Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1914-03-14
ASSESSMENTS To
FALL OFF BY MANY
millions in 1914


CONTINUED RON page one1
erty, which they are dependent upon
for permanent improvements and cur
rent expenses. The city and county
of Honolulu suffers in the smaller de-
gree, owing TO the fact that of the
$50, 000. 900 assessed for taxation, only
about $17,000,000 is represented by
sugar estates. And 1t is the sugar
business which has experienced the
great shrinkage in values. The other
islands have large part of their val
uation represented oy sugar, and
hence the greater effect which they
suffer.
Last year the assessed valuation OF
property in the territory was $175, 000,-
600. This year it is $3.50, 161 900. The
returns as submitted by the taxpay-
ers totalled about S137 100000 1t Is
quite possible that some of the as
sessments will be appealed from, and
the result of these appeals will de
termine finally the amount that will
be available to draw revenue from.
The revenues which the counties re-
ceived last year, from real and per-
sonal property tax, and what they will
receive this year, according to the
present figures, is shown as follows:
1913. 1914
Oahu $780, 600 $4S1 900
Maui $4,000 100000
Hawaii .......... 250,000 $4,000
Kauai ............ 115,G00 82,V00
When the tax rates were fixed, ac-
eording to law last January, they were.
based on the 1913 assessments. and
consequently were far from reliable,
as shown by the present valuations.
Based on last years figures, the coun-
ties would have received from real and
personal property tax this year: Oahu,
SSH, 094.5S; Maui, 100000; Hawaii,
$240, 600; Kauai, $11S,000.
The total real and personal property
taxes which are anticipated compared
with what had been estimated from
last years returns. are:
.r.." First estimate. Now likely
Oahu -. S1,00O,000 100000
Maui $50. 395,000 5000
Hawaii 1876, 900 sol 900
Kauai -. $4,000 $4,000
Sugar Men Would Cut Schools.
The plantation interests which have
been represented during the past day
OF two at. the board meeting, take the
stand that the government should re-
trench, the same as the plantations
have to do. They point out that many
of the plantations are going to have
to borrow money to pay their taxes.
Richard Ivers, of C. Brewer & Com
pany, was before the board again this
morning, and voiced the opinion Of
the sugar men that besides other cur.
tailment, the schools should be re-
auired to cut down their estimates.
1t is pointed out that the school bud
get this year is bigger than it was
last year by some $4,000.
Last year from the real and person
al property taxes, the schools received
1858, 167. This year the estimates foI
school buildings. salaries, and
expenses of school department,
amounts to 1911 900. Of this amount
$79S, 900 must come out of the real
and personal property tax. the re-
naming $113,oG0 being the 81 portion
of the personal tax which the schools
receive. This personal tax for the
schools last year, was $4,000 in ad.
ditien to the S65S,167 received last
year from real and personal property.
The school department this year
asks for S1S6,702 for school buildings
as against 1900 last year; and for
salaries and expenses of the depart,
ment, $611,644 this year, against $685.
667 needed last year.
Swanzy Not Optimistic.
F. NJ. Swanzy and w. Fl. Eaird, req
resenting Theo. III. Davies & Company,
before the board yGsterda%
afternoon and maintained thai the re-
turns made of their properties were
as high as present conditions justify.
Mr.. Swanzy showed from lie reports
Of most of the plantations in which
his company is interested, thar profits
have been greatly reduced during the
past year by reason of low sugar
prices and poor crops, and a number
OF them have suffered heavy less.
Most of the time he spent with the
board was taken in going over tbs
general economic situation as relates
to the sugar industry.
According to Mr.. Swanzy sugar
prices would naturally be low at pres