The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1893-05-15
MAUI NEWS.
GRAPHIC ACCOUNT OF THE
WAILUKU FIRE.
Annual Meeting Of the Maui Racing
Association -PersonaI Items
Social Eyents-Stray
ScrIbbliDg-.

VII Lht lOIi AASt'J
about 1I:i5 p. ~, the keeper of -
Wailuku Jail discovered the house of
the manager OF Wailuku plantation to
ne On fire. In great alarm he imme-
diately reused his neighbors, and to-
gether they rushed up the hill to the
scene of the eonfiagration. They
found the beautiful building COM
pletely wrapt in flames, and were
powerless to do aught, save to watch
its rapid destruction.
AT 1880 A. VI. everything d been
consumed; there was no pile or ruins,
every stick had been burned and there
was nothing to mark the site save a
brick chimney in the rear and the
large fireplace toward the foreground.
Even the beautiful rose bushes,
palms, lines, ferns, etc.-all were
either withered or consumed. The
only structure left standing on the
premises was q small house contain
ing the electrical apparatus. The
furniture and other household effects
belonging to the Walbridges had been
sold at auction the day before, and
upon the day of the fire had been re-
moved by the different purchasers.
Mr.. G.. Il. Wells, the new manager,
was indeed most unfortunate, for be-
sides some household goods purchased
at the sale, ne had that same day
brought some valuable paintings
from Waihee (his former residence),
and of course these were not spared by
the flames. His loss is estimated at
about 500.
At the time of the fire, the dwelling
had no inmate, Mr.. Walbridge having
vacated it several days previously, and
Mr.. Wells being about TO take up his
residence there.
1t is the general opinion on Maui
that the burning was caused by in
cendiaries, and the police authorities
are hard ut work upon the case. What
ever has been discovered by them has
not as yet been divulged, though it is
rumored they are following up certain
clews with hopes of success.
The cane field in front OF the house
caught fire, but no considerable dam
age resulted, as the flames were quick
Iy extinguished.
The whole event took place so sud-
denly and so quietly that with few
exceptions people did not know of it
till the next morning. One family
living across the street knew nothing
of it till daybreak.
The building destroyed was erected
under the careful direction OF MIR:
Walbridge only few years ago, and
was perhaps the finest modern resi-
dence on Maui. 1t was provided with
electric bells and lights from most
excellent plant, the storage batteries
being run by a water -wheel near by.
Through economical management the
building cost less than $4,000, but it
would take $4,000 to replace it. 1t is
said to have been well insured.
Public sentiment is strong In stating
hat this outrage (the incendiarism)
committed to crafty some per-
IL spite for a fanCied wrong.
on.ile it is true that incident to the
lge in managership of the planta-
Wed quite number of employees
Thur been dismissed or have volun-
sst."y left. it hardly seems possible
any of these men would commit
snn for so slight reason. 1t Is
Ne charitable to attribute 1T to acct
caused by the stump or a cigar
Homo abandoned by some of the team
of Grs during the day, or to the ignition
-ome forgotten matches by the rats
tch had taken possession OF the va
trooms.
- PERSONAL MENTION.
Mr. Sewell, late consul general to
.moa and a member OF a large firm
tshipbuilders in Maine, is visiting
~. III. Cornwell at Waikapu.
Miss Woods is guest of Mrs. X. Won
Tempsky's at Paumalei, MakawaO.
Mrs. Bartlett is having pleasant
time with her friends, Mrs. Simpson
and Miss Cunningham of Wailuku.
Mr.. and Miss Douglas are visiting
their sister Mrs. Laidlaw of Spreckels-
Vile. y.
III. III. Plemer has resigned the posi-
ton of head luna of Wailuku and has
been succeeded by J. Dow, recently
from Hawaii
Mr.. Boswell, the former engineer of
Waikiki, accepted similar position
ut Lihue, Kauai, a short time ago.
His family depart for Kauai today.
New faces are common nowadays
in Wailuku; beside the aforemen-
toned there is n new sugar-boiIer ana
q new team-boss at the plantation.
A marty composed of Mrs. &. Nj. v.
FORSTER, Misses Blanche Cornwell,
Kity Vida and Neumann, Messrs.
SeweI, r. Spreckels and Forster
viewed HaIeakaIa yesterday morning,
having spent the previous night at
the Olinda house.
Mr. -. d. Larnach is in charge of
WaiIuku store during Mr.. McLaugh-
Inns absence in Honolulu.
Mr.. Gibson, late Oh Iala StOIS, NC
parted for Honolulu per Hall yester-
Mr.. David Lindsey is acting book
keeper at Hamakuapoko during the
sickness of Mr.. Nicoll.
STRAY sCRIBBLINas.
The banjo is quite the fad in Wal
lulxu nowadays.
The Makawao Polo club expect to
play the first game of the season TINS
afternoon. ,o.,
During Saturday evening the 10th
inst. the annual meeting of Maui
Racing Association took place
at Waikiki Court House. The
new officers chosen for the ensu-
ing year are Hugh Center, president;
w. n. Cornwell, vice-president; l..
NJ. Vettlesen, reelected secretary;
aud E. Il. Carley, treasurer. After
the executive committee NJ essrs.
Hopke, Robinson and Broad, who
arrange the programme for the 4th
of July races at Kahului, had been
chosen, several speeches were made
advocating fewer events and larger
purses; the argument being that such
= course of action would increase the
$500. -, ro inCr bv brinOinp forward