The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1871-09-02
Letters from Hawaii-No. 2.
rrRoM OUR TRAVELLING CORRESPONDENT

Hno, August 18th. 1871.
The Kate Lex got away about IL O'Clock NJ. to-
day. taking with her a cabin full of passengers.
hoping that by Sunday P. NJ. she will reach Homo
lulu. Your correspondent, having about CON-
pleted his preparations for leaving here on Mon
day of next week. busted himself in examining
RAMIE MACHINE,
Imported by Messrs. Hitchcock and Castle. and
set up by the Judge here in town. An expert
mental trial with some shoots of the Ramie. has
shown that the machine cleans the fibre from the
wood very effectually and economically as regards
time and quantity. The patches of RamIe that
have been cultivated here are doing finely, and
their locality seems to be peculiarly well adapted
to its growth. The shoots are, even now, before
attaining their full growth. some six feet in length,
and the young shoots are filling in the spaces be-
tween the original plants. so that in a short time
the ground will be entirely occupied. Two crops
a year can be taken off with ease, and the yielG in
fibre per acre will be heavy. The variety i'm
ported from California differs from that obtained
from DR.. Hillebrand. IN several particulars. The
leaf OF the California plant is of a bright smooth
green on both sides. while
THE TRUE RAMIE OF COMMERCE.
Is characterized by a peculiar white appearance
and soft velvety surface on the under side of the
leaf. The two are not to be mistaken for each
other, which is important. as the bright variety is
not worth much as a fibre. i. e.. the difficulty of
separating the wooden portion from the valuable
portion will always prevent its being of much
value. There is no doubt but that the true Ramie
will be q very valuable addition to the products
of these Islands indeed it is safe to predict that
the growth and preparation of the various valu-
able fbres that flourish on this group, will soon
exceed in importance that OF sugar. The true
commercial prosperity of this Kingdom depends
upon the production of some staple that can be
grown better here than in any other locality. The
history of sugar planting here has been written,
not alone by the pens OF competent writers. but in
every corner OF the land in the experience of all
who have started plantations and the conclusion
arrived at must be that 1t does not pdy. Your COR
respondent is aware of the fact that this Judgment
will provoke criticism. and he hopes it will. In
some future letter we will discuss the fbres of the
Hawaiian Islands, and their commercial impor-
lance.
WILD CATTLE.
While strolling by the Court House. and adj
miring that noble structure, as well as the new
wall that is in process of construction around it.
our attention was attracted by the rattle and rum
BILE of hurried hoOfs laundering over the :" chain
bridge" The cOnstabulary darted out from their
office to arrest the viOlators of the place. (they
arrest and fine people here for crossing on the
bridge faster than a Walk but by the time they
reached the door a round half-dozen of wild bipis
dashed into the enclosure sacred to law and
equity. Our vigilant executors of the laws man.
dates - dispersed upstairs to get a commanding
point of view. ~ and your correspondent got be-
hind one Pride of India , (they grow very large
here) ana the - blplS," seeing nothing and nobody
before them, tore across the Court House yard in
to the garden of the ex-Sherih. and p~lunging
madly up the front steps. disappeared within the
house. The French Consul and family sitting at
lunch, were a little surprised to see the parlor and
dining room filed with horns. hoofs and tails, and
with the single exclamation of ''diable" from
the head of the family. left the field OF action and
their unfinished repast to the mercy of the below
ing intruders. No time to stop had they--tbrouSh
the open door the beWildered animals caught a
glimpse of green fields and pastures new and
headed by one rampagous veteran of the bovine
race. horns. hoofs and tails dashed wildly down
the steps, over the fence. and in the meadow next
the house, found freedom once again. No great
damage was done we believe; somebody was
badly scared, and the mason engaged in finishing
the wall around the Court House has been re-
quested to complete the same as quickly as posi-
BILE. Speaking of
THE COURT HOUSE WALL.
In our opinion it needs something or other to
finish it off. We would suggest that it be boarded
up and rooted in, and on top of the roof an open
iron fence be erected. AS a foundation it is good,
but as a wall it reminds one of a statue of the
{" human form divine :" without any head.-a finely
dressed lady without a waterfall,-a joke without
q pointer any other meaningless structure.
Roaming around the town we came across
% Jail street. Ye gods! what's in a name?"
Much. we insist how would it seem to invite your
friend ont for a little walk through "Penitentiary
Avenue down to Incarceration Point" and so
down Correction Lane" to the Detention
HOUSE" for lunch.
/ must close. We start Monday A. NJ. for Puma.
QUIRK.