The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1895-11-16
Were United States Minister and
Officers of the Bennington.
GRAND RECEPTION BY AMERICANS
Hilo Does Its PrettIeSt for It's Visitors.
Pleasant Meeting of Social Club.
Telephone Connections Nearing
Completion-SociaI KohaIa People.

HILO (Hawaii), Nov. 13.-It is
really to be regretted that Hilo visit
ors did not remain in town another
day just to see what charming weather
there is here at times. During almost
the entire stay of the L. s. s. Ben
ningtOn in port the heavens wept
copiously, and it is feared the honored
guests did not greatly enjoy their
stay in Hilo. Minister Willis and
family remained on board nearly three
days, when they came ashore in COM
pany with Captain Pigman and start
ed for the volcano. They met with
fair weather throughout the journey
and were delighted with the beauty of
the road and it's pretty hOmesteads.
They returned to Hilo on Thursday as
the guests of Mr.. and Mrs. @. K.
Wilder.
On Saturday United States Minister
and Mrs Willis, Charles FurneauX,
Z. s. Consul, and Captain Pigman of
the Z. S. S Bennington were enter
tanned at dinner at the home of Mr.
o'clock the entire party went aboard
the gunbOat to be in attendance at the
reception given by the captain and
officers of the Bennington. Although
the day was anything but auspicious
in the forenoon, it cleared up in the
afternoon, so that some forty or fifty
fair women and brave men Joined in
the reception and dance given on
board. The vessel was made very at
tractive oy the bright green and vari-
cOlOred foliage everywhere wrought
into pretty and graceful decorations.
Handsome palms set off with grace
the several hooks and corners they
occupied, and the stars and stripes
sides of the vessel. During the after
noon a most tempting feast was set
before the guests. Music for the dance
was furnished by an orchestra of ma
tive boys.
a most complimentary reception
was rendered to United States Minis
ter and Mrs. Willis, Captain Pigman
and the officers of the L. 5. S. Ben
nington on Monday evening by the
Americans of Hilo. 1t was one of the
most charming social affairs and was,
perhaps, the most largely attended
gathering held since the reception
rendered to President and Mrs. Dole
last year. After the reception, which
lasted from O'Clock until half-past 9,
dancing began. Between IL and II
O'Clock a most elaborate supper was
served. Spreckels' hall was converted
into a perfect bower of beauty for the
occasion. Striped bunting formed
border around the walls just below
the ceiling and red, white and blue
bunting formed graceful festoons from
the corners to the central chandelier.
Great clusters of ginger and bamboo
adorned three of the corners of the
room, while in the fourth corner q
stand erected for the musicians, was
most tastefully draped in flags and
decorated with green's. Pictures ap-
propriate TO the occasion occupied
prominent places on the walls and
were temporarily framed in stars and
stripes. Under one of these pictures,
at the mauka end of the hall, COM
Portable seats were charmingly ar
ranged among potted palms and ferns,
and here the guests held their recep-
tion. Mrs. Willis looked handsome
in rich gown of black and white
striped silk, trimmed with ribbons
and elegant lace. The waist was of
plain silk cut decollete and trimmed
with pink roses. Judge and Mrs. ;.
II
Kennedy assisted in receiving.
Owing to 8 most unfortunate accl-
dent, in which Mrs. Willis sprained
her foot while descending into boat
from the Bennington on Saturday,
she was obliged to be carried TO and
from the reception hall, and was un-
able to stand upon the injured mem
Der. At fist it was thought that the
sprain was quite serious, but as she
improved rapidly, it is to be hoped
she has entirely recovered by this
time.
The parlors of the Foreign Church
were thrown open to all on last Tues
day evening, and many availed them
selves of an opportunity to spend an
evening most pleasurably at the
church social. Mrs. II. c. Austin
sang a solo in her usual happy style
and quartet of ladies composed of
Mrs. Baldwin, Mrs. Austin, Miss
Richardson and Miss Austin rendered
q vocal selection in the most artistic
and charming manner. Miss Deyo
read a selection to which all of her
listeners gave the most wrapt atten-
ton, and Mr.. Tougher gave vocal
solo that greatly pleased his hearers.
The bi-weekly meeting OF the HlIo
Social Club occurred at the home of
Mr.. and Mrs. e. E. Richards under