The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1869-01-02
EDITORIAL CORRESPONDENCE.
PER 'sIDAHo.''-No ..

SAN Francisco, Dec. 9, 1868.
My DEAR COMMERCIAL This is a busy, whirling,
busting city, differing in many features from the
older Atlantic cities, some of which it will soon out
rank in population and commerce. Whichever way
You turn, the same ceaseless hustle and enterprise
are observed. San Francisco is no doubt a great
place for money making-fortunes are made and lost
more rapidly and easily than anywhere else in the
world-but for quiet and safe business and real
home comforts and happiness, there is nothing here
that will compare with our own lovely islands. Bus
iness men here are intent on making money, appar-
emily to the sacrifice of everything else, and, as a
consequence, home, family and health take secondary
places.
The Earthquake of Oct. 81
Was even more destructive TO this city than the most
liberal accounts estimated it. Nearly every building
bears its marks in a greater or less degree, while
hundreds of stores have had their foundations or
walls so disturbed, that they must be rebuilt. This
is going on in almost every street in the lower part
of the city, and will require months to complete it.
On the whole, the earthquake will in the end prove
to have been a benefit to the city, as it will lead to
the adoption of a stronger and more permanent style
of buildings than the mass of those heretofore con-
structed. Wcll-built houses will resist the severest
earthquakes ever known on this continent north Of
latitude 20, while it would not require a much
harder shock than that of October II TO level half
the buildings in this city. Two or three light shocks
have occurred since my arrival, one of which, ON
Sunday Nov. ~, 1 distinctly felt.
The SMALLPOX
Is increasing in this city at a fearful rate. For the
week ending Nov. IS, it is stated that there were one
hundred and two new cases and twenty-nine deaths.
For the week ending Dec. 5, there were 104 new
cases and IS deaths. Too much care can not be
taken to have every native throughout the islands
vaccinated, especially all under fifteen years of age.
With so frequent communication between this port
and Honolulu as exists, it would not be strange to
hear of cases occurring at the islands.
4 Japanese Official.
BY the following item from the Bulletin it appears
that a Japanese official has arrived here en- route for
Honolulu:
JAPAN SENDS A Consul To THE HAWAIIAN ISLANDS.
Among the passengers who arrived by the China
is a consul sent by the Japan Government TO the
Hawaiian Islands to look after the interests of Jap
anese subjects residing there. He is a young man
about q years of age, highly educated and of dis
tinguished family. This, we believe, is the first ma
tive sent by Japan to a foreign country to assume
consular functions, and indicates the progressive in
fuences at work in that exclusive land. 1t shows
also the interest it has in the welfare of its subjects
living abroad.
The Hawaiian Consul informed me a few days
since, that he has been sent out by the japanese
Government to look after and report on the japanese
coolies.
The Temperance Legion
Held a meeting in this city on Sunday evening last,
and as two of the speakers on the occasion are
known in Honolulu, l quote the report of the Times:
The speaker of the evening was Colonel r. A.
Hawkins. who, in his remarks, said that it was several
months since he addressed the Legion, and since that
time he had visited the Sandwich Islands, and there
he had seen a large gathering Of the Honolulu Lee
gion, under command of Colonel Jones. He said in
a few days he would make a raid on the wine makers.
Mrs II. W. Allen read an essay upon the subject of
temperance, and also a fine poem. The Howard
Glee Club sang several of their interesting songs.
After admitting several recruits the meeting adj
journed.
The MeteOrS.
l observe that the meteoric shower was witnessed
in various parts Of the United States and also in
Europe, on the morning Of November II. The re-
ports all agree very nearly, and the following is a
fair description Of them all:
HARrFoRD, Conn., Nov. IA splendid meteoric
display was witnessed here Just after midnight.
Four observers counted three hundred, ut the rate of
over ten a minute. Some of them were very bril-
liant, and left long trails behind them, lasting over a
minute or more. The display increased in the num-
Der and brilliancy of the meteors after ono O'Clock
\. VI.
The s.Mhite Pine Mines.
Nothing can exceed the wonderful stories told Of
the richness Of these mines. | have seen samples Of