The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1904-03-18

it is impossible for those in authority
to pursue any course except that aim
ing at the extinction of this evil and
although the provisions Of the Act to
mitigate cannot be legally enforced. I'M
til such time as the evil can be wholly
stamped out, or the Territory be given
authority to legislate on such matters.
this community has the right to de-
mand of the police authorities that they
restrict to certain limits the class of
people engaged IN this class of bust
ness, and chat some medical require
ments not Inconsistent with the laws
be enforced.
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
Robertson House Fire:-On this
matter your Grand Jury reports as fol-
lows
Il. That a still alarm was turned in;
that after having secured the attention
of the Central Telephone Office. five
minutes elapsed before communication
was had with the Central Fire Station,
and some seven minutes to get the Ma
kili Fire station, or from ten to twelve
minutes to notify the Fire Departmnt
that there was a fire.
"2. That there was an mexhaustible
supply of water within 200 feet of the
burning buildings, which, by actual
weir measurement, amounts to 1889 900
gallons every twenty-four hours, or
72112 gallons per minute, with no per-
ceptible variation in the flow.
"3. That within 800 feet of the burn
ing buildings there was a four-inch
ground hydrant with two-inch outlet
a. That within 1000 feet of the
burning buildings there was a standing
hydrant with one four-inch and two 21a
inch outlets.
-. That some tnirty-fve minutes
elapsed between the arrival of the ap-
paratus of the Fire Department and
the procurement of a stream of water
that was of sufficient force and flow to
be of any practical use
&c. That had the available water
been used within q reasonable time af-
ter the arrival of the Fire Department,
the cottage occupied by Mr.. North
would probably have been saved in
tact.
ment there are:
"G). No regular times of inspection;
"C2). No records kept or written re-
ports made of fire drills or inspections;
"(3). No diagrams in the possession
of the Department OK the available wa
ter here in Honolulu, other than the
regular hydrants;
90. That no competitive fire drills
have ever been held by the Department
50. That the Chief of the Fire De-
partment was not present at the Rob
ertson fire, thinking the same unnec-
essary; and not desiring to leave the
city unprotected by his absence, in con-
sequence thereof sent his assistant.
That when the Chief of the Fire De-
partment goes to a fire within the city
limits, he rides upon the chemical en-
CINE.
80. To fires in outlying districts the
Chief goes in his buggy, but this buggy,
with the horse, is kept in an outer shed,
in charge of an hydrant man or mes
senger boy.
10. 1t has an ordinary harness hang
ing upon a peg, but has none of the ia
cilities for speedy dispatch that the
other apparatus is provided with, caus-
ing unnecessary loss of time and rem
derng the Chiefs presence first at a
fire practically impossible
I'll. That fire alarm boxes and hy-
drants are insufficient in number in the
outer districts, Notwithstanding the
fact that a requisition for additiona
!, ,,fg hoe
made to the Legislature and refused.
"12. In conclusion, after a thorough
) investigation into this case, we attri'
butte the destruction and loss, by fire
of the Robertson house and the adjoin-
ing property, firstly: to an error II
Judgment on the part of the foreman
, of the MakiIi Fire Station of the Fire
Department; and, secondarily to lacl
of proper fire alarm facilities and {
better knowledge by those in authority
of the available water located at pre-
sent in Honolulu, other than hydrants
"19. 1t is our belief that the mos
imperative needs of the Fire Depart
ment are:
81. Proper facilities for the speed!
dispatch of the Chiefs buggy such al
e are in use in other cities.
D go. Additional automatic fire alarm
4 boxes;
y "3. Additional hydrants.
- "a. An automatic alarm connecting
t the Central Telephone station witt
5 each fire station, and that each fir
f station be connected by private tele
f phone
6 rs. We recommend that the abov
\ be supplied as soon as possible.
> IA. On Thursday March 10, 1904, a,
alarm was turned in from Box No. ?
corner Punchbowl and Queen streets
which was responded to promptly b
d the Department, the apparatus arrivin
If upon the scene in three minutes an
e thirty seconds, which we deem a yer
j. creditable performance.
e THE BOUQUETS.
s. 1--WE visited the Central Fire Static
r and were received and shown about b
n Chief Thurston and his assistant Will
~ !