The Hawaiian gazette., 1906-09-14
A SURVEY
OF WATER

water supply In the survey Of the Ha'
wniinn Islands. since he gave utternncc
10 this policy at the opening Of the
wniniha power plant on Kauai several
weeks since. The Governor wrote to
the Department of Geological Survey
TO urge n federal investigation of the
local water supply.
Mr.. Newell, chief engineer of the de
partment of Reclamation Service, re-
piled to the Governor, and suggested
that perhaps the Territory Of Hawaii
could use the proceeds Of the sales of
public lands. Governor Carter states
that this fund is too small. even the
whole amount realized since annexation.
to make such survey. The revenues
from the public lands, leases, etc, are
necessary to the taking up of the bond
ed Indebtedness of the Territory, and
other expenses. There is no sinking
fund in the Territorial government with
which such survey could be made.
The GoSernor is hopeful, however, that
such fund may be authorized by the
coming Legislature.
The Governor will reply to Mr..
Newell to state, also, that the Hawai-
ian Islands are n part Of the United
States, and that whatever fund may be
set aside by Congress for water surveys
in the United States is applicable to
Hawaii as much as to Arizona or New
York State. The Governor will probab-
" ask The coming legislature to appro-
pirate at least small amount for pre-.
liminary work to be made in conjunc-
ton with any fund made available by
the next Congress.
Governor Carter foresees vast value
to the islands to have such survey
made, especially by experts of the
United States. The methods of water
surveys are very accurate. In various
sections where such surveys have been
made the experts have been able to
point out danger, for instance, from
continuing artesian well pumping. In
some eases where the warning was dis
regarded the artesian supply in these
places was exhausted and it is reported
in official papers to the departments
ut Washington, that years and years
will be required before the supply will
again be available. This is only an
instance of the value of tho water sur
yey. Mr.. Newell g letter is as follows:
Washington, D. c, Aug. %, 1906.
Hon. G. r. Carter, Governor of Ha-
wall, Honolulu, Hawaii.
Dear Sir: Your letter of August 9
TO Mr.. Walcott has been referred to
me. He is now in Utah, but l will
probably see him in Idaho in few
days. Without waiting, however, to
discuss details with him, ] will take
the liberty Of making some sugges-
tions.
The photographic Branch of the
Geological Survey has been making
measurements of surface streams and
also investigating the extent and
character of underground waters in the
United States. ] have personally de-
sired to extend the work to the Ha-
waiian Islands, and have taken the
liberty of publishing more or less
about the water resources of these is
lands whenever facts were available
I am impressed with the great oppor'
tunities for the development of power
and Of irrigation, and the necessity OF
the government of the islands keeping
such control of the water resources as
will enable the largest possible develop
ment.
We have had 100000 year to make
these Investigations. The last Con
gress, however, through a desire to
economic, cut the appropriation to
100000. 1t is hoped that the amount
will be restored to 100000, and
should be glad to see an authorization
permitting us to do work in the Ha'
waiian Islands. The present appropri
alton is contained in the Act appropri
ating for sundry civil expenses of the
government, under the head of the
Geological Survey, and is as follows
"For gauging the streams and de
termining the water supply of the
United States, and the investigation
of underground waters, including ar
tesan wells, and the preparation OF
reports upon the best methods of
utilizing the water resources, etc.
An amendment might be made by
inserting the words "including the
Hawaiian Islands, after the words,
'United States.'
1t occurs to me as entirely proper
for You officially to urge the Secretary
of the Interior to recommend that this
amendment in current legislation be
made and to follow up this matter in
Congress. The regular course of pro-
eedure would be for the Secretary to
MAKE u iui soH'
Delegate and other citizens to urge
Congress that the recommendation be
adopted.
Even with our diminished appropri-
alton ] believe that some work could
be done in the islands, and if we sue
eeed in getting a larger appropriation,
it would then be practicable to enter
systematically upon the Investigations
AS you are doubtless aware, there
has grown out of the Investigations
of the Geological Survey the actual
construction of large works for re-
claiming arid land. Under the terms
of the Reclamation Act of June IL,
1902, the proceeds from the disposal
of public lands have been made into
fund, to be used in the building OF
irrigation works. 1t is estimated that
the proceeds for the period 1901-S will
amount to over S40,000000, and plans
are being made for the expenditure OF
this amount. Already we have planned
to irrigate in the near future about
l,000,000 acres, of which 100000 acres
are now under ditch. Eight hundred
miles of canals and bitches have beer
dug and 10000 feet of tunnel bored
Over 10000 laborers are now at work
1t seems to me that similar &c
might be passed devoting the proceed
from the disposal of public lands II
A. u..,as;an IolanIa IN m "a ion