The Hawaiian gazette., 1875-03-03
The Kings Ball.

The Kings Ball.
The ball given by His Majesty at the new
Parliament building, on the evening of Friday
the 26th of February, to Admiral Almy, tht
Captains and officers of the four naval vessels
lying in port, and the citizens of the place
came off with more than usual ecl1t, being the
grandest and most comprehensive affair of the
the kind that Honolulu has ever witnessed
the building affording ample room for the very
numerous assemblage gathered together fol
the occasion, and the provision made being
lavish of comfort and entertainment in every
particular. There could not have been fewer
than one thousand persons present, of whom
at least four hundred were ladies, which is by
far the largest number that have ever assem-
bled on any similar occasion in Honolulu.
THE BUILDING.
The fine edifce known as ALIIoLANI HOUSE,
in which the entertainment was held, was
completed shortly after the election of King
Kalakaua. 1t was begun during the last year
of the reign of Kamehameha v, and was some
two years in process of erection. The corner
stone was laid by the latter monarch with ma
sonic honors, and the structure is made entire
ly of concrete stone, with the exception of the
floors and internal fittings, which are chaste,
beautiful and substantial The building was
made after plan drawn by Mr. Rose, an archi-
tect of Sydney, adapted by Mr.. R. Stirling,
and built under the supervision of Mr.. Leisch-
man, superintendent of public works, at a cost
of about $4,000. 1t is two-story edifce,
occupying a most eligible site opposite the
palace enclosure, the grounds surrounding it
being several acres in area and neatly laid out.
A fine quadrangular clock-tower, rising in
fair proportions to the general structure, adds
much to the architectural contour and enhan-
ces the view from whatever quarter presented.
Through the upper story and ground floor are
roomy halls, intersecting in the centre at right
angles, which afford access to the numerous
and capacious rooms arranged along their
sides.
THE RECEPTION ROOM.
The largest room in this fine building, stu
ated at the southeast end on the ground floor,
is the Legislative Hall, its dimensions being
about one hundred and twenty feet in length
by forty feet in breadth. Upon the occasion it
was tastily bedecked with evergreens, ferns
and flowers, and brilliantly Illuminated by
chandeliers. Flags were entirely omitted in
the decorations of the room and halls, the only
flag used being the royal standard displayed
over the supper tables. The effect of ever
green decorations was very charming and APP
propriate to the place and occasion. This
room was set apart for the reception and dane
ing. The walls were hung with portraits of
the most distinguished Chiefs and Sovereigns
of the land, from the time of Kamehameha
l., to that of the present Here, wreathed and
in elegant style, were the pictures
of Kings Kalakaua, Lunalilo (taken when a
lad, and the five Kamehamehas; also those
of Queens Kamamalu, Kekauluohi and Kala-
ma. The portrait Of King Kalakaua is full
size retouched photograph taken by Bradley &
Ruloffson of San Francisco, and was present
to the King by W. G. Ralston, Esq, having
cost, as we are informed, four hundred and
fifty dollars. Altogether it is beautiful piece
Of art-work, comparing favOrably with the
best American and French specimens of pho
besides being an excellent likeness.
At the mauka or east end of the room, under
the appropriate escutcheon of royalty adorned
with evergreens and rich bOquets, and upon
rising platform arranged for the occasion, were
seated His Majesty the King, Her Majesty the
Queen, Princess Liliu Dominis and Princess
Likelike Cleghorp, occupying the right, and
q. R. Highness Prince Leleiohoku and H. R.
Highness Ruth Keelikolani the left. Thus
the King and Queen received the |
individual salutations of their guests, occupy
ing the time in this until after nine, when the
of dancing were initiated with
royal qundrille by the distinguished person
ages, as follows:
His Majesty the King and Madame Ballieu;
Admiral Almy and Hon. Mrs. Bishop;
His Elk. h. A. PIERCE, American Minister
Resident, and Her Majesty the Queen;
Mons. Balieu, French Commissioner, and |
Princess Liliu Dominis;
H.R. d. Prince Leleiohoku and Mrs. W. L.
Green;
Major WodehOuse, Il. B. NJ. Commissioner,
ind Princess Likelike Cleghon;
Capt Gherardi, U.S.N., and Mrs. Col. W. F.
Allen;
Capt. Arson, R.N., and Mrs. Peter G. Jones
Capt Van Der Meulen, R.N., and Miss En-
ly Boyd; ]