The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1878-01-26

SEVERAL articles prepared for this issue are un
a~vOidably deferred-among others a communication
on the subject of Reciprocity.
PIANO Forte TUNING AND REPAIEING.-Mr j. l..
Hanchette will Gil all orders in tie above profess
sion promptly at Wliney's book store.
MATCHES FOR CoUNTEEs.--There was an alarm Of
fire on Thursday p. m. about ~half-past . o'clock.
Some natives had been playing cards in a wooden
house in the rear of Mauuakea street, the counters,
or stakes, being friction matches. Somehow, a lot
of these became Ignited and set fire to the side OF
the house. The FIRE was easily extinguished with
out the aid Of the Department, which, however, was
promptly on hand.
FIREMAA's BALI--At the coming anniversary Of
the Honolulu Fire Department, which occurs dur
ing the first week in February. We learn that it is
the purpose OF the members of Engine Company
No. !. to give a ball on an extensive scale at the
Hall Of the Armory. The necessary arrangements
to make the affair a perfect success are, we under
stand, being thoroughly perfected by an energetic
committed Of the company.
MUsIc AT TIE H~oTEL--Admiral Murray has
kindly made provision for a weekly musical en-
t%ertainment Of our citizens by directing that the
fine band OF the Pensacola shall play at the IIa-
waiian Hotel grounds every Thursday evening,
| during inc stay OF the snip III port lbt IlFl OF
these concerts took place on Thursday evening
last, from ~half-past seven till ten o'clock, and at
tracted crowds OF delighted listeners. The
grounds were lighted up with lanterns and torches.
and the scene was one Of ~fairy-like beauty. The
Admiral is entitled to the thanks Of the com
munity.
AND STILL THEY CoME.-The Grace Roberts. which
arrived from San Francisco on Wednesday last
brought 65 Chinese men. In course Of time. if
=. - -. IL. NT-.--1.--. iii l.. IL
predominant race in these islands. Last month a
bill was introduced in the United States Con-
gress to regulate Chinese immigration. whereby
it is provided that after January LIST. 1879,
a per capita tax of $3.50 shall be imposed upon
every Chinaman on entering the United States.
and upon default of payment the punishment TO be
Imprisonment at hard labor not less than five
years.
BUILDING FOR TME.-One OF the surcst signs OF
confidence. or the cOntrary.-in the future pros
peIity of a country is the way ia which men of
means build houses. Laterly. as We have had
occasion to remark before, quite a number Of
brick buildings have been erected in this city, all
Of which were for business purposes. But we
hav, low TO note the erection by Mr.. II. j. Baker,
the architect and builder, for Mr.. Henry May. of
a splendid two-stOry brick mansion on Beretania
street near Punchbowl. 1t is not yet complete.
but will well repay an examination by parties in
tending to build-especially the arrangement Of
the rooms and the verandas.
~
THEATRE To-NIGHT.-At the Royal Hawaiian this
evening a rare treat will be offered to our citizens
in the first appearance here of a celebrated Ameri.
can actor, Mr.. Charles Pope, in three scenes from
Hamlet, a recitation, and a comedy. We have
seen from time TO time some very ~datteriDg notices
of Mr.. POpe's performances in journals Of the
United States and Australia, where he has eXtcn-
sively travelled, and always elected applause and
strong commentator. We have room for but one
brief critique from the Virginia City Enterprise.
which speaks of Mr.. Pope as " the famous actor"
and says Of his performance Of - Belphegor,'
- Mr.. Pope enacted the title character aud TO eX-
cellent advantage. lie is an actor of prominence
and marked ability. possessing a fine stage APP
pearance, "a rich full voice, and discriminative
dramatic taste which exhibits itself in the correct
and natural finish OF his approximations"
MALE SOCIAL CLUB.-Among the various organi-
cations in our community intended for the social
recreation of their members. we are pleased TO
notice a new one which has just been formed.
entitled the . Maile Social Club" composed Of the
leading young gentlemen Of the city. The
Club held its first meeting for organization on
Thursday evening. January 10th and their
first party will be given at the Hawaiian Hotel
on Friday evening. February Stb. They pro-
pose to give Il series Of balls monthly. which
will, we are sure from the names Of the officers
chosen, prove recherche affairs. We wish them
every success. The following is the list Of officers /;
President, MaGIarlane.
w s"' h .H
Treasurer. 7. Poor.
The TAX ArTEAL CAsE.-Thc cases of assumpsit
for taxes paid under protest on shares in the Wal
luku Sugar Company and the Kohala Sugar Com
pany,-brought by e. Brewer & Co.. in the former
and S. \. Castle and others in the Iatter-against
G.. II. Luce, Tax Collector for Honolulu. were
argued at great length by counsel on Saturday
last. and submitted 1t is probable that a decision
will not be given by the Court before the end Of
the term, which will expire by law next Saturday.
Mr.. Dole, associated with Mr.. Castle) counsel for
c.. Brewer X Co" (and for ;. n. Castle and others
as welD in an elaborate brief, which showed great
research OF authorities, followed two lines Of ar
gument first, that the Hawaiian Statutes do not
require double taxation OF corporate property {;
aud second, that if the Court should End that such
taxation is required, the statutes imposing it are
unconstitutional As the subject is now under
advisement by the Court it would be inappropriate
for us TO discuss it. The Attorney General ap-
peared for the Tax Collector.
UNUSUAL WEATmER.-For over a month past the
winds have been from the West and Southwest.
but without rain "a most abnormal condition Of
things at this time of the year. While the nights
and mornings have been delightfully."- cool. in the
middle Of the day the sun has shone with all the
ferVency of July-day after day. the sky has been
as brass aud the earth as iron. Drought. drought.
is the complaint from all parts Of the island. Bnt-
ter has long since given out. and milk threatens to
do so, for the cattle on many ranches are reported
as dying for want Of feed. We hear similar re.
ports from the other islands, bat Oahu appears TO
has been less favored in the matter OF rain supply
than others Of the group. Meantime the supply for
the city is not diminished. which pleasant fact we
attribute to the withdrawal, some months ago, Of
the cattle from the head Of Nuuanu valley, where
by vegetation has wonderfully progressed, con
serving the water.
FOREST CULTuRE.-We beg TO direct attention to
an interesting and instructive article on this subject
which we reprint from that standard publication,
the London Lancet, on our fourth page. We propose
to continue the agitation Of this vitality important
subject until some adequate legislation is secured
for the preservation of the forests Of these islands.
In this connection we notice that an enterprising
firm of this city, Messrs. a. S. Cleghorn & Co., have