The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1906-10-12
FOR HARBOR
DREDGING

Discussion OF the report OF the TOM
1nittee on Harbor AID Transportation
published elsewhere In this issue, was
the principal feature OF the meeting OF
the trustees OF the Chamber OF Com
merce yesterday afternoon. The re-
mort presented an array Of figures con-
cerning necessary appropriations for
the future improvement Of Honolulu
harbor beyond the present dredged sec
lions. the same being based on the rec
concentrations Of Captain slattery, U.
s. A.. engineer in charge Of such i'm
provements. The appropriations rec
tons never before used for harbor pur-
poses. II done, this will bring the mar
bor lines to the edge OF property owned
by the Dowsett Estate and the oahu
Railway. This portion proposed Tor
dredging is a tidelands area OF ABOUT
six acres on which the Federal govern
1nent has an option for 81.
Argument was used at the meeting
that an appropriation for dredging out
this section would benefit private in
terests rather than the community at
large In support of the report 1t was
stated that 1t was based entirely on
captain Slattery's. recommendations,
and that this new area was necessary
for the greater harbor for future In
crease in shipping, and therefore was
a development necessary for the gem
eral community.
WOULD SAVE 100000.
The report was read by Mr.. Paxton.
chairman Of the committee. He also
read a resolution to the effect that the
dredging Of this area, as well as the
section on which the present lighthouse
is located, was necessary, and 1t was
important also that both contracts be
made at the same time, which would
involve a saving of perhaps 100000.
George w. Smith moved that the res
olution be adopted. L. Tenney Peck
wanted to know whether or not the ex-
leave private property abutting on the
basin, rather than public property. Mr.
Paxton replied that lands of the Dow
sett Estate and the Oahu Railway
would abut thereon. The intent or the
greater harbor however, was to IN
crease the size of the basin of the mar
ror to give room for the large steamers
&c swing about.
Mr.. Peck replied that he thought
there would be no question as to the
advisability of the Chamber of Com
merce voting Immediately to recon-
mend the cutting away of the danger
GUS spit known as Lighthouse Point,
hut he was not so sure of the other
area.
SPALDING WANTS TIME.
Mr.. Spalding suggested 1t might be
wise not to act hastily in such mat
Ter. The members of the chamber
should have little time to consider
the matter before committing itself to
a vote. He suggested that the matter
be deferred to the next meeting or to
a special meeting and that 1t be made
the special order of business. He ask
ed whether 1t were not possible to en-
large the harbor in any other way than
that recommended. ''Of course, 1t will
enhance the value of private interests
and at the same time help the general
interests" he added.
Mr. smith stated that the area under
discussion was under option of 81 to the
Federal government. The option Will
expire in practically short time ana
after that lit will be impossible to get
that option again, and the area VIII
cost Congress tremendous amount OF
money to acquire. The committee,
however, emphasized mainly the light
house section.
1.-THE time to act" he said. sis to act
promptly, as 1t may require two ses-
sions of Congress to get these appro-
priations"
Mr.. Smith added that the matter had
been up before the Merchants Associ-
alton and was thoroughly understood
by that body.
NO PRIVATE INTERESTS.
Mr.. Paxton at this Juncture arose to
say that no private interests had been
considered in the slightest degree. Il
have not even thought of such inter-
ests," he said. "These private prop
erty interests WOulu pFoDaply Idliel
desire to see the option expire basing
that desire on the present value OF
lands in that locality. The recon-
mendations are based entirely upon the
views of Captain Slattery."
Mr. Gait was inclined to agree with
Mr.. Smith. He thought the committee
had gone into the matter thoroughly
and members must naturally base their
ideas on such reports, especially where
the recommendations originally came
from the Federal authorities, or his
own knowledge he knew that the map
of the proposed improvements was not
altogether new, having seen 1t some
time before as prepared by the army
engineer in charge of this work He
said he happened TO know that the
option on this property was taken by
the Federal authorities on their own
initiative and he did not believe there
We're any personal interests being con-
sidered that would be greatly bene-
fitec.
Mr.. Spalding's motion prevailed, Mr..
Smith consenting to the amendment.
1t is said that so far as the Dowsett
Estate being benefited by the dredging
out of this area is concerned, IL In al
raadu hana6t ed hy the inner harbOr he