88 
large one, in order that more persons should have an opportunity 
to acquire land. This question I do not consider as coming 
within my province so I shall not discuss it, beyond saying that 
from a forest standpoint it obviously would be simplier to control 
the tree planting work if it were done by one responsible com- 
pany rather than by a number of individuals. Another sugges- 
tion, that the successful bidder be bonded to carry out the terms 
of the lease is one that does not concern this Department. 
In connection with certain lots in the upper tier of the Ahualoa 
Homesteads, above Honokaa, on which there is some available 
water, the suggestion was made that these areas (Lots 9 and 10 
and 5, mauka) be reserved and that the water on them be dev- 
eloped and piped down to Honokaa to furnish a domestic supply 
for that village. These lots are still in the control of the Terri- 
tory, though just now they are being used by the Parker Ranch. 
Whether sufficient water could be developed to make the plan 
practicable is a question that requires an investigation by a water 
expert. There is also to be considered whether it would not be 
possible and better to make an arrangement with the Hamakua 
Ditch Company, whereby water from the ditch could be delivered 
to the people at Honokaa. Before title to these lots passes from 
the Government I believe this matter should be carefully looked 
into. 
There is one more point that should be considered, the insertion 
in the lease of a clause permitting the withdrawal of portions of 
the land for forest purposes. The Kukaiau Plantation Company 
argues that unless the lessee is sure of holding the land for 
twenty-one years he cannot afford to pay the stipulated rental 
and also to do the tree planting required. In view of the bene- 
fits to be derived' by the Government from the improvement of 
the land through tree planting, plus the annual cash rental to be 
paid in, the Commissioner of Public Lands agreed in this case 
to waive the usual homestead withdrawal clause. The same 
reasoning applies to the forest withdrawal clause as well and is, I 
believe, sufficiently well founded to justify the Board in signify- 
ing to the Commissioner of Public Lands its willingness that in 
this particular case that clause also be waived. Under the ex- 
isting conditions in Hamakua I believe that more real benefit will 
be secured in this way than by a rigid adherence to the adopted 
rule. Indeed, even if it were desired ultimately to reforest the 
upper levels in Hamakua the plan proposed, resulting as it does 
in seed spots, would not be a bad way to go about it. The Gov- 
ernment can afford better than the individual to wait a consider- 
able time for results. 
RECOM M ENDATIONS. 
Based on the foregoing statement of reasons I therefore recom- 
mend that the Board of Agriculture and* Forestry reaffirm its 
