The Hawaiian gazette., 1907-03-05
GAY A LANAI
WITNESS
tFrom Saturdays Advertiser)

The Committee on Public Lands met
last night to resume the Lanai investi-
CATION. Mr.. Akau was absent owing
to the death of his wife. j. II. Boyd,
which weighed down his buttonholc,
acted as interpreter.
+, L. Harvey was called and sworn
as witness. Representative Rawlins
conducted the examination.
Mr.. Harvey was called upon to fden.
tify various portions of land on a map
of the Island of Lanai and was qucs,
toned particularly in regard to the
water supply.
NJ. T. Lyons of the Public Lands or.
fee was next called and sworn by Mr..
Rawlins. who brought out the fact that
Mr.. Pratt had left Honolulu shortly
after the publication of the Lanai ex-
change advertisement. Mr.. Lyons tes-
titled that he was in charge of the
Land Office during Mr.. Pratts absence,
and that during that period he was IN
receipt of only one application for land
exchange. this being from Mr.. Cooper.
Mr.. Kaleiopu then took up the ex,
amintion of Mr.. Lyons.
F. S. Dodge. superintendent of tho
Bishop Estate, was next placed upon
the stand by Mr. Rawlins. Mr.. Dodge
stated that as far back as 1904 Mr.
Holloway had said that the Govern,
ment would like to secure control of the
Bishop wharves; this had not been ac-
complished up to october or November,
1905, because in the opinion of the wit,
ness, Mr.. Holloway had never asked
for an appropriation for that purpose.
Early in 1906 Mr.. Dodge stated he was
approached by a third party who Of
fered a certain sum in cash for the
Bishop wharves, the understanding
being that the wharves and adjacent
third party were to be exchanged for
Lanai lands. After further -xamina-
ton by Mr. Rawlins 1t developed that
the third party in the deal was the
Territorial government.
l.. NJ. Vetlesen of the Mutual Tele,
phone CO., was the next asked to tes-
tlfy. He stated that for two years he
had resided on Lanai as chief book
keeper and store superintendent OF
Maunalei plantation. His testimony
was confined chiefly to the water sup,
ply. He stated that aside from some
wells sunk by his company the only
other effort to secure water was made
by the Palawai Development Co., which
expended between $4,000 and $4,000 In
a vain attempt to find water. Mr..
Vetlesen further stated that at tho
time this company abandoned its eff
forts the chief visible evidence of its
activity consisted of empty beer pot-
ties. In Mr.. Vetlesen's opinion the
government lands on Lanai are not
adapted to cultivation, owing to lack
of water; they were fit, he thought.
only for grazing purposes; he had new,
err heard of crops of any kind being
raised on the island. 1t is doubtful,
Mr.. Vetlesen further stated. IL a man
could make living in any manner Oh
a thousand acres of Lanai land. He
thought that If the government could
secure income bearing property in ex-
change for Lanai lands, 1t would be TO
its (the government's) interest to 90
so. Mr. Vetlesen, whose examination
lasted more than an hour. made an
excellent witness; his statements were
at all times carefully considered and
clearly expressed.
Mr.. Charles Gay then appeared be-
fore the committee. He stated that
he had been engaged in ranching on
Lanai about four years and half.
In 1900 Mr.. Payne set price on La
mai to Mr.. Gay Of 100000; he (Mr. Gay)
who at that time was unaware that
any portion of the island was govern
ment land, offered sl5O,OOO The deal
fell through At the time of the
Payne & Newman foreclosure Mr.. Gay
bought Mr.. Payne's interest two-
thirds for slOS,0O0: this comprised
about 5000 acres.
He stated further that to secure all
the island exclusive OF the government
lands and the Gibson and Irwin tracts,
he had paid $4,000.
Mr.. Gay said that he had consulted
Governor Dole in regard to some
agreement whereby the government
lands could be consolidated and the
Gay ranch lands likewise; in other
words by system of exchange all the
government lands and all Mr.. Gays
lands could be brought together in two
separate divisions of the island. Gov
ernor Dole retired before the arrange
ment could be eHecte0. A1terWaru
Mr.. Pratt offered Mr. Gay all the gov
lands on Lanai for $4,000,
which he (Mr Gay) rejected as absurd.
Afterward Mr.. Gay had another con-
on this subject with Govern
Or Carter and Mr.. Pratt, and was then
Informed that negotiations were pend
ing for the requirement of the Bishop
by the government, the price
set upon this property being, so Mr..
Gay understood. $4,000 The deal
again fell through. Since that time,
Mr.. Gay says, he has not been person.
ally connected with the affair. He
stated that at the time he bought the
lanai lands his idea was to eventually
acquire the whole island. He now I'M
ierstands that to acquire the whole
sland with the exception of the Irwin |
ands, his total outlay will be $685., 900. |
If however. Mr.. Gay stated, he had |
Inown at the time he made the first |
purchase, the lands he now expects to
lcquire would cost him $252,000. he
would never have bought any property |
IN Lanai The whole question seems |
o hinge upon the possession of the |
daunalei spring: whoever holds the |
'pring, In Mr.. Gays opinion, controls
he Island. as It is the only dependable |
iource of water on Lanai.