Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1912-09-19
FISHER HEARING
Continued from Page n

had been used and about 100 acres
so withdrawn.
kihei and Hama lands were discuss
ed, referring especially TO the opening
Of tracts for demonstrating purposes
! Wanted Small Homesteads.
On the latter lands Tucker said
the applicants first wanted large
homesteads, but later decided they
! wanted only small ones, of ten tc
twelve acres each. There was no dis
sent to this suggestion.
Applications for homesteads are
now awaiting the completion Of the
surveys of the tracts.
Discussing the Kanumanu rem
nants, the leases of which expired
in 1906, he stated that some of these
have been taken already and the
others are open, to be taken at any
time. Nine remain, three having been
| taken.
The Kikipoolau Settlement Associ.
alton was discussed. The lands they
desired were taken up by homestead.
ers in August, 1910, the, day they
were opened for that purpose.
! Referring to his records, the land
! commissioner told of several tracts
! that have been taken from the plan
tations and opened when requests for
such procedure came from home-seek-
ers who wanted the land Discussing
the opening of strips along public
highways, he stated that the policy
OF the administration has been to re-
serve a strip fronting the thorough
fare for residence sites.
As to Patent Complaints.
Asked concerning complaints from
persons taking land at Kauulu, ON
the other side of Oahu, to the effect
that they can not get their patents,
Tucker said the patents are ready to
issue and have been for some time,
but are held up until he can get over
there Ito examine the holdings and
ascertain personally If they have liy-
ed up to the law, complying with the
homesteading requirements. He said
they will not be dispossessed, how
ever, until he can examine their hold
ings.
The Kohala, Hawaii, tracts, which
are to be opened for demonstrating,
have not been opened this year be-
cause the cane crops are not yet
ready for harvesting and will not be
ready until next year. On cross-ex!
animation by Attorney Ashford, he
said the crop was planted in Fehru-
airy, 1911, and requires about twenty
months, to mature. Tucker took Of
flee in March, 1911. He had not paid
any attention to the tract until May
or June of this year, though applica-
ton for its opening for demonstrating
was made before he took office.
He explained that Governor Frear
had established q rule that cane lands
should not be opened except by the
special homestead agreement plan,
and that was the reason the applica-
ton of the Aloha Alma Settlement
Association had been rejected had
wanted the :. right-Of- purchase lease
plan used. That, he asserted, ex-
planned why some other settlement
associations applications were accept
ed, and that was why the apparent
Partially had been shown.
Wants Bona Eide Settlers.
He said If he had his way he would
grant homesteads only to those whom
he was convinced would make bona
.fide, successful farmers. Clerks, me-
chanics, and other classes he men.
toned as some who would be denied
because they would not make q sue.
cess as homesteaders.
In reply to Ashford's query, he adj
mitted the land department has rang
ers, who ride over the country, WIS.,
iting homesteads frequently to find
how the settlers are living up to their
agreement.
Ashford asked If these rangers ever
notified the homesteaders themselves
Of their laxity and gave, them warn
ing. Tucker said he did not think
they did, prior to his administration,
but had been doing that recently
His reason for favoring the special
homestead agreement as against the
'right-of lease for. cane lands
was that the homesteader would not
live up to the latter, while he is more
likely to fulfill the terms Of the for
mer. He considered it good policy
for the administration to exercise this
discretion against the right-of.pur-
chase lease. -.--.
Under questioning by the Secretary
he said the special agreement is much
clearer and the duties of the home
steader better and more fully under.
stood. -..
An argument ensued between Ash
ford and the Secretary regarding the
discretion allowed the Governor in
applying the various homesteading
laws. The percentage of lands to be
cultivated, under the various forms
Of demonstrating, was brought I'D, and
Tucker was asked to explain the per
centages required by the different
forms. He read from the agreements
that are used under the special home
stead agreement plan and the right
of-purchase lease.
The Secretary said the special
agreement evidently is much the
clearer OF the two. He asked the Gov
ernor if it wouldn't be possible to