means
the opening of the gates. turning into
the mains in the region where IL Is
needed a full supply of water. ana
within few minutes there Is an added
nressure from the starting OF the
n,,rrps. which work directly into the
mains.
The improvements planned and need
cd are in the line with those already
made. in tina, the FIRE signal system Is
now working well.