The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1872-05-08
CORRESPONDENCE.

YOKOHAMA, March 25th, 1872
/ Ono of the most pleasing evidences of the ad.
vancement in civilization of the japanese, is pro.
jected Exhibition to be held at Kioto on the 18th
of April which is to remain open for 50 DAYS. The
The Imperial City Of Kioto has greatly degenerated
since the removal of the Court to Tokei, Yedol,
and the Government is now endeavoriug to revive
prosperity by paironizing an exposition of native
and foreign products. The Emperor has already
presents 10 the people, and foreigners are in.
vited TO forward exhibits, aud will be allowed free
admission TO the Exhibition. 1t is almost needless
to say that this opportunity Of visiting the ancient
capital will be gladly embraced BY many On this
occasion articles will be selected for sending to the
Universal Exhibition to be held at Vienna next year
Two small exhibitions Of industry and art have re-
Gently passed Of successfully at Yedo and a number
OF smaller displays are announced for the latter
place and Dwarf, etc. Foreigners at Yokohama,
too, making preparations for an animal, bird and
flower show at the Public Gardens on the Srd of
April, which, it is anticipated, will prove success
This is indeed season OF exhibitions iu Japan, and
it is expected that this departure of the Japa-
ncse will result advautageously TO themselves and
10 foreigners.
Last seasons unusually heavy crop has given a
large surplus OF rice and the native Government
selling at auction, by written proposals, limited
quantities, and are also shipping cargoes to Hong
kong for private sale. 1t may be mentioned that
this expectation is contrary TO the terms ofthe Con-
venton OF 1866, which prohibits the expectation of
cereals and it is therefore justly claimed that if the
japanese Government export at all, the prohibition
should be removed altogether. During the two
preceding years it is estimated that about two mil
lion pculs Of rice imported into this country
by foreign enterprise, thereby saving the people
from inevitable distress which the poorness of their
own crops would have caused; and it is but reason
able to expect that free expectation would be per-
mitted now that there is large surplus instead of
the Government violating the treaty TO suit their
own interests.
II was alleged sometime since that the persecu-
ton Of Japanese Christians had been renewed, but
there is now good reason for doubling the truth of
this statement Fair progress has been made TO.
ward completing The railroad between here and
Yedo. Engines are occasionally seen running along
the line, and portion OF it will be thrown open
public traffic 10 a week or two. Several daimios
who became involved in pecuniary difficulties by
mourning the expenses Of purchasing and maintain
ing costly Steamers etc, have made these Eek
peusive toys to the Government, which accepts the
responsibility Of paying their debts. Inomoto,
though released from prison, is required 10 couGne
himself to private life, and Tokugawa Keiki uhe
ex-Tycoou) has been appointed TO the fourth rank
of public officials. Restrictions upon trade between
Ycdo and Niphon have been removed. No reliable
census of Yedo has hitherto been prepared-tbe
Government has now ordered correct one to be
taken.
During the past week two fires have occurred in
Yokohama. The first was not serious, merely de-
sroying tue out-houses Of residence the Bluff;
but the second reduced TO ruins several buildings,
occupied chiefly by Cinnamon. This confagration
at one time threatened the safety OF large extent
of premises, but the prompttude with which the
steam engine, the Yokohama Fire Brigade engines,
and several Others belonging to japanese, were
brought TO the scene of the fire and the efficient
manner in which they were handled, soon stopped
the progress of the flames. Yokohama may now
boast of a strong and effective Fire Brigade and is
quite rich in fire engines, the Japandse Government
having lately imported quite number 1t may be
remembered that nearly the whole of the Yoshiwam
"a portion of the native town set apart for prosti-
tutes) was reduced 10 ashes on the 10th December
last, on the occasion Of which shocking calamity
about so girls perished-mostly by drowning, as
their escape from the mass oil burning houses was
cut of by surrounding canals, and to avert a horri-
bic death by fire, they preciptated themselves into
the water This the largest fire since the terri
biz confagration of 1866 when The destroying ele-
ment reveled in fendish fury amongst the doomed
homes of the settlers, shooting its scorchnC brands
high above their heads and all around, iu powerful
defiance, and reducing almost everything to ashes or
blackened debris
An unusually severe winter has given place to
tolerably mild spring. Very genial weather has oc-
OCCASIONALLY prevailed, and rain has been sufficiently
frequent, several severe shocks of earthquake have
recently been felt in Yokohama and Yedo, as also at
Hogo.
A japanese detected in .fagrduts delicto with au-
others WIFE has been doomed to a fate which will
effectually prevent repetition of the offence.
One little sign of the progress of Japan is the es-
tablshment of a shoe factory at Yedo. Wooden
shoes viii possibly be rarity in Japan few years
hence and popular song be heard to the effect that
there's nothing like leather" after all.
school for the education of young girls has been
established in Yvdo. Delightful opportunity for
young foreigners. Schools for teaching the young
native "ideas how TO shoot seem, indeed, TO be
increasing almost daily, many foreigners having
started private establishments of their own.
COMMERCIAL.