The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1908-09-22
FIVE YEARS
RESIDENCE
Discussed Before Land Law
Commission at
HiIo.

A. Lewis Jr., chairman of the Land
Law Commission, returned from Ha-
waii Sunday on the steamer Maui. He
had gone overland from Hilo to catch
the Mauna Kea, but owing to raging
surf was unable to get aboard the flag
ship and so came in later on the Maui,
Chairman Carl Smith held a meeting
of the commission at Hilo on Thurs
day morning at the court house and
listened to the suggestions of persons
interested in land matters Particular
emphasis was laid on the law relating
to the taking up of homesteads. The
discussion on this subject took in COM
ments ON the present residential clause,
Governor Frear' proposed form of
agreement, and suggestions as to roads
connecting proposed homestead areas
and the ports of export for products
raised on such lands.
w. S. Wise, attorney, spoke on a sub
ject akin to the land laws with refer,
ence to lands under the disposition of
the Superintendent of Public Works.
He spoke with reference to the disposi-
ton of lands in Hilo, and especially
those opposite Mooheau park. he con-
tended that the holding of these lands
by the Territory at the present time
was detrimental to the progress of Hilo.
He did not believe the matter would
be cured by the leasing of these lands
by the government, but the government
should either convert the property, con-
sisting of about three acres, into a
public park, or else divide the lands up
into lots suitable for mercantile pur-
poses-for warehouses, etc. Being OPP
posite Mooheau park they could well
be used for park purposes, as the Moo
heau park has developed into a great
success from the Hilo standpoint, and
is well patronized Mr.. Wise was con
vinced that a park at the place named
would be of general benefit to Hilo.
Mr.. Wise also stated that there were
certain lands on Pittman street which
should be dedicated to the public for a
park .,r for building lots. This area is
located, he said, in a thickly populated
part of Hilo, with residences all around
it. They were not in a class of areas
outside of the boundaries, but it was a
case of the government holding lands in |
a thickly populated district. He con-
tended this area should be sold to any |
body who wanted to buy, and no re
striction placed as to the number of lots |
which any one could buy.
Another subject was suggested by |
others TO the effect that the land situa- |
ted beyond the breakwater would |
be presently utilized for residential pur- |
poses. People there, it was stated by /
this party, would like to buy the land. |
1t was admitted that the land, being |
rough and of lava formation, was not |
available for agricultural use. 1t was |
also so far remote from the hreakwater |
that it could not be utilized for specu- |
lative purposes. There was other land |
near the breakwater site which might !
be retained by the government as 1t |
would be useful in connection with the |
breakwater scheme.
Another subject brought up was the |
question of lands with reference to
The principal item Of |
discussion was about the residential
clause, by those who had had actual |
experience in taking up public lands, |
who had gone upon the lands and ac-
uuired patents thereto, or were endeav- |
oring to prove up on their papers.
The principal objection to the right
of purchase lease was that of the resi-
Dental clause Under the right-of-pur-
chase lease residents must begin to de- |
velop their lands after the first year
and it should be continuous after that.
They thought this should be amended
Dv compelling the person to go upon
the land and commence his improve
nents at the end of one year, but he
should not be compelled to take up his
residence continually, until, preferably,
the third year. This, they contended,
would give him an opportunity of earn
ng an income to live upon the lands,
md not live directly on the lands, but
Continued on Page FOur.)