The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1909-02-05
Government TO
EXCHANGE LANDS

An exchange of lands that will mean
much for the extension of the home
stead system on the island of Kauai
has been under the consideration of
Governor rrear and Land Commissioner
Pratt. The Territorial government
would like to have about 1870 acres of
good pineapple land that is now con-
trolled by the McBryde Sugar Planta.
tion while that corporation is equally
desirious of exchanging its holdings for
1897 acres of government land, excel
lent for the growing of sugar cane.
The plantation controls the water rights
on both divisions and to make the 1880
acre section desirable for homestead
purposes Commissioner Pratt says 1t
will be necessary for the corporation to
agree TO the delivery of certain
amount of water for household uses
after the consummation of the ex'
change.
Appraisers Appointed.
With the object of ascertaining the
exact value of the lands involved three
appraisers will leave for Kauai Thurs
day George Ewart, W. l.. Hopper and
w. II. Thomas are the men who have
been named to judge the value of the
lands for the government and much will
depend upon their findings.
The land is desired by the govern.
ment to extend and enlarge what is
known rs the Kalaheo Settlement, about
nine miles from Lihue, the county seat
of Kauai. The acreage controlled by
the McBryde Sugar Plantation Com
pany is of the best quality for pine
apple raising and general agricultural
purposes Some of the land is now in
cane that the government will secure
If the exchange is made while its value
for pineapple culture has been proven
conclusively by a few settlers who
planted small fields with the permission
of the corporation.
Settlers Contented.
s'If this matter is brought to n sue.
ressful conclusions" said Commissioner
Tratt, "some of the best homesteading
land in the Territory will be opened
for settlement. 1t is of the very best
quality for general agricultural uses
and particularly so for pineappleb
There are about three hundred people
now living contentedly in the section
known as the Kalaheo Settlement and
the opening 'of the land that we are
trying to secure would undoubtedly in
crease the general prosperity of the en-
tire region. One of the great advan'
tages so far as pineapple farming is
concerned is the proximity of a can
merry at laval of sufficient size to
handle all the pines that can be turned
over to it by the independent growers
This, of course, is n highly valuable
asset. 1t is rolling country, easy t.
cultivate and is really ideal as far al
bomesteading is concerned. We ar
naturally quite anxious to secure tn,
land and as the plantation is equal,
desirious of obtaining the 1887 acre
of government holding there is ever.
hope that matters will be brought t
successful conclusion. The questio
of water rights is hard one to al
range and as the plantation control
that part of it absolutely it will natura
" have to be taken into consideratio
in the appraisal of the respectiv
values
The plantation interests are declare
TO be desirous of seeing the distris
settled by permanent and responsible
class of citizen labor for they hav
found already that the Kalaheo Settle
ment contributes no small quota to tn
skilled labor on the plantation.