The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1860-01-26
NOTES OF THE WEEK.

A FINE SrGHr.-The departure Of three steamers
one after the other, as was the case on Sunday last,
on the sailing of the Russian feet, afforded q sight
which Honolulu has probably never before had.
Many regretted that the Admiral should have select.
ed the Sabbath for his departure, not only because
comparatively few thus viewed the sight, but from
the fact that it drew out the precedent on the part OF
this government, of saluting on the Sabbath, which
has heretofore been steadily refused by it An inter-
esting occurrence took place on board of the Plastoon.
Capt. Matskiewitch Of this vessel has been obliged on
account of i'll health to resign his command, and re-
turns home overland. When the steamer was ready
to start, the gallant captain assembled his officers and
crew on the deck, and in a few brief and touching re-
marks, resigned his place. and parted with them.
His officers and crew, who all loved him like q brother,
wept at the parting Of their late commander, who
had been with them over two years, and this express
sion of their friendship completely overcame hiGl.
As he landed on the wharf, all hands gathered on the
quarter de- and gave him three hearty cheers, such
as Russian tars know we'll how to give. Again on
passing the Esplanade the sailors noticed him, man.
ned the yards and gave him another round of cheers.
The fleet sailed for Tahiti, thence to Valparaiso, Rio.
New York and Cronstadt.
BAKER's IsLANp.-The Josephine brought discour-
aging news from Daker B 1SiaHu, reporting the COM"
plete destruction Of the shear wharf, erected for the
purpose of shipping guano over the surf This wharf
was about 400 feet in length and put up with a great
deal of labor. The first injury TO it was caused by
the hull of the wrecked ship Tifginia being washed
against it in a storm. This carried away FIVE pairs of
shears, which, however, were soon replaced and the
wharf put in working order. A Few days later, &
tremendous surf rolled in from the westward, which
completely demolished the whole structure. This
surf is supposed to have been created by the S. w.
Monsoons, which blow with such terrific fury in the
China seas. Eyewitnesses describe it as exceeding
anything of the kind ever seen at these islands in our
heaviest storms. The surf rolls in from the sea,
sometimes an unbroken column, twenty to twenty-five
feet high, and quarter of a mile long, threatening at
times to deiuge the island, and affording one of the
grandest sights imaginable. And this occurs without
any strong wind, or perhaps the wind from the con-
trary direction. OF course no fabric, though built of
solid masonry, could withstand such q tremendous
power, and the probability is that the shipping Of
e"""" -H ~ NC uUnr ny inc srOw mode OF
Bleaching the whaleboats. whenever a quiet sea per-
mits il. for no boats could ever ride through such
surfs as we have described.
The GREATEST Horse RACE YEr.-Among the
amusements for His Majesty's Birthday, Feb. 9th, a
match comes off on the Waikiki Course, between Mr..
Webster's gelding Sioren, and +. Spencer's Tdn-
dyke or TdsmGn. Sloven was bred upon Hawaii,
sire " LAUREL Imported by r. c.. Janion, Esq.
from Australia Much interest is felt for both horses,
as {" Vandyke'' and " Tasman" are from the origin
al stock. Laurel" vas imported as a superior
horse to improve the breed. This race will decide
many points regarding the speed and endurance of
the change. " Sloven'' so far has beaten all that
have started with him, and stands the favorite.
" Vandyke'' is now IN his 10th year, and has never
been beaten, havin, won over fifty matches his
last race was with 60 Boston, about two wears since.
y Among the passengers by the Yankee, are the
Hon. Abner Pratt, u. s. Consul at this port, and his
lady. Judge Pratt visits the United States for his
health. He has suffered much at times from the
asthma complaint, which our south winds, that pre-
vail during the winter, on. aggravate. During his
stay here, his private and official course has been
marked with u courtesy and urbanity, which has
won for him, even from strangers, the esteem and re-
spect of all. Judge Pratt intends to return to his
post in about six months. We tender to him our per-
sonal aloha for the many and marked favors shown to
us in our position as publisher, (oten a trying one)
and We most sincerely wish him and his estimable
lady a safe and pleasant voyage home to the endear-
ed hill and vallies ofs' old Michigan
OFF FoR A LONG Cause.-The schooner Far West
sailed ON Monday last for Bakers Island. We I'M
derstand she is bound from thence on a cruise or
voyage of discovery, where we know not, but pre-
sumo it to be in search Of new islands Astounding in
guano. She will probably not return before July or
August. As she set sail and left the harbor, her
consort, the Josephine, fred a parting salute to her
late commander, Capt. N. c. Stone, who went in the
Far Vest. -
ALMOST A FIRE.-On Tuesday evening the gas APP
nected, we believe, with the gas company's works,
caught fire by the carelessness of a kanaka
boy Who was left in temporary charge. For a few
it threatened 10 become q large fire, as it
was contiguous to webster's stables; but by the
promptness of those on the spot, it was extinguished
before any serious damage was sustained.
SIDE wALKs.-A good improvement is being made
by repairing and Strengthening side paths at the
corners OF some Of our principal streets. If the ope-
ration is fully carried out, and quadrupeds are not al
lowed to stand across them, it will add considerably
to their uniformity and general appearance. No
hing helps more to adorn a street, than neat and
straight side paths. The use of old ship plank ap-
pears to answer about as well as curb stones
SERVED Him RrGHT.-The native named Maona,
who was, some short time ago arrested for ~inficting
injuries upon the person of his wife, was last
week brought forward for trial in the Supreme Court.
He pleaded guilty to the charge and was remanded
or sentence. He was sentenced to two years hard
abor. This will perhaps be a lesson to all woman
,eaters, and serve to deter them from INDUCING in
yuch. -
Il The Comet sailed on Tuesday, at l p. NJ, for
San Francisco, full ~freighted. The wind was very
light and she was still in sight at sun down. She
las n poor start, but for all that may make n quick
rip. At all events her passage over will be
watched with interest, followed as she will be by the
Yankee on Saturday or Monday.
- Our thanks are due to the Polynesian Office
or assistance in setting up the Collectors tables,