Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1914-03-20
Fort Shafter Notes

Especial star-BuIletin Correspondence
FORT SHAFTER, March 20.-The
swimming tank that is operated in
connection with the post gymnasium
is again in commission after long
period Of idleness due to damages TO
the surrounding screening by the
storm that struck the post early in
January. In addition TO the wreck
age of the lattice work the eastern
wall of the tank was badly cracked
when the supports of the surrounding
wind and no funds have until recently
been available for the necessary re-
pairs. The needed reconstruction of
the tank comes at most opportune
time as the demands on the ordinary
bathing facilities Of the post are now
heavily taxed. due to the large num-
Der OF recruits that have arrived at
the post. Yesterday was the first
day that the reconstructed tank was
available for use and all throughout
the afternoon and well into the night
the tank was crowded with swimmers.
Company A of the I'd Infantry has
undertaken the construction or COM
pany amusement room to house the
company library and pool table as
well as to afford place for general
diversion when Off duty. The build
ing is located Immediately back of
the company mess haR and is well
located and adapted to the purpose for
which constructed The building is
IS by 40 feet in dimensions and will.
in addition to accommodating the
amusement facilities OF the company,
furnish sufficient room for the barber
shop. The expense of constructing
material was borne by the company
fund-an amount that was easily
spared since the funds OF A company
are in a specially prosperous condi-
ton as regards available balance
but the work was, of course. contrib
uted by the men of the company.
working as details from day to day.
~ "
A determined effort is being made
by the auartermaster department to
conquer the flowing artesian well that
has been open and running to waste
fer long time on the reservation.
The well is located near the carline
station, lust off. the main road that
passes through the reservation and
has been omen for many months. In
deed, the 100000 gallons that it is
estimated constitute the daily flow.
have been pouring out on the sur
rounding fields ever since the expira-
- IN,
question some months ago. Not only
has this large amount Of water been
going absolutely to waste during all
the long time that the we'll has been
out Of control but the flow of water
has rendered the land in the valley
below unavailable for drill or other
military use and that is serious
matter with Fort Shafter and its 10
separate organizations requiring drill
so far has consisted in opening 1t up
and removing the broken casing. The
plan to be followed now that the we'll
is opened IN for its more than 800
feet win be to cement the opening at
a depth where the pressure of water
will permit but It is not yet certain
that the plan to be followed will be
successful Apart from the military
reasons that obtain and call for the
control of the well 1t is thought that
the territorial laws require that all
such wells be Drought under control
and nrovide heavy penalty for the
violation of the law or a failure
through neglect to properly conserve
the water