The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1859-05-26


tional, and l know that neither I nor the Queen can
ever cease to cherish the remembrance of the many
tokens Of good will and sympathy this day manifest
ed, or fail to tell our Son in time to come how the
anniversary of his FIRST birthday Was welcomed BY
the g Honolulu Ri6es."
THR REGATTA.
1t was not till about noon, however, that the
people became fairly alive TO the holiday. Alta
O'Clock, stores generally were close, a royal salute
brought into service.
About 8 p. NJ, crowds of spectators began to
assemble on the Esplanade, wharves and shipping,
and every eligible spot for witnessing the regatta
in the harbor was taken up. Eleven boats, all
gaily decked, and their oarsmen dressed in regat-
Ia shirts, had entered the list for competition
the first prize bring a silver cup by the Prince
Royal, and the second, a silver cup by Capt.
Thomas Spencer. The starting point was the
spar buoy, a line from which had been stretched
across the channel, with lead weights attached.
When all the boats were ranged in line, the flag
in charge of Capt. James, was waved, the rope
sunk, and the boats started. The course was up
the channel, against Il light breeze, then turning
the buoy, along the Esplanade, and thence into
the inner harbor, the goal having been marked
by a hawser stretched from the yard arm of the
ship Chaplin to the pier below Robinson's ship
yard, where the judgesnwere stationed. The
distance was about three-fourths of a mile, and
the harbor being nearly bare of shipping, afforded
O fine race course.
The boats all started in good order, soon after
four o'clock, but as they approached the first
bend at the anchor buoy, they appeared to crowd
each other in rounding the buoy, and here some
of them gained much on their competitors. The
enthusiasm of the spectators, as the boats passed
the Esplanade, manifested itself in loud and pro-
longed cheers, which only spurred the boatmen
to renewed efforts. Two whale-boats entered by
j. S. Walker and c. n. Spencer, passed the goal
ahead, but nearly even with each other. These
were followed at a distance of about twenty yards
by Mr.. Macfarlane's gig, "Thistle," and MIR.
Phuger's gig, Prince of Hawaii the former
coming out a few yards ahead.
Notwithstanding that the two whale-boats had
come in ahead, the judges found much difficulty
in making their award, it having been alleged
that the steersmen of the whale-boats had violated
the rules in pushing the oars. Owing to this,
all the whale-beats were thrown out, and the first
prize awarded to Mr.. Macfarlane's gig, and the
second to Mr.. Phuger's.
We have never seen more enthusiasm and excite
ment manifested by both foreigners and natives,
in any event that has ever occurred here in Homo
lulu, than in this regatta. The sport is one
for which our Hawaiian boat boys are admirably
and in which they show great ambition
and skill. There never was a better place for re-
gattas than our harbor. 1t is many years since
one has taken place here. In 1896 if we
are rightly informed, during the stay here
of the Us. ship Peacock, one occurred, in
four boats took part, Capt. -- of
the Pc cock, and our townsmen Capts. j. Meek
and James Smith each steered their own gigs.
The crowd on the Esplanade on Friday, was a
one than we have witnessed in Honolulu
for years. There could not have been less than
thousand persons there, besides the numbers
on the shipping and lookouts around.
Il EVENING.
Cards had been issued for a reception at the
Palace in the evening. About half past 8 o'clock,
Their Majesties the King and Queen appeared in
the reception room, accompanied by 1.-THE Ministers
and nearly all the Chiefs. After the formal pre-
sentation of the numerous guests, the Rifles APP
peared in uniform and paid their respects. A
had been erected near the Palace, where
soon after 9 o'clock, dancing was opened by His
The Queen, We believe did not appear
on the floor during the evening.
Notwithstanding the large assemblage of four
or five hundred persons, the ample space afforded
by the large rooms and verandahs of the Palace,
md the spacious tent, left room for all, without
'he least appearance of a crowd. In fact. the
Palace is the only place when evening parties or
balls are held in Honolulu with any degree of
or satisfaction to visitors.
Adjoining the tent, into which it opened, was
he supper room. We have never seen a refresh
nent saloon got up in more elegant style or on a
more liberal scale. The decorations were fault
ess. The sides were hung with the flags of all
while overhead was placed the beautiful
'oyal ensign Of Hawaii. In the center of the
oom,a a fountain played among boquets of beau
iful flowers. Seven large mirrors placed around
he sides of the saloon added much to the effect.
The tables were loaded with a profusion of the
'hoice dishes and fruits of the season. The whole
arrangements of the day and evening appeared to
e perfect, and we are not aware that anything
happened to mar the festivities.
To those of our readers who live abroad and
re not able to witness the advances of society
made here in Honolulu, we may add, that in
very respect, the order, decorum, and etiquette
deserved at the Palace, during the day and even
ng were not inferior to what would be met ON
similar occasions in'older countries. Not a
estige of the ancient habits and customs appears
o have remained-all have given way to the re-
orming progress of christianity and civilization.
With a King and Queen, well educated, refined,
nd perfectly conyersant with the English Ian
the link that binds the Hawaiian Sove-
eighty to the past seems severed, and to all APP
it is just what the present progressive
tate of society calls for. There has been, until
Iuite recently, if we may be allowed the remark,
90 much reserve and seclusion on the part of the
oval family, but we notice a change of late in
his respect. Their Majesties and the chiefs
ave nothing to lose by frequent intercourse with
eined and intelligent foreigners. Intercourse