The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1859-06-16
NOTES OF THE WEEK.

tagcs for acquiring, what is to them, q most difficult
language. And so far as one could judge from an
examination Of this kind, those who have been en-
gagged for any considerable length of time in the study
of English, (and they have been from two to five
years in this and other schools) have made encour-
aging progress, and all that is wanting is perseverance,
in order to complete success. Here is the great diff
Guilty with natives, that is to induce them to perse-
we're for a sufficient length of time. The different
classes were examined in the ordinary elementary
branches, and it IVES very evident that their instruc-
ton is thorough so far as it ha- gone. At the request
OF the principal, sums in mental arithmetic of consid-
cradle difficulty were given out by a spectator, and
with one or two exceptions, solved readily in the
English language. In order to appreciate such an
achievement, let one of our youth who has been study
ing French or German a few years, undertake in
public, and ON the spur of the moment to solve, in
one of those languages, uira poce, a hard SUN in
Colburn. We speak of this school with more pride,
as ~afording indisputable evidence that native youth,
can, with perseverance, readily acquire the English
tongue. The examination of the classes taught by
Miss Rebecca Ahung in Arithmetic and Geography,
was listened to with peculiar interest.
The EXHIBITION on Tuesday evening, was nu-
merously attended, in fact, a large number could
not find seats or even admittance into the house.
Hic IL II eNluent, tnat THESE native youth nave
yet a great deal to learn, before they become masters
of the English. as some of them speak it yet so indis-
tinctly as to be scarcely understood, yet their compo-
sitions, declarations, dialogues and singing afforded
the most unmistakable evidence of industry on the
part of both teachers and scholars, and Mt the same
time. much amusement to a deeply interested audi
ence. -
VEGETABLE MARKEr.-Another attempt has been
made RI braak mn n 70 dicturh tho oofbaripr Of voroto
BILE market men on the corner of Hotel and Fort
streets. An ~oficious kanaka, who reported that he
was acting under instructions from the clerk of the
market, was on the ground yesterday morning,
taking down the names of all persons who attempted
to sell there, setting down 81 cents fine or tax oppo-
site their names. The natives were given to under
stand that they could not sell without a license.
This is only a repetition of the attempt made by the
Governor some five or six years ago, and again by the
Sheriff in 1857, to drive all the vegetable dealers
down to the market, both of which attempts failed.
We heard a few days ago that efforts would be made to
compel natives 10 take out peddling licenses for SELL
ing vegetables, but did not believe that any one
would attempt it. Even granting that the old law,
strictly construed, requires a peddlar's license. the
nep code, which is being published in the Elele,
does not; and to attempt now to make kanakas take
out a license for the few weeks remaining in which
the old law is in force is gross injustice. The assem-
bling of vegetable market men early in the morning
in the above central place, is a public convenience.
Formerly, house-keepers had to hunt all over town to
find a decent dinner, but of late years, by having one
central spot, our daily supply of vegetables has vastly
improved. To attempt at this late day to brow beat
the natives and levy ''black mali" from them. would
indicate either that the treasury is getting very re-
duced in funds, and this is resorted to as the last
mode to raise money, or else that the clerk of the
market has allowed his zeal to outstrip his judgment.
Ia either. case a discontinuance of the imposition on
the natives will be Of public benefit.
Coon EXERCISE FOR DULL TIMEs.-The mo-
notony of that usually quiet vicinity of our town,
near the corner of Emma and Beretania streets, was
cnlivened by a racy and amusing affair on Tuesday
evening last. Two worthy and well-known gentle
men of our community had been indulging in a
friendly dispute as to their respective powers of
speed, and it was decided to settle the matter upon
the spot by an appeal to legs. A course was marked
off, reaching from the corner of Emma square to the
makai side of Beretania street, and the competitors
prepared for the encounter by divesting themselves
of coats and hats. At this juncture the race was
nearly broken up by n demand on the part of one of
them that his opponent should sling a ten-pound
stone about his neck, in order to equalize their
weight. This demand, however, was negatived by
the %umpires, and, at the given signal, the parties
started. They gave the throng Of wondering spec
tators a specimen of some pretty Z" tan travelling
both reaching the goal neck and neck-a distance of
some two hundred yards-in, we feel no hesitation in
saying, considerably less than fifteen minutes. The
umpires, unfortunately, were unable to decide to
whom the victory belonged, and n second trial be-
necessary. This time, Mr.. W. came in fairly
n neck-and-a-half ahead, and was Immediately pre-
sented by his admiring friends with a gingerbread
medal, bearing an inscription suited TO the occasion
which medal he lost no time in depositing in o
place of safety. His opponent soothed his wounded
feelings by thrashing a small kanaka boy, and the
was fast disappearing when our reporter left.
SUBSCRIPTION AssEMBLEs.-The last of these pleas
ant parties takes place this evening at the Bungalow.
Among the honored guests will be the Last of the
Ice Creams"-and no doubt the fair ladies who will
be present on this occasion will pay their sweetest
'sdevours'' (deroirs ~ to the illustrious stranger so
lately come amongst us. but departing now from our
midst, only to return Pha ntom -shaped-a la Alonzo
the Brave and the Fair ~Imogene. Truly may it be
of the Manager, Mr.. E. Burgess, in thus catering
to the taste of the Ladies, he has shewn himself ADLER
than Orpheus: :.
:. Orpheus Of old did move the stones and trees"
Burgess, more powerful, procures the ice he sees-Gcy seas.)
Mr.. 4fckering, will discourse as usual on his piano,
words, addressed to the many t~winkling feet so
small and sylph like"-unlike Orpheus, who couldn't
do without his Tyre. Mrs. Rumor whispers, that as
he past Assemblies have gone off go well, there is a
chance of renewal, and we hope that Madame, un-
like the rest of her sex in general, may be believed.
LEG BRoKEN.-A foreigner in the employ of Mr..
Reynolds in Nuuanu Valley, and engaged in the
business, while returning home on Monday with
his cart, met a serious accident. At the time, he
was walking by the side of his mule. his cart being
filed with empty tin boxes. From some cause the
mule took fright, and run away. The man being
struck by the wheel, was knocked down and his
leg run over and both bones broken.