The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1872-12-07
a Scene on a Plantation.

# Mr.. EDIToR-The farewell feast given in honor of
the retiring manager Of the kohaia Plantation by
his late employees, on the 9th inst, was one of the
pleasantest affairs Of the kind that l have ever wit
messed, and deserves notice in your columns. The
deep and sincere attachment which evidently exists
between the late manager, MIR. d. l.. Baldwin, and
the employees, both foreigners and natives, without
exception, Is highly creditable 10 both parties, and
did one good TO see. 1t shows what uubounded in-
fuence a manager acquainted with Hawaiian char
acter eau acquire over his men without in the least
degree relaxing discipline or tolerating laEiness.
To return TO the feast-an extensive lanai had been
built in a hGu grove, a mile east of the mill, and
eight bullocks had been slaughtered by the natives,
besides numerous pigs, turkeys and chickens, and an
unlimited supply of the Hawaiian staff of life. Two
long tables ran lengthwise of the lanai and grosned
beneath the weight of the eatables, which made up
in quantity what was lacking in variety.
The kohala Band, under the able leadership of VIM.
Merseburg, discoursed inspiring music and covered
themselves with glory. A choir of Hawaiian damsels
dressed in white, sang four original songs composed
for the occasion, two of them we believe by the hon.
ored Laureate of Waimea.
When " the rage of hunger was appeased, - the
crowd adjourned TO the open air and formed in a half
circle on one side of the lanai to witness the cere-
mony, which Was to be he great event of the day,
while the orators and others Immediately concerned,
stood at the entrance of the lanai in the centre, and
the band was stationed opposite at the outer edge of
the ring. The orator of the day, a Mr.. Halai, then
presented Mr.. Baldwin with "a splendid gold watch
and chain in the name of the employees of the
hohala Plantation, III a feeling and appropriate
speech, which was u good specimen ofnative eloquence.
The watch which had been purchased by the con-
tributions of all the men employed on the plantation,
is u superb specimen of the jewelers. art, and it cost,
we are informed, S235.
Mr.. Baldwin responded in a speech which was
worthy of the occasion. and was listened to with
intense interest by all present
1t was an excellent idea for him to charge the
people to preserve the numerous trees which he has
planted, and which are already becoming a fine orna-
ment to Koh la. Mr.. Halai followed in a historical
address, eulOglzing the administration of the late
manager; his leading idea being that he had been a
smakua " o" father to his laborers, and had shown
untiring solicitude, both for their physical and moral
welfare.
Rev. Mr.. Kupohu made a brief address, in which
he said that . the skies had been shedding tears over
their friends DEPARTURE (referring to the late
rains,) but that now the sky had cleared up and
the sun shone out to smile on the ceremonies of this
day" Rev. Mr.. AHA, a returned missionary, in
troduced a converted Gilbert Islander, who made an
address in his native dialect, interpreted by AHA
to the great delight of the crowd. These addresses
were brief and to the point, and alternated with
music by the band which was remarkably good, and
did great credit to their leader, Mr.. Merseburg.
After witnessing the interesting exercises of this
day, I could not but wish that the author of certain
articles on labor and population lately published in
of plantation hands - themselves, respecting their
treatment.
| could not also but reflect on the Importance of
retaining in this country men who not only develop
its material resources, but labor for the best interests
of the people, who can not only produce dividends
for their stockholders, but secure the respect and af-
lection Of a whole district. kAMAAINA.