The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1875-02-06

MANY OF OUR READERS will remember to have
heard in other days and in other lands of the
wonderful process of finding subterranean springs
Of water through the agency of a clip of peach
tree, held in the hand; and have doubtless
laughed at it as one Of those tales of
NatrOus, who toss the cup. aud see
The grounds Of fate in grounds Of tea J"
But a gentleman of unquestioned veracity re-
Gently related to a circle Of hearers in this city a
circumstance that happened to him not long
since, on one of these islands, which must give
US pause" before We pronounce the peaeh-tree
plan a lallacy. He was DESTROYS of making a well
ON his place, and dug in various localities to con-
siderable depths without finding water. Some
one recommended the peach-tree expedient, which
consists of holding loosely in the hand a freshly
cut twig, when, walking slowly over the field, the
presence Of water beneath the surface (saith the
legeud) will be indicated by the butt end of the
twig dipping towards the ground. The gentle
man, who has nothing of the Oyer-credulous or
superstItious in his composition, was however
prevailed on to allow the experiment TO be made.
The result was, that on repeatedly passing across
the field in the manner indicated, the peach-twig
invariably dipped very perceptibly at O@e particu-
lar spot, and on digging there to a moderate
depth, a superabundance of water was found !
Coming as it does, so well authenticated, this
fact is worthy of being placed on record.
The JANUARY TERN Of the Supreme Court of
Law and Equity was adjourned sine die on Satur-
day last. Some twenty cases have been heard
and adjudicated during the term, besides a large
amount Of banco and chamber work done by
JrstfoaE Harris and .Tnd1 We have omitted IN
report the cases in full, as not being of special
interest to the public although when decisions
are rendered in winch important points OF law or
practice are decided. we should be very happy to
print them in these columns for general in
formation, when furnished us by their Honors the
Judges for that purpose. But the quasi-ofheial
character of the Gazette appears to afford the
reason that all such decisions are sent to that
Journal for publication.
In the ease of Kepio, (who was acquitted by
the jury on a charge Of murder, as we reported
last week. Judge Harris, addressing Messrs.
Dole and Green, who had been Counsel for the
accused, said
Gentlemen 1 think it proper to express to you
my appreciation Of the industry, fidelity and ability
which you have manifested in the defense of your
client in this trial. You have undertaken he defense
by the order Of the Court, and this public mark Of
my appreciation Of your efforts is but a small reward,
yet it is oil that 1 have to give. And l hope that
your fidelity in this matter may be rewarded by an
increase in your business which may remunerate you.
of course. the verdict Of acquittal is the indication
Of the efficacy Of your defense. There may be, and
are. different opinions Of the ~prOpriety of the verdict,
but there can be no two opinions Of the zeal and tact
manifested by you in the Defense"