APPENDIX. HONOLULU, October 18, 1900. SIR: I submit herewith brief statement of the transactions of this office since June Referring to above, I would state that the sales in Olaa, Puna, Hawaii, were at auction, under conditions providing for payment of purchase price any time within ten years by installments or otherwise, at option of purchaser. Maintenance of home for six years and cultivation of 25 per cent, or maintenance of home for four years and cultivation of 50 per cent, required as further condition for land patent. These lots, which adjoined new roads recently constructed at large expense, were in active demand, and purchasers were limited to one lot of 50 acres each. Lot sold at Wahiawa, Waialua, was at auction under condition of four years' residence and cultivation of 25 per cent, and sold for an unusual price, owing to special location on this island. KAHIKINUI LEASE. This lease, sold at auction for term of five years, covered the arid, waterless lands of the Kahikinui district, of which a large amount is represented by barren lava flows. Although such reservation seemed superfluous, a condition of the lease reserves the right of the public lands office to take over any portion if the same should be found suitable for settlement. The rental obtained, $3,010 yearly, is a good one. LANDS TO BE OPENED. There remains in the Olaa section, Puna, Hawaii, about 15,000 acres of surveyed lots which will be disposed of as applications are received. In connection with these lots, additional roads should be constructed, as good roads are imperatively needed in wet forest country. KAMAKUA, HAWAII, About 2,000 acres in this district, recently subdivided, will be opened at an early date. N. KONA, HAWAII. A tract of about 2,000 acres in this district is awaiting decision as to road location, and will as soon as possible thereafter be opened up. The lower portion of the land of Hauula, on this island, has been recently surveyed for the purpose of homestead leases to natives who have long been resident on the land. Numerous petitions have been received from applicants for lands in different localities, many of these petitions being from natives, and these will be dealt with as rapidly as surveyors can be found for the necessary work of subdividing the lands. The lack of competent surveyors for such work is a considerable embarrassment at this time, as private work, which is plentiful, absorbs most of the surveyors. It is expected, however, that progress will shortly be made in the survey of lands in Wailua, Maui, in Kaauhuhu, Kohala, and in North Hilo, Hawaii, desired by numerous applicants. ISLAND OF KAUAI. Owing to the manner in which the lands on Kauai were tied up under old Crown leases, no settlement lands have been offered on that island. I expect to present to you, shortly, a proposition for exchange by which a tract of about 2,000 acres, especially suited for small holdings, may be acquired by this office for that purpose. I would call attention to the fact that nearly all of the public lands available and having sufficient moisture to make any agricultural enterprise a success, are forest lands at considerable elevation. In view of the present interest in the preservation of the forest and the importance of that question, I hope we may obtain the services of some expert forester who can assist in establishing the limits beyond which the clearing of lands should not go. Yours, respectfully, J. F. BROWN, Commissioner of Public Lands. SANFORD B. DOLE, Esq., Governor Territory of Hawaii. No. of patent. Land patents issued since June 14, 1900, in completion of previous agreements. REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF THE INTERIOR FOR PORTO RICO. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. Washington, July 7, 1900. SIR: I have the honor to invite your attention to section 24 of the act of Congress approved April 12, 1900, entitled "An act temporarily to provide revenues and a civil government for Porto Rico, and other purposes," which provides as follows: That the commissioner of the interior shall superintend all works of a public nature, and shall have charge of all public buildings, grounds, and lands, except those belonging to the United States, and shall execute such requirements as may be imposed by law with respect thereto, and shall perform such other duties as may be prescribed by law, and make such reports through the governor to the Secretary of the Interior of the United States as he may require, which shall annually be transmitted to Congress. I have to request that you will cause this matter to be brought to the attention of the commissioner of the interior with request that he will prepare and forward through you for my consideration, at a date not later than October 1, 1900, a report of the matters pertaining to Porto Rico, with which he is charged under existing laws. It is also desirable that he embody in his report a statement of the character, quantity, and location of Crown lands, the ownership to which the United States succeeded by virtue of the treaty of Paris, together with a statement of the quantity and location of all unreclaimed or swamp lands in Porto Rico. This report should cover the period from April 12, 1900, to date of its rendition. In this connection it is suggested that statistical statements embodied in the report should not be given from estimates where it is possible to obtain the same from original sources. It is desirable that a report of the commissioner of the interior of Porto Rico be submitted to the Department within the time above specified in order that proper consideration may be given to the important subjects therein requiring attention in the annual report of the Secretary of the Interior to the President. Very respectfully, E. A. HITCHCOCK, Secretary. The GOVERNOR OF PORTO RICO, |