The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1905-06-30
CFrom Thursdays Adveriiser.)

Last nights session of the Board of
Supervisors was made especially inter-
esting by the presence OF Acting Cover
nor Atkinson. Chairman Smith asked
him first what the county might expect
from the territory in the way of public
buildings and utilities. The Governor
said he felt 1t was incumbent upon the
territory to see the counties properly
launched. At the same time, It was his
duty to protect the territory's interests.
His conclusion was that the Legisa-
ture, which formerly gave duties to
territorial officers, had transferred Them
to county officers, and the latter should
be given the tools to do the work. Just
how far that principle should go he
was not certain. He was satisfied to
turn over to the county all property in
connection with the duties performed
by former officers of the territory. AS
to turning over real estate. he had
doubts as to his authority to do so.
I'VE are just as much interested in
making a success of county govern
ment, however, as we wish you TO be
interested in territorial success" said
Mr.. Atkinson.
He added that there is theory that
the property referred to was vested in
the United States, going TO the Federal
control first from the Republic of Ha-
wall, and then it was probably turned
back to the territory. He thought the
property could be turned over to the
counties, by lists. with proviso that it
could be taken back on demand. The
whole matter of ownership would
shortly be decided in a case now being
considered at Washington.
The chair asked what contingency
would arise for the territory to ask for
the return OF the property. The Act
ing Governor said the county might for
some reason dispose of some of the
property. Lucas suggested the property
be leased to the county for eighteen
months. The Governor said it was not
question of lease at all. 1t was
merely a transfer, with certain pro-
visos attached.
Mr.. Atkinson, in answer to a query
from the chair, said he regarded the
property involved to be practically a
collateral against the issues of bonds
disposed in eastern financial markets.
Legally, 1t was not so considered. Mr..
Atkinson said he had stated while in
the East when arguing for loans
against the territorial bonds, that the
territory had so many millions Of prop
erty. The property desired by the
county might be considered a portion OF
this investment.
Going back to the original statement
OF the property, the Governors said
there We're duties left to the territorial
officials and they might require the use
OF the tools desired by the county, in
carrying out their work. That was a
case where the territory could exercise
its right to ask for return of the
property.
Lucas thought then that the property
so taken over was vested in the county
officers, and If the territory wanted it,
1t would have to get the consent of
the county. The Governor replied
sharply that that was not the spirit in
which the territory was considering the
transfer of the property. The territory
regarded the county as a ward, and
both had the interests of the islands at
heart.
the question of the police station build
ings. saying somewhat testify:
IF we don't get the police station
turned over to our control entirely
there will be friction down there be-
tween two officials referring to High
Sheriff Henry and Sheriff Brown.
mo. there will not be, Mr.. Lucas" re-
turned the Governor, the High Sheriff
will have his Office probably at the
prison"
A moment later the Governor In parry
ing one of Lucas's questions, said: Il
do not want to have any personalities,
Mr.. Lucas
Are you prepared to turn over the
police and fire departments, electric
light station, garbage department. ETC.,
to the county?" asked the chair
Il cannot say exactly yet" said the
Governor. DO you mean the land on
which the police station rests?"
mo. just the loan Of the station is
all we want"
1T seems to me ought to turn over
property TO you that you need to carry
Oh the county work. for we are inter-
ested in that" said the Governor.
What we want to know, Governor, is