The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1906-03-23

The necessity of making an example
of some one through a prosecution at
law in order to impress upon people
the danger of allowing forest fires til
be set out was discussed at the meet
ing of the Board of Agriculture and
Forestry yesterday. The number of
fires reported during the past month,
many of which resulted in consider
able damage to forests and cane crops,
made a long list and called for some
strong language from the members of
the Board concerning the carelessness
with which some people start fires and
allow. them to get beyond control.
These expressions of opinion were com
sdensed into the resolution given above
which was passed.
There were present at the meeting
L. A Thurston, A W. Carter, w. NJ.
Giffard. G. p Wilder, r. S. Hosmer,
superintendent of forestry, c. S. Hol-
4oway and DR. Norgaard.
MANY FIRES.
The report of the superintendent of
forestry was read. The establishment
of a forest reserve on the upper por-
ton of Waianae-kai and the adjoin-
ing valley of Lualualei was foreshad-
owed. Under the heading of Forest
Fires Mr. Hosmer gave the details of
the blaze in Palolo valley, caused by
children playing with matches in the
high grass. the big fire on the Parker
ranch, which swept over 1000 acres OF
forest, two fires back of IIilo on the
--h he la ta
an the vicinity of Puu 90, Hawaia, grass
fire at Waiakea beach on the 18th, and
one on Pakua hill back of the Naalehu
plantation This fire was fought by
men from the plantation and only by
repeated efforts was it kept from es-
Gaping into the Kinole and Kaalaikl
hills.
Another big fire called for the work
of 800 men from the Hakalau planta-
tion, the cause being natives burning
brush on one of the Kamae home
steads The fire in Kona. which may
be still burning, was also reported.
The report closed by recommending
that steps be taken against those
whose careIessness or negligence is
responsible for any of these fires. The
Board recognized that in some cases,
that of the Parker ranch fire being
quoted as an example, the fires get
away in spite of every precaution. In
that case a very severe kona came up
suddenly when ivy was being burned
and the sparks were carried into the
dry forest.
Accompanying some of the reports
of fires sent in were bills for services
rendered in fighting them, that of lr-
win & Co. being S490.
CLAIMS DISCUSSED.
discussion of this feature of for
est fires resulted in the board dis
claiming any responsibility for the
bills OF expense incurred over them.
It was suggested that the board rec
ommend the payment of them by the
Legislature, but this was overruled.
Mr.. Giffard thought that in bringing
the matter before the legislature some
thing would be done about the honae-
steaders who used no discretion in
setting out fires.
Mr. Thurston said that this was now
the business of the Prosecuting At
torneys.
Mr.. Giffard thought that the police
could do a lot more than they had
done towards fixing the responsibility
of some of the fires.
Forester was instructed to acknowl-
edge the receipt of the various bills
for services in fire fighting and to say
that the board regretted that there
was no appropriation for their pay
ment
The following fire wardens were ap-
pointed: Hugo Haneberg for kipa-
hulu district, Maui; Fred Myers for
Waianae district: III. J. Rhodes, for
Palolo district; and David Haughs was
appointed deputy fire warden for
the Territory.
CUTTING OHIA TREES.
A letter from Chas. Furneaux of Hiio.
was read, reporting the cutting OF
ohia trees along the volcano road and
q asking that steps be taken to stop IL
The matter was ordered referred 10
the Prosecuting Attorney of Hawah