The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1885-06-27
The King SerenadeS the
YamashirO Maru.
Appreciation of the Royal Compli-
ment by Those on Board.
Participation Of His NGaIesty's Minis
tiers in she AFFAIR.

1
the passengers and crew of the quaran tined
japanese steamer Yamsshiro Maru last
evening, through the thoughtfulness of His
Majesty the King and his responsible Min
| listers. 1t was felt that something should
be done to relieve the tedium of those on
! board, and as direct communication with
the ship was out of the question, the idea of
a moonlight serenade by the Royal Hawaiian
Band suggested itself. Arrangements to
| that effect were made, and at hah-past
seven o. clock last evening the Government
| tug Eleu cast off from the Pacific Mail Com
| pany's wharf with the band ON board, and
proceeded towards the steamer, which was
at the quarantine anchorage outside the reef.
The band struck up the national anthem,
and played during the run out. ~
| The royal party included, among others,
His Majesty the King; His Excellency Wal
ter IL. Gibson, Foreign Minister His Ex-
cellency Paul Neumann, Attorney General
His Excellency c. T. Gulick, Minister of
the Interior Mr.. Nakamura, Japanese
Counsel; DIR. E. Cooke Webb, and Messrs.
R. J. Creighton, editor ADVERTISER, Smith,
Superintendent of Public Works, and sew
eral native gentlemen.
! The tug steamed around the Yamashiro
Maru several times, the band playing lively
airs, when the ship was hailed and requested
to send off boat. This was dope, and Cap
tain Collier Mr.. Irwin, H. H. Ms Charge
d'Afaires for Japan, and His Excellency K.
Inonye, Japanese Commissioner, came of
from the steamer. Various delicacies were
put on board the boat for the qusrantined
ladies and gentlemen. His Majesty the
King sent two beautiful bouquets, and His
Excellency Mr.. Gibson sent several superb
bulbs of the night towering iris to Mrs.
Inonye, wife of the Japanese Commissioner.
Mutual compliments having been passed,
the boat pulled off to the steamer, and the
band played the Japanese national anthem,
which was acknowledged by rounds of
cheers from the ship. The Eleu kept
circIing around the Yamashiro Maru up to
half-past nine O'Clock, playing variety of
airs, which. the passengers and crew
of the quarantined steamer acknowledged
in variety of ways, the more pleasing, per-
haps, because the most gratifying to them
| selves, being succession of dances ON the
quarterback to the music of the band.
! During the evening boat came of from
the steamer, having ON board two of the
quaran tined ladies, who expressed, with the
tact and delicacy of high breeding, their
high appreciation of the compliment which
the King had personally paid them. A boat
also came off from the shore to enjoy the
serenade, having ON board Major Puryis,
Vice Cham berlain, aud party OF ladies.
No more suitable time could have been
chosen for this marine serenade. The night
was simply perfect. There was not ripple
on the surface Of the water, which glistened
like field of FURNISHED silver under the
light of full moon. Panchbowl and Dia-
mond Head stood out clean cut in the
moonlight without a shadow. A streak of
foam alone marked the line of reef which
serves as breakWater to the harbor, while
away in the distance were the lights of the
city and the quarantine station, where the
! Storage passengers by the Yamashiro Maru
are at present domiciled. Sails dotted the
ofing, and now and again taut coasting
schooner sailed past and made the harbor,
while the steamer James Dowsett saluted,
in passing inwards, to the utmost capacity
of its steam whistle.
serenade The echo was so perfect that the
music played on board the Eleu repeated
itself, note for note, on the Yamashiro Maru.
1t was as if band were board the
steamer following the music played by the
Royal Hawaiian band.
There was great deal of sentiment about
the whole affair, which was successful as
it was refined and impressive. But there is
one little touch of sentiment which should
not be overlooked, for it is as pathetic as it
i is beautiful. The inmates of the Branch
Leper Hospital having been told that the
King would go out and serenade the quaran-
/ tined steamer, expressed their admiration at
! his thoughtfulness in their own demonstra
/ tive way. But shade of sadness came over
! these unfortunates when they thought of
! their own hopeless condition. The quaran-
/ tine restrictions would be removed from the
steamer in a few days at most, but their
| quarantine would last for life. The Presi-
dent of the Board of Health, who perceived
their sorrow, assured them that they would
not be forgotten, and in going out and re-
turning the sweet, melodious strains of
g Home, Sweet Home" were rendered by
the band for their qualification. Thus it
happened that the monotomy of quarantine
to the stranger at our gates was removed,
while the heart misery of those within them,
to whom hope never comes, was assuaged
somewhat by the food of harmony from the
Royal Hawaiian Band.
The Yamashro Maru burned blue lights
and discharged sky rockets during the even
ing. Everyone on board the vessel seemed
to be alive to the Importance of the occasion,
aud to fully appreciate the thoughtful con-
descension of His Majesty. The bright
moonlight detracted somewhat from the
effect of the steamers fireworks, but there
could be no mistake about the intent
When the vessels parted company, the
alohas' oil both sides were loud and
hearty. There was not hitch in the entire
proceedings, and His Majesty expressed to
His excelIency Mr.. Gulick, before leaving
the EIeu, his entire satisfaction with the
arrangements.