The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1906-03-19
ROBINSON
SYMPOSIUM
Report of Park Expert
ELECTS Various
Opinions.

| citizens of Honolulu who have read
Charles milford Robinson, city beau
| tifying experts, report on the posi-
bilities of improving the city are not
only grateful to him for the opinions
expressed, but also to the long-head-
ed man who suggested sending for the
famous civic artist
| One point he made which appeared
| to appeal to all readers was preserve
the individuality of Honolulu or it's
charm will depart; do not dream of
what other cities have done, develop
your own individuality; you can af-
| ford in unwonted measure to be con-
] sentative about changes; my most
| urgent appeal to you should be a re-
tention of the DID, etc, etc.
Now if so great a civic artist makes
these pleasing suggestions to US is it
not possible that there is still an ar
fist of a higher type, a national critic
as it were, whom we could call on or
send for and who would advise us
probably in this wise: DO not be in
haste to abandon the old form of di-
visions of your land, they conform to
It's natural shape" DO not be in
haste to adopt methods of cultivation
which have proven applicable to other
countries, when what you have are
adapted to you" do not keep ex-
pensively trying to bring cultivators
from temperate zone to till lands in
.he tropics. bringing Esquimaux, as it
W. ere TO cultivate the torrid zone, in
a wish to please someone in authority
unacquainted with the situation"
What you have found to be the prop
er type of laborer adhere to- DO
not be swayed by the winds which
blow from Norway, Germany, Ga
licia, Portugal, Porto Rico, or the
Southern States, but be content with
the delicious trades which you have
SO long enjoyed" TRY rather to
sway the authorities that be into see
ing the futility of compelling you to
seek laborers from unnatural or I'M
suitable sources 1.-THE developing of
your soil is imperative and the greater
it's products the more call there Will
be for mechanics and Caucasians of
higher type to live amongst you and
help make your laws"
Is there not such a higher type of
critic? JAS. w. GIRVIN.
MR.. KIDWELL'S VIEWS.
Editor Advertiser: After carefully
reading Mr.. C. NJ. Robinson's report
and studying his recommendations for
the Improvement of Honolulu and its
vicinity one finds 50 much to approve
that it is with regret that one has TO
point out at least two sections which,
it seems to me, mar the perfection OF
the whole.
1t seems to me that it would be ex-
tremely unwise to expend money to
acquire property on Pacific Heights,
when the money could be so much bet
ter spent in carrying out the sug-
gested Improvement along the water
front If any man builds a hotel on
Pacific Heights he will be only too
glad to have the people go up there
to enjoy the view, as well as other
things that he may have on hand, and
there seems to be no need of govern
ment ownership. It goes without say
ing that the accomplishment of many
of the recommendations will be long
deferred. and therefore it will be wise
to spend the money that may De
available where it will make the big
gest showing, and that will not be In
acquiring more land.
The other section that I have to
complain of is so unlike the general
tenor of the report that 1 do not know
how Mr.. Robinson managed to write
it. Doubtless that giant he mentions
would look very magnificent au natur-
al, and to deck him out in baby blue
ribbon would make him look ridicu-
lcus. but I am sure that none of US
had any thought of treating poor old
Punchbowl in any such manner. L 90
not think that Mr.. Robinson will con-
tend, on second thought, that a Few
large masses of bougainvillea, planted !
far apart. would detract from the dig
nifty of the crater front in any way; |
and I am sure that it would give TO IL
an added beauty for ordinary mortals. |
AS to the trail, it certainly was our |
desire to tame, but we certainly had |
no intention to ''belittIe'' the old fell
low, and the elements will soon make
the scar look just like the rest of the ,
surface. so it seems to me that no one
ought to feel much dislike for it. 1on
can not make an omelet without /
breaking some eggs, you know.
Mr.. Robinson recommends that |
be given over to the care
Of the Forestry Department for horti-
cultural and forestry experimental
purposes. I do not pretend to know
who may have suggested such an alb
surd idea to him, but / do know that
MS knowledge of such matters must
De very crude, for the veriest tyro IN
forestry knows that to make expert
nents in forestry that would be OF any
value. they must be made on the
ground where the forest is to be plant
ID, or on ground having similar con-
iitionS.
Now it is certain that no forest will
.ver be planted in this Territory on |
ground having conditions similar to
those on Punchbowl. As to doing any
hing in the line of horticulture, that
seems to be out of the question, so far
Is the Forestry Department is con-
,erned, for during its twenty-five
Tears' existence it has accomplished
and the present outlook does