The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1903-02-24

| the Government should encourage II:
| home manufacture and other new man
, ufacturing schemes, whenever private
enterprise shall be ready to take the
initiative.
In connection with the plans of the
business men of the Territory for the
exploitation OF its resources and at
fractions. | would call your attention
to the experience OF the older Terrific
ries. where II has been found advisable
to maintain a bureau tor the informa-
ton OF tourists and settlers, and
would suggest that provision be made
for such a bureau or that assistance he
given to the citizens in their conduct
of such an undertaking.
The great Worlds Fair which is to
be held at st. Louis next year will give
an opportunity for disseminating infor-
nation about the Territory which can
not be well surpassed. If the Terri
tory takes up this matter, it is worth
while TO do 1t thoroughly. ! would
recommend liberal appropriation for
this object.
One of the most important duties Of
the Legislature in the present occasion
will be for the consideration of legisla-
ton for the creation of counties, and
provision for their government. The
adjustment of the relation of such
subordinate governments to the govern
nent of the Territory in the matter of
the collection and division of taxes. the
powers of the respective governments
and their officials, the police, public
works, public instruction and the pub
lie health, require earnest study into
present conditions and the probable eff
feet upon them of contemplated chan
ges.
Certain ideals of government requir-
ing a multiplicity of officials and con-
siderable elaboration of detail might
become burden upon the small popu-
lations which must compose the ma
jority of our future counties; on the
other hand, an extreme Of simplicity
of county organization would probably
result In governments entirely made
Suate for the work which Of necessity
they ought to perform.
The question of the apportionment Of
county boundaries on the Island Of Ha-
wall, is a perplexing one. IN the dis
cussions Of this subject there appear to
be three alternative propositions; to
form the districts of Kohala, Kona and
Kau, into one county and the districts
Of Hamakua. Hilo and Puma into an
other; to form the districts OF Kohala,
Hamakua and Kona into one county
and the districts Of Hilo. Puma and Kau
into another and to have the whole
Island of Hawaii form but one county.
The first proposition would create
two counties out of all proportion to
each other in the matter of wealth, with
the weaker county carrying vastly
heavier burden in the matter OF the
maintenance of roads in view of its
smaller revenues. The second prop
osition improves the situation slightly
as regards revenues and very much
geographically. Setting apart the
whole Island of Hawaii as one county
has much to recommend it in the d.
rection of economy.
There is still another suggestion on
this subject, which may be worthy OF
consideration: the combining of ko-
hala, Hamakua, Kona and Kau as one
county. and Hilo and Puma as another.
This arrangement would form two
counties of nearly equal tax revenues
ana fairly convenient geographically.
1t is most important that legislation
on this subject should be disposed OF
early in the session, in order that there
shall be time to consider the changes
in appropriations and other legislation
which such a measure, If enacted, would
require.
In June. 1902. the Government gave
public notice of its reservation for for
est purposes of tract of $4,000 acres
lying between Maunakea and Huala-
lai on the Island of Hawaii and north
westerly to the ocean. This reserva-
tion is of old and recent lava forma-
tions and is partly covered with thin
growth of forest which is infested with
large numbers OF wild sheep. These
are rapidly destroying the underground
and threaten the existence of the larger
trees. A few wild cattle are also in the
tract. Both sheep and cattle will be
destroyed or removed elsewhere.
At the last meeting of the Sugar
Planters Association committee was
appointed by that body to confer with
the Government on the subject OF for
estry. AS a result OF such conferences
measures were mutually adopted to es'
tablish lines Of forest on all the larger
islands Of the Territory. Agents have
been appointed by the Government fol
this purpose and the work has been be
gun. A very earnest feeling amons
sugar planters and other island land
! holders upon this subject is evident
| The Executive desires that the Govern
meni shall act with these men prompt!
and effecnally. and to that end ] rec
ommend the enactment OF leglsla tiol
that shall promote measures for tn
protection and extension OF our forest
more fully than Is possible under on
present laws, and the appropriation o
public moneys 10 assist in carrying on
such policy.
In July August and September q
, 1901, extensive ana destructive fores
hres occurred In the district OF Hama
kua, on the Island ~ Hawaii A Ion
r drought had exposed that locality {
such calamity The area burned oys
consisting ui public aud private land