The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1906-10-11
FOR HARBOR
DREDGING
Chamber of Commerce
Considers New
Plans.

Discussion of the report of the Com
mittee on Harbor and 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-
port presented an array of figures con-
corning necessary appropria ions for
harbor beyond the present dredged sec
tons, the same being based on the rec
concentrations of Captain Slattery, u.
Is. A, engineer in charge of such inn
provements. The appropriations rec
commended are to dredge out new sec
tions never before used for harbor pur-
poses If done, this will bring the har-
Dor lines to the edge of property owned
by the Dowsett Estate and the Oahu
Railway. This portion proposed for
dredging is a tidelands area of about
six acres on which the Federal govern
ment 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 it was
stated that it was based entirely on
Captain Sfattery'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 s100. .00O
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 it 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-
eavations in this section would not
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 OF the
greater harbor. however, was 20 in
crease the size of the basin Of the har-
-, fx,- S+p 7Gy.
tc swing about.
Mr.. Peck replied that he thought
there would be no question as to the
adyisa bility OF the Chamber OF Com
merce voting Immediately to recon-
mend the cutting away of the danger
Gus spit known as Lighthouse Point,
but he was not so sure Of the other
area.
SPALDING WANTS TIME.
Mr.. Spalding suggested it might be
wise not to act hastily in such a 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 it be made
the special order of business. He ask
ed whether it were not possible to en-
large the harbor in any other way than
that recommended. "Of course. it will
the value of private interests
and at the same time help the general
he added.
Mr.. Smith stated that the area under
discussion was under option of 81 to the
Federal government. The option viii
expire in practically a short time and
after that it will be impossible to get
that option again, and the area will
cost Congress a tremendous amount of
to acquire. The committee,
however, emphasized mainly the light
house section.
THE time to act" he said, sis to act
promptly, as it 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
ssts,' he said. These private prop
arty interests would probably rather
1esire to see the option expire, basing
hat desire on the present value OF
ands in that locality. The recon-
1.endations are based entirely upon the
Jews Of Captain Slattery-"
Mr.. Gait was inclined to agree with
Nr Smith. He thought the committee
lad gone into the matter thoroughly
md me 7nfYers mus naturally base their
deas on such reports. especially where
he recommendations originally came
rom the Federal authorities. OF his
,wn knowledge ne knew that the map
If the proposed improvements was not