Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1913-01-11

1'OA4N- AAAAAAEa hSAO EhSA0A SNAA SAASl
board Of supervisors has improved the
equipment considerably by purchasing
Tree combinations chemical and hose
motor-wagous, one engine motor
tractor and 5000 feet OF new hose
"An the buildings and equipment
were. found in good condition. clean
and well taken care of. The hook
and ladder truck was purchased about
ten years ago but has never been used
owing to lack of crew ana horses.
In our opinion, said truck Is now an
tiquated and should be disposed OF as
soon as possible. We believe that on
account Of the many high buildings q
hook and ladder truck is necessary,
and recommend that the board Of su-
pervisors purchase an up-to-date
motor truck. -
We understand that the officers
and men of the department are
drilled regularly and they seem to be
efficient. In order to get the best ser.
vice possible from the men we recon.
mend that the force be increased by
three men. .- II. .-
During the past few years the resi-.
dent sections of the city have been
so extended that it seems imperative
to establish fire stations in these sec.
tons, viz. Waikiki, Manoa, Nuuanu
and Kalihi. The first step in this di
rection has already been taken by the
board of supervisors by appropriating
a sufficient fund to build station al
Kaimuki "%1|1 rs
Water Problem. '... s.,..s..- t-..ss@..=
'One of the most serious conditions
to be considered is that Of the water
supply. Notwithstanding the fact that
a large sum of money has been spent
in constructing a large reservoir in
upper Nuuanu valley and In laying
new mains in the downtown section
of the city, results show that little i'm
provement has been effected in the
way of increasing the nressure for fire
fighting purposes. e... :.>...=. ~ !. z5
Charter Changes.
we wish to point out few recon,
mehdations, which, IL carried out may
save the County some money and in
other instances do away with q good
deal of red tape. III - Ills S..
I'VE suggest: I'd. IF
"That the publication OF resolutions
calling for appropriations Of money
as well as ordinances, as noted In
Section IL and 10 of the municipal
charter and as amended, be limited
to one issue each. This course would
save not only valuable time, but would
materially reduce expense Of publica.
ton. t
I'VE would suggest that the time oil
service should be made to correspond
with that Of the Territory, viz. from
$3.50 a. m. until 4:30 p. m.
Mayors Proclamation.
1--WE would suggest that section 81
be so amended that publication of the
Mayors proclamation shall be made
in newspaper for one issue only
This would correspond with that Of
the Territory, and would cnrtail 9
great deal of expense in the matter
OF publication which the City and
County is obliged to pay by operation
of law
I'VE recommend In so far as the
department of the municipal govern
ment is concerned. that the next leg
islature be requested to enact such
legislation as will permit of the Ter
ritoriaI treasurer advancing to the
Counties sufficient funds to enable
them, In the event of a deficit, tC
redeem all warrants when presented
Under the present system. the Coun
ties receive their share Of the taxes
seni-annua1ly. namely: in June and
December; and as the law does moi
allow of advances to be made, 81
times it necessitates the registering
Of warrants by the Counties at pei
cent interest. 1t appears to us thai
it is poor business policy for thf
Counties to be required to pay 5 pei
cent interest on registered warrants
when the Territory has at all times
money lying idle In its vaults.
Reduce Bookkeeping.
I'VE would further recommend
that the law requiring the treasur
,ers of the counties to keep a set OF
books which is practically dupH
cation of those kept by the auditor
be- amended. It appears to us thai
this is entirely unnecessary and
great amount Of work might be elimi
mated by carrying out the system EN-
ployed by the territorial treasurer, In
that he is required to enter only the
receipts and disbursements. II this
is done the labor saved would pos
sibly eliminate one clerk in the treas
urer's department. III -
I'VE find that Act 80 of the
Session Laws of 1907 providing fol-
witness fees in criminal cases has toe
much red tape connected with 1t.
I'VE have tried to communicate
with E. B. Blanchard, food inspector
in regard to the delay in having his
reports about samples of wine, ! SO
called ..dago red" obtained from the
offices of Honolulu liquor firms and
although we left telephone messages
repeatedly at his office to meet this
committee. we have not been able to
get into communication with him.
Respectfully submitted,
7"I0HN WATERHOUSE