The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1871-12-16
Mondav,s Celebration.

Cllys n QdlnRut, AOOby ohH
fired, at an early hour, shops and places of business
with scarcely an exception were closed, hags were
displayed in ~profusion from the shipping and the
numerous stats on shore, and everybody appeared
to have agreed with everybody else to make a holl-
day of it. And it may be remarked here, that
though the observance of the day was so universal
the general quiet and decorum. and the almost en-
tire absence of drunkenness on the streets, was note
worthy. It was far from being thus in former days
1t argues that either the masses are becoming more
temperate and moral, or that they have less money
to spare. Perhaps both causes may be operative
But it must be remembered also, and we are sorry 70
have to acknowledge the fact, that the native crowds
that used to be seen in our streets on public days,
exist no longer. Twenty years ago on the Kings
birthday, there was fifty where there is five now.
The two principal points of attraction during the
day, was the Esplanade. to witness the sports on the
water, and the plains of Kulaokahua, east of the
city, where the horse racing, which took place after
noon, was the grand affair of the day. During the
forenoon, the Esplanade presented a gay spectacle,
where thousands had assembled, of all ages and both
sexes, on foot, on horseback and in carriages, repre-
senting all known nationalities, and of every posi-
BILE shade of complexion.
THE MECHANICS REGATTA.
The barkentine Victor, which lay in the stream,
was the flag Ship for the occasion, where were
stationed the judges, the umpire, and other officers
of the race, and where was assembled q goodly num-
Der of ladies and children and invited guests. Music
was on hand, and the time was enlivened with
uuadrilles and waltzes, mirth and social jollity, that
made the occasion a very pleasant one.
AT 1880 the yachts started on the first race, the
smaller craft getting away first, according to their
tonnage, the Thistle, being the largest. casting of
the last. The course was such that after leaving the
harbor, the entire feet was soon out of sight, the
first stake boat being seven miles southwest OF the
entrance. The Cara Bell, an old favorite, led oh
handsomely, but when the boats again came into
view, working up to the stake boat off Diamond
Head, the race had evidently narrowed down to the
Thistle and the Ruiamaau, the former passing the
stake boat five minutes in advance of the latter.
Thence to the entrance of the port, the Thistle had
it all her own way, arriving at the goal eleven min
uies ahead of the>RuLamdnu. 1t is but fair to say
that in rounding the stake boat to the leeward, the
latter boat accidentally carried away her main boom,
the repairing of which caused some twenty minutes
detention. The time occupied by these two boats
was respectively five hours and five minutes, and
FIVE hours and sixteen minutes. 1t is probable, as
we hear, that another match will be made between
these boats, the owner of the KuiGmanu being still
confident that he can win.
After the yachts had got off, the row-boat races
were in order. First, was a race between two-oared
boats, of which there were four entered, Young
america the winner. Second, a canoe race, around
a schooner anchored abreast the lighthouse. This
was won by the Hoiok0hana, in seven minutes. The
gig race, was between two, the LiLiu and the Dandy,
each pulling six oars. The latter came in first, and
was awarded the prize by the judges, but as there
was some dissatisfaction on the part of the hackers
of the Liliu, it was proposed to allow the race to be
again run on Wednesday. The Dandy was ready as
before, at the appointed hour. but the illus people
wanted to put in a new crew and c6xswain, which,
not being allowed, the decision stands as at first rem
dered. Then there were other " shore boat" races,
and a match between whaleboats, which last was
won by Huiipahu, Sweet Maggie coming in second.
In all of these boat races, there was splendid rowing
exhibited, and the winners became such by purely
hard work. The amusing tub and dingy races closed
the sports of the day for this part of the city, and
the crowds poured out towards the old course of
Kulaokahua, where
THE RACES,
Under the management of the stewards, had at
tracted q large crowd of spectators. A correspond
ent who is an experienced turfman, has furnished US
with the following account of the races.
The great success which attended these races, will
no doubt induce the Stewards to try their hands
again, and we must certainly compliment the man
agement on the business-like and sporting manner
IN which all the arrangements were carried out
even to 81 the correct card of the races" A prettier
race course can scarcely be found, and we think
hard to be beat anywhere, with room at least for ten
horses to gallop abreast, and we should say, with the
exception of rather a sharp turn on the makai side
near Lemons fence, it would be almost perfect.
Owing to the counter attraction in Honolulu, namely,
the boat races, the visitors on the course at the
commencement Of the races, were not so numerous as
we expected to see, but towards the afternoon there
was a large attendance among the first carriages
that arrived on the ground, was that of Her Majesty
Queen Emma Many were inclined to think at the
outset that these races would prove a failure, but we
are happy to state they were a great success. We
should be loath indeed to see racing in Hawaii mel
fall to the ground, and although all the events at this
meeting have been won by one stable, still we hope
it will urge owners and breeders of horses to try
their luck again at the next meeting. The entries
were not SO good as expected, but the cause no
doubt was owing to the short notice the public
received.
The maiden plate opened the ball at halfpast one,
and out of the seven entries, five only came to the
post. The betting was in favor Of 1.-THE Queen
two to one against Sam Morrin,'' three to one
against "Painkiller." "The Queen 4" won a good
race by half q neck.
The next event, the Kings birthday plate, brought
out the lot entered. "Carlotta,' who was in splen-
did condition. was backed against the field for .
good deal of money, and justified her hackers by the
result, she won as she liked, in fact was not asked
to gallop.
In the hurdle race 'Carry the News to Mary
had no difficulty in ~dispOsing of his two opponents,
in consequence of their both coming to grief at the
fourth jump. But had Post Boy kept on his
legs, we have no doubt he would have proved the
winner of this raj.
The hack race brought out the largest field of
horses, but it proved q very easy victory for Red