The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1869-07-31
THE PACIFIC
Commercial Advertiser.
X Y. JULY 81.

Tho Duke a. Istt111DurehS N1Stt.
On Friday of last week the British Commits
sioner entertained Ills Majesty and III. X. III. the
Duke of Edinburgh at Il dinner party. After
which the Duke visited the British Club, t.
gether with the gentlemen comprising his staff.
On Sunday the GaIafea was visited by many
from the shore. At 10 A. NJ. service was held
on board, the Chaplain officiating.
Parties who have visited this ship speak in
praise of her model and appointments. She is
without doubt the finest specimen of a British
ship-ofwar that has visited these islands. She
was selected for this service on account of her
superior accommodations and sea-going qualities,
and, it is said, fully ~justifes her claim of being
the most commodious war-vessel afloat.
On Monday His Majesty entertained the Duke,
who was attended by officers of his suite and
others belonging to the ship. The Chancellor,
Ministers and other officials were also present
with their wives.
The band from the Gadtea was in attendance
and discoursed music of a style rarely heard
here. The Highland piper, in his original Scotch
costume, is an object of marked attention
wherever he goes, and is most certainly one of
the most accomplished musical artists VT have
ever been permitted to hear.
On Tuesday the Duke and several officers of
the Galatea attended a Luau or native feast at
Waikiki. His Majesty and the Queens Dowager
Kalama and Emma, and Her Excellency the Gov
erness of Hawaii, with other ladies of the Court,
were also present. The Gazette states that it
was an " exclusively native party We have
heard it stated that it was SO intended, and to
carry out the intention several halfcaste ladies,
who have married foreigners, were invited and
their husbands omitted in the invitations: GER
tainly a very singular and questionable proceed
ure, and one not calculated to engender good feel
ing. We regret to have to chronicle the fact
that the disgraceful Hula-dance was q part of the
programme, and trust for the sake of common
decency that it may be the last time that this
relict of heathenism may be performed before
such an audience. Had not q heavy shower of
rain fallen at about 5 O'Clock it is possible that
the scenes SO clearly depicted in a recent article
in the Overland Magazine would have been re-
enacted.
On Wednesday, the native population-men,
and children, in large n~umbers-desirous
of testifying their aloha for the Duke, visited his
OH Queen street, each bringing n pres
ent. At times the crowd was SO great that the
iAstu W ~ W PiS'ShN NNiNN A
Royal Highness stood on the steps, while the
filed past him, each bearing a gift, such as
a fowl, pig, melon, taro, potatoes, bananas, sugar
cane, fruits, &c. Some of the more consequential
among his visitors, after depositing their gifts,
would stop and shake hands with the Duke, who,
true democratic spirit, treated them all alike.
of the incidents were amusing enough.
For instance, n portly woman, dressed in her gay
est colors, carried q fat black pig, carefully pressed
to her bosom. After passing the porcine pet
to the attendant sailor. she boldly steps up and
the honor of a grasp Of the Dukes hand,
who gallantly gives her n hearty welcome and
aloha. The whole scene was an exhibition ofthe
warm and friendly character OF our LIawaiians,
and the not less courteous and princely bearing of
the noble Duke. We have tried to get some data
for an estimate of the quantity of gifts presented
on the occasion. As near as we can learn, there
were $50 fowls of all kinds, l6O pigs, two tons
Of taro, two tons Of sugar cane, one ton of melons,
one ton of sweet potatoes, besides fruits, such as
cocoanuts, mangocs. pine apples, with specimens
Of mats, native tapa cloth, &C., &C., the whole
some eight or ten tons of freight, which
was sent on board on Friday morning in two
large scows.
We ought, perhaps to add that this is an old
custom, called hOOkupu, or paying tribute.
now nearly obsolete. Whenever a king or chief
visited any distant part of his domain, the people
all brought their tribute or gifts, according to
heir ability. s. VIXEN Queen EMMA returned
from the United States TWO years since, the ma
lives, to show their respect and aloha for her,
numerous. presents, which she generously
on board the steamer Vanderbilt, which had
her hithcr. During a residence of twenty
years here, We have never seen so general a turn
put of natives, nor SO large n quantity o fpresents,
rs on this occasion. If it is any test of their es-
of him, the Duke will leave us bearing
distinguished honor of being one of the chief
of the Hawaiian people.
On Wednesday night His Royal Highness, and
Inc officers of the Galafea, were entertained at a
at the Palace, given in honor Of the Duke.
On Thursday at l p. NJ. His Majesty and staff,
Minister'S, the Queens Dowager Kalama and
Emma, Governor Dominis and staff, and other
,ficials, and their wives, visited the Galatea.
The ship was decked with bunting and the yards
we're manned upon the arrival of the Royal party
&c the vessel. At a little before 4 the Royal
party left the ship, receiving the usual salute.
Yesterday His Royal Highness entertained His
Majesty to dinner, with n few of the members of
Court, at his residence in Queen street.
The Galatea will sail for Japan soon after the
arrival of the mail steamer, probably on the ID
IF August.
The SUMNER RAINs.-From all parts of the group
We hear that abundant rains have fallen during the