The Pacific commercial advertiser., 1897-05-20
ON THE CRUISER
Captain KurOOka Of the NaniVa
Receives CHESTS.
SOCIETY INvADES THE PRECINCT
Greatest of Naval Society
Events in Harbor.
Decorations Unsurpassed - Dam
ity of the Japanese.

Never was a prettier function given
aboard the Japanese man-of-war ma
niwa" last night. It was pleasure
even to be near the Japanese man-of-
war. to say nothing of being aboard.
The japanese intended TO show their
guests a good time and they surely
did, for not one was there who left
the Naniwa last night, who did not
sing praise to that man-of-war, and
the hospitality of her Captain and
officers.
At eight o'clock the guests began to
arrive aboard the "Naniwa'' to be pres
ent at Captain KurOoka's reception
and not until $3.50 o'clock did they stop
coming, when they did, there were
over two hundred people aboard
The Hawaiian band was aboard and
soon after s o'clock, music struck up
for the dance in which nearly all in
dulged. Those who did not had re
course to the cool spots on the decks,
most comfortably arranged by the ia
panese.
Arriving aboard the ''Naniwa," the
guests were received by Japanese
Minister Resident Shimamura and
Mrs. Shimamura who introduced them
10 the Captain and officers of the man
of-war. Then they were free to wan
der all over the ship and to dance if
they so chose.
To say that the decorations were
beautiful would be putting it mildly.
They were distinctly Japanese and
were done by the officers and men of
the ''Naniwa'' who take pride in their
ability to decorate their ship.
The upper deckwas perfect marvel
Not only decorations met the eye, but
little attractions calculated to claim
ones attention for more than a pass
ing moment.
There were a few real flowers but
the larger part were of paper. All
along near the stern were beds of pa
per chrysanthemums- yellow,
white and lavendar, while cherry bios
SONS in profusion, were hanging about
wherever a stray crack happened to
present itself.
Then just about midship was an at
traction that held the attention of
every one who happened to pass by
On a strip of cloth which formed what
would be called in the United States
a Campaign lantern" was painted a
lot of morning glories and behind this
were revolving lights which showed
welcome" and aloha" as we'll as the
Japanese word conveying the same
meaning. This continual motion Of
the lights within gave all of the guests
the opportunity of seeing what the
Japanese meant should be the prevail
ing sentiment. Just above this was q
slice of large water melon, so natural
that several of the young ladies at
tempted but vainly, to pluck the seeds
therefrOm.
Then astern was another bit of de-
cOration that was most pleasing, sim
ply a string of laterns extending
around and pennants and flags strung
in just the proper proportion to
heighten the effect Here and there a
willow branch and invariably a chair
Cor a couple behind it) completed a
most charming effect At no time dur
ing the evening was this place astern
unoccupied.
over the whole deck was perfect
canopy of flags of all nations and the
wind causing them to flutter about.
added much to the scene.
Below it was a matter of perfection
of decoration just as above. Farthest
forward were the two dining rooms
whore dPIicapiaS of oil binds awaited
whOmsoever cared to partake. The
tables were decorated in the Japanese
style with small flags-Japanese and