The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1912-10-18
Those Fifty-eight Homesteads.

erhhehV LOT purely homesteading pur.
poses.
Those Fifty-eight Homesteads.
We had n conference in regard to
the fifty eight homesteading cases
which are involved in the decision of
the supreme court said Governor
Frear yesterday. "The court held
that in the test cases the homesteaders
were not entitled to their patents
These are the Waiohinu and Hakalau
eases.
"Under the statute further time NAV
be given for complying with the home
stead conditions, in certain cases. AL.
though we have to stretch the law some.
what in these cases, or at least give il
a more liberal construction, we are dis
posed to do so because of the widely
prevailing erroneous impressions that
have long been held as to what amount.
ed to a compliance with the conditions
" Hithertoo, great many have sup.
posed that the homestead laws were
simply means of acquiring title nv
performing technical conditions with.
out any reference as to whether a home
steader really meant TO make his per.
manent home on the lot and be a real
farmer.
"The supreme court has held other.
wise. In other words, that the laws
on this subject are really homestead
laws and not merely devices for en-.
abling people to get land for less than
its real value for the purpose of en-.
abling them to lease it or sell it to
others and SO get an income or pension
for the rest of their lives for nothing.
Was Great Temptation.
"The inducements for acting on the
old theory were very great, both to the
hOmesteader and to the plantation, in
the case of cane lands. The amend.
ments to the land laws two wears AGO
by congress, however, were intended to
put an end to the old practises and in.
troduce a new era of genuine home.
steadlng. These amendments left to
themselves. however, resulted in trouble
in future because the old ideas would
still persist. Accordingly, the test
cases were brought in the supreme
court so as to remove all doubts upon
this question and advertise the fact
thoroughly to all persons who might
consider taking up homesteads so that
there might be no Misunderstanding
and consequent grief, sooner or later.
In view, however, of the long con.
tinued understanding under the old
laws 1t has been thought best not TO
be too hard on those who have been
ieting in accordance with that, and so
he administration plans in each case
% give the homesteader who has failed
% comply with the homestead condi.
ions, the option either Of having an.
'ther chance to make good or else to
ell out to some other person who will
make good and so get his money back.
The idea is to turn over new leaf,
md without working too great hard,
hips, ON those who thought they were
within the law as previously under.
TODD by many people.
at IL probable, however that those
Who have taken, or may take. home.
leads under the new laws, will require
considerable more in the way of odu.
htlon To convince them OF what home.
teading really Is.
Reports 10 Commissioners.
80 ~ one method Of nccOmplisbjng
his policy there was adopted some
inc ago system Of reports made
o me land commission by the different
md agents from time 10 time upon
be condition Of the different home.
teads taken mp under the new laws
hd me way In which the homestoadors