The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1886-06-01

ception his name had met with, and in
conclusion would call upon the Minister
Resident of the United States to make
few remarks
His Excellency Mr.. Merrill said the call
to speak was unexpected. However, he
could not help making j remark upon the
occasion that had called them together. as
illustrating the advance which this country
had made in civilization in the last twenty
years. Within that period they had risen
from canoes and schooners, in which yoy-
ages were taken to the other Islands, 70
steamships flying the Hawaiian fas
which were capable Of carrying the trade
OF the Pacific, connecting the Pacific Coast
Of America with Australia, and stopping
on the way to serve this, by no means in
significant Hawaiian Kingdom. He hoped
they would continue their progressive eff
forts, and that they would borrow from
his own country from England or any other
Power, all the agencies of progress in art
and science and 50 ensure development of
the Hawaiian Kingdom, TO whose success
he asked them TO drink in bumpers.
(Cheers)
Hon. 5. G.. Wilder, in response to call,
delivered an interesting speech, in which
he reviewed the history of steamboating in
this Kingdom, with which he had been
identified from the beginning. He had
one remark, however, TO make to the No
bies and Representatives present, that
they should change the present law, which
compelled steamship Captains to carry the
interisland mail free and obliterate the
stamps. That was well enough when the
mail was carried i'll the Captain hat and
deposited in a candle box on the steps of
Honolulu Hale. but it was very different
when the mail aggregated four or five tons
a week. Let the Government pay for work
done for the public. whether i'll the carriage
of interisland mails or foreign mails or in
developing the trade and commerce of the
country. The Oceanic Company was en-
titled to their subsidy. He believed in
subsidies, which was simply another word
for fair pay for valuable services rendered.
Mr.. John p. Dare, in a few neat remarks.
proposed the health of the ladies.
Mr.. VIM. G. Irwin, agent of the Oceanic
Steamship Company, was called upon
and said that he had pleasure in
thanking His Majesty and the dis
tinguished company of ladies and
gentlemen for their attendance. The occa-
sion of this informal gathering was to cele-
brate an important event, not only in
the history of the Oceanic Steamship Com
pany but also in the history of the Hawa-
iian Kingdom, as in the last month there
had been added to the Hawaiian mercan-
tile marine this fine vessel and her sister
ship, the Zealandia. When they remem-
bered that only few years ago the only
steamers floating the Hawaiian flag were
the old Kilauea Hou and the harbor fri
gate Pele, he thought His Majesty's Gov
eminent and the country were to be con-
graduated upon the acquisition of such
fine steamers as these. He must say, how
ever, in his capacity of agent, that it was
pretty difficult matter to please the aver
age passenger by steamers. One of the last
men who came in to take passage wanted
the steamer detained twenty-four hours to
suit his convenience, and so generally had
this spirit been diffused among the travelling
public, that to meet its requirements he
had suggested that when the company was
building new steamers they should have
no ordinary cabins, but should all be fitted
up with bridal state apartments and direc-
tors rooms. (CheerS and laughter.)
The health of the Hon ]. S. Walker was
drunk and responded to. and after some
further social intercourse the company
rose and sought the cool air on the hurri-
cane deck. The guests soon after took
their leave, highly pleased with their en-
tertainment and the appointments and APP
pearance of the noble ship.