The Independent. [volume] (Honolulu, H.I.) 1895-1905, 1898-11-28
OUR HILo LETTER.

tlon-The Wages of the Colum-
bias rew-Thanksgiving Dav.
The soldiers returned to Hilo on
Monday last from the Volcano,
having had very pleasant trip, for
all enjoyed themselves in spite Of
the heavy rain which continued
during the first and second days
march.
On Thanksgiving day they were
entertained by Mr.. G. G. Kennedy
OF Waiakea Mill, who treated them
to luau on quite large scale.
After the luau, the tables were re-
moved, and those who cared to
dance did so; the regimental band
furnishing the music. The volun-
teers leave Hilo to-day, much to
their regret, yet they will retain a
vivid remembrance Of the town for
many years.
The unfortunate steamer City OF
Columbia is in hot water again.
The ships company is clamouring
for wages but cannot get any, and
talk OF libelling the ship. The cap
tain, who is popular with his men,
is doing his best to keep them quiet
by assuring them that all will be
arranged satisfact in the near
future.
Under the auspices OF the Cham
Der of Commerce of Hilo, an Agri-
cultural Exhibition of Hawaii's pro-
ducts is being held in Hlo. Mr., G.
f. Msydwell and Mr. R. T. Forrest
are in charge Of the exhibition,
Judge G. X. Wilder is also giving
some Of his spare time in assisting
them. 1t is indeed astonishing to
see the many fine specimens of fruits,
vegetables and other articles that
are on exhibition, considering the
fact that the exhibitors had but a
few days notice. Over 200 persons
responded to the request Of the
Chamber OF Commerce and their ex-
hibits make very fine showing
There are sixteen or twenty differ
ent kinds OF sugar. cane, and eight or
ten varieties of bananas. A fine
healthy tea tree is sent by r. 7,
Forrest, which attracts considerable
attention especially since it is in
blossom. He has also Washington
Navel orange tree simply loaded
down with fine large fruits, eighty
five to the box. From Olaa we see
great variety OF vegetables Of
phenomenal size; sweet potatoes,
cauliflower, corn, several varieties
OF pumpkins and six different kinds
Of squash, a number Of different
species Of fodder grasses, powdered
arrow root and topaca, large beets,
and the fruit of the tomato. tree.
From Kaiwiki, James Glib sends a
very fine and extensive collection OF
fruits and vegetables, the cabbages
and Irish potatoes attracted the
most attention. He has also very
fine coffee tree full of berries, SO also
has Mr.. F. l.. Winter, whose tree al.
though but three years old is simply
laden with fine large berries. Mr.
Rycroft sends sample Of his lines
grown in Puma, which will compare
very favorably with any lines grown
in other parts of the world. The
Kinau brought exhibits from Hama
kua and Waimea. Wilmot Vreden
berg has fine showing OF rhubarb
celery and other vegetables. Mis-
Lyons and Mr.. Paul Jarrett have
sent sweet potatoes, Irish potatoes
and other vegetables as we'll al
fruits, which are just as large al
those grown in the Hilo District
Mr.. v Holmes of Honokaa, among
other things has sent some apples
which we're grown on his land
These are the only samples of Ha
waian apples. From all districts
are samples of coffee.
Besides the many varieties of fruit
which are on exhibition there are