The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1860-12-06
NOTES OF THE WEEK.

NOTES OF THE WEEK.
PEAR CULTURE A SUCCFss.-Some two or more
years ago, we recommended planting pear trees in
our islands, basing the suggestion on the well-known
fact that they are a tropical fruit, and have always
thriven in warm ATTITUDES. Rev. f. Johnson, of
Hlnalei, who is trying the experiment, writes US
I" l wish to communicate, through your paper, the
fact that bona fde' pears can be raised at the
Hawaiian Islands. l have a small tree of the Bart
lert' variety, three years from the nursery of Cali
fornia, that has borne seven pears of n respectable
size and of quite a good favor. The largest was about
5 inches IN circumference in the middle. The fruit
was attacked by the coffee insect before it became
fully ripe, but as it was, it put one in mind of home.
The favor was very similar to the pears of Valparaiso.
| mention these facts, because 1 know you are deep
ly interested in the fruit culture of the islands, and
also as an encouragement to the cultivators of fruit
generally We hope the experiment will be tried
by others, and the wet months being the most favor
able time of the year to set out trees, they should be
ordered soon. -
- The steamer does not 90 out this week, but is
undergoing some alterations in her rig, which will
render her more serviceable and more comfortable for
travel. On her last trip up to Hilo and also on the
return trip, she had n crowd of passengers and
n fair freight, and must certainly be doing n paying
business. She will start under her new time table,
(published in another column on Tuesday next. for
Kona, Hawaii, and the changes made will doubtless
enable her to keep her time with more regularity
than during November. On Sunday night, she ar
rived off the port from windward about : p. NJ, but
owing to the darkness, it was difficult to find the an
chorage, while a light would have enabled her to en-
ter the harbOr.
REsIGNED-By a notice in another column, we see
that Capt. Thos Spencer has resigned the foreman
ship of the Hook and Ladder Company, in a~nticipa-
ton ofhis leaving soon for Hilo. During his residence
here, he has been an active member of Our fire de-
partment. and for most of the time, a foreman of one
of the Companies, and in his removal, our depart
ment loses one of its strongest and best memb' :.
By the way, we would suggest that the "Mechanics'
donate their old machine to the town Of Hilo, where
the increasing population and buildings call for some
protection. With such a leader as the gallant
Captain, a company would soon be organized, and
we should be prepared to hear of rivalry between
Hilo and Honolulu, to say nothing of company eN-
cursions back and forth. Who seconds the motion
HAWAIIAN KoA ABRoAD.-At one Of the recent
fairs held in San Francisco, some blocks and speci-
mems of koa furniture were exhibited. According to
the .4lta'S account, they resemble in many respects
the choicest samples of mahogany. The wood is fine
" grained, highly polished, and admirably adapted
for handsome furniture. As q substitute for the COM
para,ively rare woods of the tropics, it is not unlikely
that hereafter the koa may come into use in Cali:or-
MIA" -
DECIDEDLY FAsT.-In one of our Eastern exchanges
we find the following item. 1t is surprising how re-
ports will sometimes get started. If the {" professors
alluded to ran away at all, it must have been TO some
more genial climate than ours
PRoFFssoRs EXTR AoRDINARY.-An endowment fund
81. twenty thousand dollars having been raised for the
University of the Pacific, San Jose, California, the !
three Professors in charge ran away with 1t recently
for the Sandwich Islands.
CHOICE PrcruREs-ThOse who wish to procure
some very fine engrayings, will have an opportunity
to do so on Saturday evening. The collection will
be opened for inspection on Friday, at the auc-
ton room of A. P. Everett. These pictures were
selected in the United Staaes, by Mr.. j. Fuller,
whose taste in such matters is a sufficient guarantee
that those who purchase will be satisfied with them.
THE NEXT MAIL DUs-It is thought that the
Yankee would leave San Francisco on the lst Of De-
If so, she will bring two msils-those of
October u and November l. Should she not have
left San Francisco till December 5, she will bring us
mails, including that of November II, which
will give full details Of the Presidential Election. She
will be due here about December 10.
THASKsGIvISG-Thursday last was observed as
such. a~greeably to notice in our columns. Their
Iajesties the King and Queen attended at the Stone
Chapel Of Kawaiahao. Rev. Mr.. Damon preached
o n large audience at the Fort street Church, giving
history of the origin of the day as it is observed in
England. -
NV SPECIES or FIsH.-A specimen Of n new spe-
of fish was caught yesterday in the harbor, which
ir. Emmert thinks has never before been found in
ur waters. 1t very much resembles a mackerel.
natives say that, seeing it swimming in the har-
or, they threw 4 stone at and hit it, when it jumped
Mt Of the water at them, and landed on the wharf.
sounds rather - fshy."
RUNAWAY ACCIDENT. - On Thursday afternoon,
While the King was riding out in a buggy with
'eter Kaeo, the horse took fright and upset the We
icle. injuring Mr.. Kaeo, but his Majesty fortunate
Y escaped unhurt. | Il
COMMISSIONER or DEEDs.-By notice in another COL
mn, it will be seen that Capt. John Patty has been
ppointed commissioner to take the acknowledgment I
+ deeds and other legal instruments for the state Of !
-
y We acknowledge the receipt Of some very fine