The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1907-02-09

tho results that We're hoped for achiev-
ed
To push lands on the market I'm large
aiIotments that viii not and indeed
cannot at present be used, means that
they would fan into the hands OF AL
ready large holders to whom they
would De of some use I'm connection
with present holdings Dummies can
too often be- found to take up land I'm
every country, or at least perfunctory
compliance may be made with copdI-
| lions until title is obtained and then
for the best bidder, generally the al
| ready large land holder.
large part Of the public land suit
| able for cultivation lies within the for
est belt at an elevation Of from 1900 to
1000 feet; while many diverse views are
held as to the wisdom Of conserving
this forest, 1t is question of impor-
lance to the Territory and an added
reason why the matter of the DISPOSE
ton of the public land should be eau
tiously dealt with.
Under the conditions as to the pub
Tic lands and land laws, 1t is evident
that the Survey Department has no
light task in the laying out of lands
for settlement
To perform the work with accuracy.
to furnish to the Commissioner of Pub
lie Lands the varied information re-
CURED by him. to consider carefully the
nature and value of the land and to
divide the same with reference to such
nature and value, and with the further
consideration of means Of access TO
all lots laid out, is the task before this
office. The endeavor is and has been
to spare no pains to do this work to the
best interest Of the community.
During the year ending June SJth
1906, number of tracts on the islands
of Hawaii Maui, Oahu and Kauai
containing over $500 acres, were sub
divided into homestead lots for disposal
under the land laws.
| Detail surveys were made of twelve
additional tracts containing an area of
$500 acres and a number of forest ve-
serves were located and described hav-
ing net area of 7S,4GJ acres of public
land. The nature of these tracts varies
from valuable city lots and first class
agricultural lands, to grazing fields of
poor quality. Much Of the land is of
a rugged character and the Isolated
| locations required extensive road sur
veys to make good connections with
the nearest public main thoroughfares.
| While doing the general field work, SO
school lots at various points through
out the Territory We're surveyed.
Much miscellaneous office work has
necessarily followed, but need not be
detailed here.
The recent passage of laws for regis
| tation of land titles under the Tor
| rens" system has added in a consider
able measure to the work of this office.
All surveys and plans presented for
registration are examined and checked
in this office, and the necessary blue
print copies of each (5) prepared here.
All possible aid is given to the officers
of the Court of Land Registration from
the maps and records of this office, OF
by any explanations or information
which it is in the power of the office tC
give.
The increasing number of petition,
for registration is a gratifying indica
ton OF tho growing popularity of a sys'
tenn that means much for the clearing
up and simplifcation of titles in this
Territory.
> AS to the survey needs of the Terri
tory which this office has not the force
to meet, a geological survey which
would include study of the water re-
sources of the country appears most
important. The richest soils of the
country are in general the driest ones,
and while private enterprise has done
and is doing much to develop water
resources and has reduced to cultiva-
ton much of this dry land, a more
comprehensive study or the matter Is
needed. Waters are still running to
waste that are needed for power and
irrigation; tunnelling has developed
considerable water and might develop
much more with the help of better geo.
logical information; the conservation
of storm waters is still in it's infancy.
While the Survey Department is not
equipped for the study of this matter,
it is in a position to cooperate and as
sist any survey, Federal or Territorial.
that might be intrusted with this i'm
portant work Very respectfully,
WALTER f. WALL, Surveyor.
His EXcelency, G. r. CARTER,
Governor Of the Territory of Hawaii.