The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1915-05-04
H|LO RAILROAD IS
GIVEN EXEMPTION
# FROM TAXATION
Representative Makekau's Bin,
Granting Assistance To Big
Island Corporation, Signed
GOVERNOR PlNKHAM STANDS !
BY ACTION OF LEGISLATURE
Measure Calculated to Aid Con-
Germ In Surmounting Pres
ent Financial Crisis -

Representative Makekau's house bill
No. 345, the last to be introduced in the
recent legislature and which amended
section 1913 of the Revised Laws of
Hawaii, 1915, relating to the exemption
of railroads from taxation, was signed
by Governor Pinkham yesterday and
immediately turned over by him to the
Office Of the secretary Of the Territory
for publication. In accordance with
section 2 of the measure, the bill, TO
which was given the name and title Of
Act 226, took effect upon its approval
by the Governor. t...''.r
Act 226 of the Session Laws of Ha.
waii, 1915, exempts the Hilo Railroad
Company from the payment of all real
and personal taxes for fifteen years
from January l, 1908, OF to January j,
1923. .-' .t
Reached Governor On Last Day
The measure was introduced very late
in the session and Il went to the Gov,
ernor for his approval at three minutes
after eleven O'Clock the morning of
April ~2S, the closing day of the ses.
sion. u4&4
A committee of bankers and other
business men called on tho Governor
yesterday to urge the approval of this
bill and they made 1t plain to the chief
executive that, owing to the financial
straits of the railroad in question, II
was imperatively necessary that the
concern be assisted and aided by the
government in riding over its present
financial crisis.
Col. Charles J. Mccarthy, the terri,
torial treasurer, was of the opinion
that assistance at this time to the rail,
road company would eventually redonnd
to the benefit of the Territory in that,
following the extension Of the tax
exemption period thus granted, the com.
pany would eventually pay into the
treasury more than sufficient in taxes
to make up the amounts it would be
exempt from until January |, 1923.
Follows Wish Of Legislature
In signing the bill the Governor made
it patent that he wished to f>llow the
wishes of the legislature, constituted as
it was byarepresentatives elected direct,
~ by the people of the Territory. The
bill, now Act 226 of the Session Laws
of 1915, reads, in full, as follows:
An act to amend section l248 of the
Revised Laws of Hawaii, 1915, relating
to the exemption of railroads from taxa.
ton.
"'Be it enacted by the legislature of
the Territory of Hawaii:
'Section l. Section 1248 of the
Revised Laws of Hawaii, 1918, is here
by amended so as to read as follows:
Section l24S. Railroads. For the
term of ten years from and after the
first day of January, 1908, all of the
property, both real and personal, of any
person, company or corporation actually
and solely used in the workings and
operations of q railroad which have
been constructed within FIVE years from
January !, 1908, and which railroad,
such person, company or corporation
ness of common carrier shall be
exempt from all property taxes, both
territorial and county. Provided, such
railroad shall be not less than five con
tmuOus miles in length and shall be in
good running ordeT and condition and
approved by the superintendent of
public words; and provided, further,
that if such railroad so construc ted
within said five years from January l,
1908, shall be not less than twenty five
continuous miles in length and shall be
in good running order and condition
and approved by said superintendent as
aforesaid, such exemption thereof from
property taxes shall continue for the
term of fifteen years from said first day
of January, 1909
Section 2. This act shall take of
feet upon its approval.
Approved this Both day of April, A..
d. 1918.
(Signed) .... $685..
"LUCIUS +. PINKHAM, -.
Governor of the Territory Of Ha.
waii. ...", o.. =