FIFTEENTH LEGISLATURE Among the more important measures passed by the fifteenth legislature held from February to May, 1929, were the following: Act 20. Relating to jurisdiction in divorce cases. Act 22. Relating to agricultural extension work. Act 53. Creating the Territorial highway department, and making cther provisions for the purpose of complying with the Federal highway act, and ratifying all contracts and acts previously executed or performed in connection with Federal-aid projects. Act 57. Providing for an appraisal of all the taxable property in the Territory of Hawaii and an economic study of the tax laws, creating a tax board, providing for experts, assistants, and clerks for such board, and making an appropriation therefor, and creating advisory tax-appraisal boards. Act 71. Providing for the rehabilitation of the capitol building, and providing available funds therefor by transferring $150,000 from the farm-loan reserve fund and the farm-loan revolving fund. Act 78. Exempting from taxation all property actually and solely used in the manufacture of bagasse products. Act 84. Relating to a commission to make recommendations as to the celebration of the two hundredth anniversary of the birth of George Washington. Act 96. Creating and defining the powers and duties of a board of water supply of the city and county of Honolulu. Act 104. Relating to marriage. Act 130. Exempting from taxation certain lands used in the planting of coffee. Act 134. Providing for the release of pupils from the public schools of this Territory to attend classes in religious education. Act 155. Appropriating $5,000 for the establishment of an agricultural experiment station in the Kona district, county of Hawaii. Act 161. Creating a commission to investigate and report upon the necessity and feasibility of providing more comprehensive and modern banking laws for the Territory of Hawaii. Act 189. Making uniform the law of sales. Act 191. Relating to the fair commission of Hawaii, by enlarging the membership and changing certain powers and duties thereof. Act 203. Relating to the amount of liabilities banking corporations may assume in accepting drafts or bills of exchange. Act 216. Authorizing and regulating boxing contests. Act 231. Appropriating $10,000 for an addition to the revolving fund for Kalaupapa Store, Kalawao County, Molokai. Act 237. Making more uniform taxes and simplifying tax procedure and appeals, relating to personal and property taxes. Joint Resolution No. 1. Directing the attorney general of the Territory of Hawaii to investigate and report upon the rights and claims of the Territory of Hawaii and the county of Maui in and to the waters of Iao Stream, Iao Valley, county of Maui. Joint Resolution No. 4. Authorizing the appointment of a joint committee of the legislature, which committee is empowered to destroy all paid-up warrants of the government of the Territory of Hawaii and all bonds and interest coupons redeemed and paid of date prior to July 1, 1923. Joint Resolution No. 6. Authorizing and directing the board of supervisors of the city and county of Honolulu to erect a bandstand and dressing pavilion at Kaiulani Park, Kalihi-uka, city and county of Honolulu. COUNTY AND CITY AND COUNTY GOVERNMENTS Local governments in Hawaii were first established on July 1, 1905, the Territory being divided into four counties. On July 1, 1909, the county comprising the island of Oahu was converted into a city and county, known as the city and county of Honolulu, with a mayor. The other counties are Hawaii, including the island of that name; Maui, including the islands of Maui, Kahoolawe, Lanai, and all of Molokai, except the leper settlement; and Kauai, including the islands of Kauai and Niihau. The leper settlement on Molokai constitutes a fifth county, Kalawao, but is under the control of the Territorial board of health. Following is a table showing the income of the various counties for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1929: Income of counties, fiscal year ended June 30, 1929 The total bonded debt on June 30, 1928, was $28,585,000, which was increased by $1,175,000, on February 1, 1929, issue of 44 per cent, public improvement bonds] Cash on hand and floating indebtedness, general account, at end of each fiscal year since organization of Territorial Government Treasury cash balances, all accounts, at end of fiscal years ending June 30, 1927, 1928, and 1929 100, 296. 26 342, 313. 69 418, 119. 54 140, 383. 56 |