The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1908-10-02

sevenths Of it which Is less than a
quorum, held forth in Hilo last week.
commented Setta, the Hilo Portu-
guese organ. There appeared before 1t
some half dozen well intentioned citi-
zens. The Commission will now an
nounce that it met everybody interest
ed and that none of then appeared to
know what they wanted,
COMMISSIONERS ON MAUI
WAILUKU, Maiu. September co.
Three of the members of the Land
Commission 81. F. Cooke, s. MAKana-
kanui and Carl Smith) appoinl,d byI
Governor Frear to investigate the land
laws and make recommendations as -
the wishes Of the public in the mattgs,
of the administration of the land ofiieA
as well as any changes in the laws thar
are generally desired, arrived in Wal
luku Saturday morning, and listened to
suggestions from many of the leading
citizens of Maui.
In the main the demand was for
more liberal land law and administra-
ton of the Office by which bona fde
homesteaders could acquire and get
patent to their homesteads while eX-
tending the time required to get a fee
simple title to their lands in order to
keep out those who wish to speculate
in the lands or TO acquire them who
are already holders of large tracts of
land.
Charles Wilcox favored doing away
with the nine hundred and ninety-nne
year lease and advocated the acquire
ment in fee of the lands now held by
the lessees. This was a good suggestion,
as it is well-known fact that tenant
never has the same interest in the land
on which he resides as the man who
holds it in fee. lie made many other
excellent suggestions, which he had
carefully prepared, and he had evil
IDENTIFY given the subject intelligent
consideration.
Judge Mckay favored giving larger
tracts of land than had been the Gus
tom in the past. He opposed land ex-
changes by the government either with
individuals or corporations.
Attorney d. II case believed in the
more general application of the Ameri-
can land laws than had so far been ad
vocated and pointed out that at the
present time there was lack of knowl-
edge of local conditions in the land Of
fee as to what the various lands were
adapted to and also that there is but
little land at present available for
homesteading purposes for the reason
that most of the lands are under lease.
Honorable II. p. Baldwin said he
favored more liberal land law than
we now have. He spoke at some length
and made many good suggestions.
II. NJ. Coke, editor of the Maui News,
favored plan by which any eligible
homesteader could deposit the cost of
survey of any tract of land he might
wish to homestead and have the same
surveyed at once. The land once sur
veyed to be appraised by commission
appointed for that purpose at low
| figure, and in case the first applicant
was the only applicant for the land
that he be given it, but in case there
were others then, that each appli-
cant be required to put up the cost of
the survey and the cost Of the expense
of the appraising board, and lots to be
drawn to determine the one to whom
the land should be awarded. All moneys
paid in by each of the applicants to
whom the land was not awarded to be
returned Immediately to those who had
failed to secure the land. This method
would mean the speedy opening of all
tracts of land that are now desired by
persons who desire to acquire home
steads, and by the drawing of lots
would make it as easy for poor man
to acquire land as it would one of in
dependent means.
1t is unquestionably true that there
is popular demand for land among
the people, and as the government is
supposed to be for the best interests of
the public change should be made in
the administration of our land depart
ment that would make it more easy
| for the public to acquire homes, and
r thus form larger population that
) would feel a deeper interest in the well
r fare of the country than they do now.
HOW KAUAIANs WANT THINGS.
LIHUE, Kauai, September 26-The
Advisory Land Law Commission was
in session at the Social Hail. Lihue
yesterday, and sought to get opinions
from the Kauai people as to changes
in or amendments to the present land
law. Comparatively few people avail
ed themselves of the opportunity of
calling attention to defects that are
generally conceded to exist.
w. II. Rice, ST., thought that the
] policy of offering homesteads of twenty