The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1861-12-19
correspondents Of the Pae. Commercial Advertiser
Letter IN om Hawaii.
Drought IN ROn0-COttOn-MnesS of Rer. Mr..
Ihurslon-Nominees for Representatives,.
NORTH KoxA, Hawaii. Dec. II, 1861.

NORTH KoxA, Hawaii, Dec. II. 1861.
ED. COMMERCIAL We are having a very dry time
of it here in Kona. Since the month of August last,
we have had scarcely any rain worth mentioning,
and day after day, week after week. the same hot sun
pours down Ola our devoted heads-still the sky is
brass and the earth iron. Our experiments with cot
ton and rice are ut a s%tsndstill, and no coffee is plant
ell, on account of the drought. Reservoirs are getting
dry, and water for domestic purposes has to be
brought from pools a long way up the mountain.
The dry weather, however, is no detriment to the
coffee plant that is already rooted, and the crop is
seen still ripening abundantly everywhere.
We feel confident that adapted as Kona has proved
to the growth Of coffee, it is equally well situated as
to soil and climate for cotton, particularly the low or
kula lands. But our great advantage. as you know,
is the absence of strong winds. Speaking of cotton
the PolynesiaR a few weeks ago made n curious
statement, to the effect that the people of Kau were
growing cotton largely. and that Mr.. C n. Spencer
was buying it up at 8 cents per pound. He must
have meant pull and 4 cents.
On last Monday the venerable missionary pioneer,
Rev. 4. ThurstOn had another attack of illness, which
appears to have partaken, like the last, of the nature
of paralysis. He was for several. hours incoherent
in his speech and quite cold. DR.. Herrick was i'm
mediately sent for, and after careful doctoring and
nursing, the symptoms were much better. Mr.. T.,
who was one of the pioneers of the mission in 1921,
is now about 76 years of age. 1t may be a satisiac-
ton to his friends to know that he has received every
care and attention in his illness from his more imme-
date neighbors, and that foremost in thoughtfulness
and solicitude, were their Majesties the King and
Queen.
By a letter from Kau, received yesterday, I learn
that Rev. Mr.. Shipman, wife and one child, were
down sick with a fever. and that DR.. Herrick (the
only physician in three Districts-North and South
Kona and Kau) was required Immediately. The
messenger lett waiohinu the 9th instant, at which
time it is said that Mr.. Shipman was delirious.
KOna is well provided with schools just now. Mr..
Watt keeps a very good English school at Kalukalu,
and recently, Mr.. c. F. Hart and Sister, Mrs. Robin
son, have opened a boarding and day school at Ono
uli, and are much liked.
Our kuaGinG district is not much exercised about
the coming election. There are but two candidates
J. II. Kamalo and the late member, G. W.. Pilipo,
and the last will probably walk over the course"
In South Kona the candidates L have heard mention
ed are, DIR. J. Herrick, Capt. Cummings, D. II. Ma
hinu, and ]. ~ KahOokaumaha. ia. h. will with
out doubt be elected. If you ask why l AN so GER
tain about the election Of the candidates l have
PANIED, l answer because they were nominated at
meetings of the lunas of the church. l do not men-
ton this out of any i'll feeling, but simply because
that is the only recommendation those candidates
have, that l have been able to learn.
Yours truly, l..