Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1912-10-25
Lowering Of WATER RAIESIS
VICTORY AFTER LONG CAMPAIGN

Sir: beg leave to submit for the
consideration of your Board the high
charge for water which the steamers
visiting this port are obliged to pay.
For such water as the Government
can supply through it's water system
charge is made to the Canadian,
Australian Royal Mail Line of NC per
gallon-$250 per thousand gallons.
When the Government system is un-
equal to the demand on it, recourse
has to be taken to the Water Boats
Of private concerns, who charge &c,
or $3.50 per 1000 gallons.
When the "Zealandia' was last in
port the Government was unable to de-
liver more than 43,309 gallons in the
time the vessel was in port, say 6h
hours or at the rate OF $3.50 gallons per
hour, Consequently it was necessary
TO take water from a Barge and 1860
gallons were so taken. The total water
taken by the "Zealandia" on that oc.
casion was therefore 101 1863 gallons.
which cost $542.97 of $3.50 per gallon
or 1886 per 100 gallons.
1t would seem superfiuous to make
any comment on such charge; 1t is
So obviously out of all reason. In eX-
PLANTATION of this charge we can only
state to the Steamship Company the
simple facts, which are that even at
s.. so per 1000 gallons the Government
cannot supply steamers visiting this
port with water unless they can stay
long enough to take it at the rate at
which the Government can furnish it.
which in the case of the "Zealandia'
above quoted would be approximately
il hours. ~ =. ~ -
We strongly represent first that the
Government should without delay get
its water system so arranged that 1t
can deliyed to visiting vessels such
water as they require within reason,
able time, and secondly, that the
charge for such water be reduced to
say one-tenth of the present rate.
We are, Sir.
Your obedient servants,
Thee. H. Davies & Co. Ltd.
49,, 2. -, ), & r March IL, 1912.
To the President and Trustees of the
Honolulu Chamber of Commerce
Gentlemen: Complying with your
request, your Committee on Harbors
Shipping and Transportation has had
a conference with the Board Of Har
Dor Commissioners on the subject OF
rate on water furnished to vessels al
this port. = -.
The present rate to vessels is $3.50
per NJ. gallons, which is certainly ex.
orbitant, especially when compared
with the rate of 71kc to CITY consum
ers. This rate has been in force ever
since the Honolulu Water Works sys.
tenn was constructed and of course
was originally imposed under condi
tons very different from those exist.
ing at the present time. 1t has, how.
ever, been the subject of continual
complaint and dissatisfaction on the
part of ship owners and masters who
make Honolulu a. port of call.
The San Francisco rate is on slid
ing scale basis, varying from about
SIC per M. gallons for the first 1000
cubic feet down to &c. Tor any
amount in excess of 10000 cubic feet,
or 523, 1886 U. s. gallons. This makes
the rate for vessel taking, say $685.,
900 gallons, about s43c per M. gallons
as compared with our rate of $3.50
The rate at Sydney is Csc flat per NJ
gallons and the same at Suva. AT
Tacoma, Washington, we are told
that the rate IL only $40 for each yes.
sci, regardless of the amount sup
piled.
1t is therefore evident that our rate
is exceedingly unjust, so much so that
one of the large transportation COM
panies has under serious considera,
ton making other arrangements here
for it's water supply. Unless a very
material reduction is made. Inc ex'
cessive charge for water was given
for one of the reasons why the cable
ship "Restorer" ceased to make her
headquarters at Honolulu.
In view of the important part which
it is hoped that this port may play in
the future development OF Pacific
Ocean commerce, the harbor condi,
tons and port charges in general
should be such as will tend to attract
shipping rather than to drive 1t away.
We can see no valid reason why water
should not he SIlnnlied to vessels at