The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1861-01-31
NOTES OF THE WEEK,

The ALEET's BALL--On Thursday evening last.
the Captain and officers of ii. b. NJ. steamer .4Leri
gave a ball to the fair Honoluluaus at the Armory o.
the Honolulu Rifles. The hall was plainly but taste.
fully decorated with flags, devices and evergreens,
and the refreshments were plenty and of the best
His Majesty the King honored the BALI with his
presence, and, although the company was not 50
large as on other Occasons-owing TO the previous
bad weather and serious apprchcnsions of its continu-
ance-yet we believe that the occasion was enjoyed
with all the better spirit for the risk run of a soiled
chaussure or q spoiled couture in coming ct going.
d" Fortune favOrs the brave" however, and the gen
tlemanly hosts were favored with n cessation Of rain
for several hours previous TO and during the whole of
the bali. The ball broke up At u late hour, and we
have no doubt that with all of the guests, and, we
hope, with the entertainers also, the pleasantest re-
collections of the -ferts visit 10 Honolulu will by
some mysterious ASSOCIATION of the heart or the mind
connect themselves with the ball on the 9th instant.
-POiyHesiGn. -
BAD RoADs.-The rainy weather of the past few
weeks has cut mp our roads most sadly. In some
places they have been almost impossible. The Nuu-
anu Valley road, which ought to be one of our best
thoroughfares, has been n constant cause of COM
plant. If nothing more is done, why can't a good
sidewalk be constructed, rs far at least at Rosebank.
We have often wondered how the Laird of Hazel
bank who always walks in preference TO riding,
has so long endured this abominaole load, when it
could so easily be rem edIed. Why, our gang of
devils, with three shovels and two wheelbarrows,
could construct a sidewalk along the entire length of
the above road in less time than the Supervisor has
been coming over IL, or the public in grumbling at
it. In ManOa, too, a road and bridge is needed,
which though the taxes have been paid for it, and we
have called attention before to it, has never been con-
structed. Where's the fault!
PEEsoNAL-We learn that it is the inten ton of I.
7. Dougherty, Esq, late United States Vice Consul,
and for the most Of the past eight years, confdentially
connected with that Consulate, to leave for San Fran
cisco in the bark Comet, en- route for Philadelphia,
the place Of his nativity. The kindness always shown
to, and endeavor to please every one who had occa-
sion to DO business at that Office, will be readily re-
called, and his departure leaves n void in our bust
ness circles not easily TO be filled. We wish him \
thousand dlOhdS, and a happy meeting with his kins-
folk and friends. We also learn that Mr.. D~Ougherty
will be Bearer of Dispatches from the United States
Legation to the Government at Washington.
The BURNT DIsTRICT-This tract, which was swept
of its buildings by the fire of the Goth Dec, has near
ly resumed its former busy aspect. Messrs. Thomp-
son * Neville, have erected a new and commodious
blacksmith shop; Messrs. Fosters have built a ~shipcar-
penter's shop, about so feet in length, and more con-
venient than the old one besides which several
butcher shops have taken the place of those destroy
ed. Mr.. Thos. Hughes i about erecting two spacious
one-story buildings, each 4Gx35 feet, one for a
machine shop and the other for a foundry. These
completed, will restore the burnt district to its form
er busy aspect, the mill alone being wanting. The
latter is to be erected in another part Of the town.
= In one Of our exchanges We notice the follow
ing item. Whether this is one Of the results of the
q panic prevailing through the Union, We are not
informed, but it evidently constitutes a link in the
crisis, and demonstrates the supreme folly of betting,
even with the best Of men and in the best Of causes
We are Informed, upon the most satisfactory authority, that
Hon. Abner Pratt, eN-Judge, etc, who just came home from
Honolulu, with a handsome fortune, made a bet with a Repub-
Michigan by 10000 majority. When the stake holder was called
upon for the $1,000, be replied that judge Pratt had assigned The
over. - much for 50 much.-LGHViHg Michigan Republican.
II We received yesterday, a letter from Hilo
and one from Kau, Hawaii, both dated Jan. Q. h having
been u days on the passage, the latter complaining
that the Commercials arrive very irregularly, often
two weeks behind time. The papers are mailed regu-
larly at the post-ofice, on the day they are published.
Over the mails we have no control, but the frequent
complaints ma ie TO US, show that letters and papers
do not pass along as fast as they should.
TuP WEAruER.-From all parts Of the group, we
hear that the fall Of rain has been very heavy, and
the pastures much improved. The storm, which Is
now over, has been unusually severe The schooner
Henri received some damage at Hama, losing her
t-lier by striking the rocks. The schooner Uar-
risk parted her chains while at anchor ut Molokai,
but was saved from injury 10y q native diving and
fastening a hauser 10 the anchor.
New WATER WoEEs-We are glad to see this sub
stantial and important public Improvement going
steadily forward towards completion. The reservoir,
which will hold over 300, 900 gallons, is about finish
and the large Pinch main pipes are being IA
pidly laid through Nuuanu avenue. When the work
is completed, il will be a great blessing to the city.
-. We notice the return Of 5. Hofmeyer, Esq,
from Lshaina, in feeble health. lie vii! no doubt be
.arpv u Sc his iii friends. J