The Hawaiian gazette., 1904-03-01

The electric lighting of stations 3,
5. and is now obtained from a Gem
trail" at No. :. This arrangement (ef-
fected during the year, is fully as con-
venlent and more economical.
FUEL OIL.
with the exception OF No g. change
of fuel, for all the pumping stations,
from coal to oil, was effected during
December last. owing to the peculiar
construction of NE furnaces of the
"Climax" boiler at No. 3, 1t is necessary
to have a special oil-burning device to
suit. AS soon as this has been made
oil will be used there.
That in 1904 the use of oil in place of
coal will result in financial gain there
can be no doubt. Nevertheless 1t Is not
apparent that there has been any loss
through the use of coal during 1908.
Various causes combined to reduce the
| average price of coal during the year
to such low figure that there was
very little room for choice between the
| two kinds of fuel.
BUILDINGS.
| This heading embraces II houses for
| laborers, containing IS rooms, with
cook houses, bath-house and wash
house, fire-proof vault 12xl2 inside
measurements for office, enlargement
| of office and completion of round-house.
| Removal and enlargement of black
| smith, carpenter and car-repair shops
| were also effected during the year.
| These last have been moved to a far
| more convenient locality, enlarged to Il
| size commensurate with the work re-
quired to be performed in them, and
both interior and exterior arrange
| ments made in the interests of econo-
| my.
CLEARING.
| About 200 acres of new land was ad-
ded in 1903 to the plantation and plant
ed. owing to the rocky nature of these
lands this clearing has been costly, but
/ as long as the present Pumping Plant
could furnish sufficient water for their
cultivation it was considered profitable
to take them in. AS the limit of the
present Pumping Plant has almost been
reached further clearing will be very
slight in the immediate future.
CANE-LOADING MACHINES.
| AS the loading of cane on cars by
machinery is merely question of time,
| and, as the advantageous use of ma
| chimes entail the use of sided cars. it
was thought best to begin alterations
| in 1903, so as to be able to take advan-
| tage of any successful loading device
| offered without delay. our cars are,
therefore, now being altered to the far
| ing-side type. The Gregg" Loader
| mentioned in last report was given n
thorough trial in the field and records
| kept of it's performance. The Wilson
machine is at present writing, being
| tested in Field "A" The data of the
| first-named loader show that it is not
| cheaper than loading by hand at pres
ent rates. on the other hand there are
| indirect advantages in the use of ma
chimes, which, with different labor con-
| ditions. will render them highly desir-
able. For this reason Mr.. Wilson was
| encouraged to try his machine at Eva
so that comparison might be made, in
| actual field service and under similar
conditions, between his loader and that
of Mr.. Gregg.
PROTECTED IMPROVEMENTS 1904
For No. Pump Station
Removal and lowering No. Pump to
position.
2 22O-H. p. Babcock & Wilcox boilers
each 1876 So. it. Heating Surface.
| l Tank for Fuel oil with connections.
For Mill
2 Multitubular Boilers G. S"x2O' 400 H.
| =. (replacemenD.
| l Crystallizer for experimental pur-
! poses.
These cover the large expenditures.
There will be minor improvements here
and there. But, unless something I'M
| foreseen arises, you may be assured of
a substantial reduction in 1904 of money
spent for improvements. During the
past four years there have been large
| investments in plant But, as a whole,
| with the exceptions above mentioned,
our big things are done, and we can
now reap their benefits.
SUGAR MARKET.
The passage of the Cuban Reciprocity
Bill by Congress- was followed by 81
drop in price of sugar have no doubt
but that the same cause will operate
throughout the coming year to depress
the market value of our product. In
fact, while such was not the intent OF
the Bill. the net result of its passage is
and will be, a very severe blow to the
sugar interests of this Territory.
While commenting on this matter il
will be gratifying to remember that
this estate is we'll equipped and wei
kept; that expenses are being reduced
wherever possible; and that, conse-
quently, it is we'll prepared to meet
these adverse conditions.
Respectfully submitted,
GEO. +. RENTON,