The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1911-02-06
PLANS
FOR DRAINING
MARSH LANDS

Doctor Pratt, acting president of the
Board of Health, had some interesting
remarks to make this morning con-
corning the work of draining marshy
lands, and thus reducing considerably
the mosquito pest.
All this work, he said, could be &C.
'complished at a comparatively small
figure. In support of this he quoted
the case of New Jersey. There a law
had been passed, which allowed for
the expenditure of $350,000 for the i'm
provement of lands on which mos
quitoes would find breeding places.
This money had not been nearly ex-
pended yet, but a vast amount of good
had been accomplished.
There was a company that would
undertake to cut bitches by machinery
that would drain all marshes and
swamps, and transform them into good
and valuable lands. This was no eX-
pertinent, for the work had been done,
and today it stood as monument of
what could be done by cooperation.
The government save the sum Of
$350,00O, and this had been supple
mented by contributions from other
sources, such as corporations, and
those directly benefited. There would
be increased revenue from taxes, and
altogether the money could be so dis
tributed that it would not act as a
hardship on anyone. In addition TO
this there would be increased values
in the lands treated. These lands could
be used either for building purposes,
or as farms. There were plenty of il
Illustrations of the advantages that had
followed the Introduction of this work.
Land that had previously lain idle, and
had been an excellent breeding ground
for mosquitoes in addition to being an
eyesore because it was just a quag-
mire, had been drained, and now good
crops were being garnered, and i'm
provements were being shown in the
value of the hay, or whatever it was,
each season. The old fashioned and
costly system of cutting these bitches
by hand had given place to an up-to-
date and expeditions method by ma
chinery. This machine cut bitches
quickly and accurately.
Doctor Pratt has made INQUIRIES into
this matter, and thinks that it would
be eminently suited to Honolulu. He
would take the Kewalo and the Ka-
kaako districts. The machines referred
to by Doctor Pratt are not sold, but
contracts are taken by the owners. In
the winter months the machines can
not be operated in the States owing to
the frost, so he thinks that it would
be an admirable idea for Honolulu to
see about accepting the offer of the
company to send it's staff and ma
chimes down here in the winter to
drain off some of the affected spots
The cost he does not think would be
prohibitive. This matter he did not go
into when he saw the machine in oper-
alton, because at that time he was not
in a position to talk terms. He has,
however, placed his views on the sub
1ect before the mosquito committee,
but so far nothing definite has been
done. Doctor Pratt thinks that the in &.
stallation of this method of draining
the affected lands would be a solution
of the mosquito pest as we'll as i'm
proving materially the value of the
land treated. He has some excellent
evidence to show that great and last
ing benefits have followed this method
in other parts of the United States.
The matter of framing law to pro-
vide for the expenditure of certain
amount of money to carry on the ex-
termination of the mosquitoes is now
engaging the attention of Doctor
Pratt and Attorney General Lindsay.
Doctor Pratt says that a mosquito law
must come, but so far nothing definite
can be said regarding the bill that is
now being framed.
eSSOSO'SS'So'S0SSEsS9'A0SG0'EORet'90I
gust %, until she passed through the
Narrows on Saturday afternoon
Big sailing ships are rare arrivals
in New York Harbor, and when the
Dirigo, which is the first craft of its
ind constructed from steel in Ameri-
ca, showed her graceful spars and
white hull in the upper bay she at
tracted considerable attention.
MApK TNATAIN shHBAeeAnon