The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1904-08-26
CONTINUED from pag, s.)


uctive tracts on the upper slopes. in
terspersed. however, by valuless lava
wastes of great areas.
The development of this section has
not kept pace with that on the wind
ward side, the latest statistics show
ing an alarming diminution in, First,
population. Second, output and tom
mage of food products raised for ex-
port. domestic or foreign. Third. de-
probation in values through the col
lapse OF the sugar and coffee interests
in the two Konas.
On the windward side of the Island,
every hand are emphasized the condi-
lions of increase of population. extern
sion in all branches OF commerce and
industry and agricultural development.
in constant increasing value and mark
ed appreciation, in taxable values and
returns to the Territorial Government.
These statements are borne out by
a reference to the table, column No. 2,
compiled from the tax lists. The re-
turns for the year 1904 have been omit
ted. being as yet incomplete, but the
immense losses suffered in the Kona
and Kau districts, to which attention
has been called, will show a further
marked decrease in both values and
population.
From the lists We gather that of the
total amount of taxes collected from
the whole Island for the year 1903
S2S3, 1918 or 1884 per cent came from
East Hawaii and only sos, 644.94 or 27.16
per cent from West Hawaii.
The districts We're placed in this or
der to conform to the Counties as ar
ranged by the late County Act. the
former representing East, the latter
West Hawaii County. The suggestion
from the East County to the West,
transferring Kau from the West to the
East County. The showing made by
this change would be but an unim-
portant one, inasmuch as the total gain
of Hamakua to the West County
would be but s11.SS7.53.
Again we see that the suggested sub
stitution of Hamakua for Kau would
not sensibly affect the tito, the East
side still remaining numerically su-
perior, in the ratio of 62 per cent to
Ss per cent, as per census of 1900.
The population in the first four dis
tricts has materially increased since
the census of 1900, and this contention
Is borne out by a review of the poll
tax lists for 1903: see column No. 3,
showing East Hawaii had 1916 tax
payers, or 70 per cent and West Ha-
wall. 1862 or 81 per cent.
There are 1S,03S taxpayers on the
1903 lists which indicates further that
the receipts in road tax, see column
No. 4, were as follows:
East Hawaii, $26352 or 10 per cent.
West Hawaii, $9,724 or % per cent.
The total road mileage, not including
homestead roads in North and South
Kona, on the Island of Hawaii, is
about as shown in column No. 5, show
ing East Hawaii with 200 miles or 1.66
per cent and West Hawaii, $50 or 1894
per cent.
The road taxes are a special deposit
to be drawn upon for road work only;
the same with the road mile
age as per column No. g. we find East
Hawaii paid $l3l.76 per mile of road
and West Hawaii $34.72.
From the Treasurer's Report for the
year ending June 3Oth, 1902, we find
that the Current Account Receipts
from all sources during that period
from the Island of Hawaii to have
been $527, 15S.13 as per column No. Z.
showing East Hawaii contributed
s4O3, 466.4S or 76,5 per cent, and West
Hawaii 1923, 69l.65 or 23.5 per cent.
The total amount of expenditures
from Cur. ent Account Receipts during
the same period We're about 1921, 334.OO,
as per column No. s, showing that East
Hawaii received s13O,1SS.OO or 1922 per
cent of what they paid in and West
Hawaii received s91, 1900 or 74.S per
cent of what they paid In.
The array of figures herewith given
not alone that dual coun-
ty system would be impracticable
whatever the combination, but that a
single system is essential for the COM
mon welfare and prosperity of all.
This really is the question of mo-
ment, and this is why the trend of
opinion points to the single county
dea.
Coming next in Importance to the
question of county forms. comes the
question and choice OF county seat
Local pride, local interests, the factors
Of accessibility or remoteness of con-
tiguous areas that can be rendered
tributary, proximity of such proposed
center to a harbor for the accommo-
iation of shipping or to arteries of
-raYel, or located at the termini of
'ailway connections, all such are fac
ors that must be duly weighed, con-
'idered and settled at the outset. in
rider that the final outcome may re-
ult in the greatest good to the great
st number.
Among the many expressions of op-
Mon that have voiced the public SEN
iment on this question, the prepond-
rating choice appears to have fixed
ipon Hilo as being the one place pos
tossing all the requirements enumer-
ted.
Nesting at the foot OF high hills al
most reaching down TO the waters
'dge and flanked on either side by
bluffs that fortified could .
ender II impregnable 10 assault. with
harbor covering more Than 1900 acres
nj deep enough aud spacious enough 4
q tlpnt All the naVles nf the Pacific, /
lf..4NA taaa.AaIfsr a. lurN.a A. hon. NH.a-