The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1900-08-20
WILLIAM c. IRWIN WRITES
HAWAIIAN EXHIBIT AT PARIS
INSTALLED.
Makes a Creditable Showing in the Tro-
cadero Building-Our Commissioners
Speaks in an Encouraging strain.

The following letter was received by
Gov. Dole from Commissioner to Paris,
w. G.. Irwin:
Hotel Wagram, 2OS rue de Rivoli, Paris,
France, July 49, 1900.
HON. S. b. DOLE,
Governor of the Territory OF Hawah,
Honolulu, II. 1.
Dear Sir: l arrived in Paris about
month ago, but have refrained from
making any report to you as Hawaiian
Commissioner until the Hawaiian ex-
hibit had been properly Installed. peg
now to say that after considerable labor
we have got the exhibit in fairly good
condition, and last week it was opened
to the inspection of the public. The
installation of this exhibit at an earlier
date has been impossible on account of
delays and drawbacks over which we
had no control. owing to the congested
condition of all material arriving on
the Exposition grounds we found 1t
impossible to get our material together,
and further we also found 1t difficult
to obtain the necessary mechanics to
arrange our stalls and display the ma
terial l am happy to say, however,
that everything is now completed, ana
that we are not the last in this respect
as there are many exhibits from other
countries still awaiting installation, and
it will probably be a month before
everything will be in shape.
The Hawaiian exhibit is located in
r the right wing of the Trocadero build
ing adjoining that of Cuba and under
the able supervision of Major Potter,
makes a very credible appearance. Our
space is somewhat limited, but in view
of The fact that the amount OF material
exhibited is also limited, there is Sutfl-
cient room for our requirements. As
there seemed to be some doubt on the
part of the authorities connected with
the exposition as to the exact status
we were to occupy as compared with
other countries making EXHIBITS, IL
even being intimated that we should be
placed among colonies and dependen-
cies, l addressed a letter to Mr.. Ferdi-
nand w. Peck, the United States Com
missioner General, informing him that
1--WE never occupied the position of either
a colony or dependency, and that we
claimed the same rights accorded to
any of the territories of the United Sta
tes A copy of this letter l beg here
with to enclose. Shortly after forward
ing this letter, we were called on by
the u. S. National Commissioners, ap-
pointed by President Mckinley, and the
exhibit duly inspected by them. l took
occasion to show samples of our va
rious products, particularly that of su-
gar and to give them facts and hgures
regarding the same which seemed to
considerably interest Them We were
also called on by the Jurors on educa-
tion. who became greatly interested in
. our school system. I showed them spe-
' cimens of the handwork of the scholars
of the various schools, particularly that
from the Kamehameha school, and fur
nished them with pamphlets and data
relating to the whole system. They ex-
pressed themselves much pleased, and
intimated that our awards would be OF
first class description. l do not
think that Hawaii has lost anything
by having taken part in the exposition
of 1900, and the limited amount OF
money which will be expended on this
exhibit will be more than compensated
for by the knowledge of our country
which is being impaired to visitors. IL
fact, even such prominent people as
those composing the Commissioners o.
the United States expressed surprise a.
the wonderful developments which have
been made by the islands in their agri
cultural products and their educationa
facilities which place them on pal
with the most civilized nations of the
world / wish here to express my ap
probation of Major Potter's efforts anC
interest in the cause of the exhibit. HI
has been indefatigable in his labors
and has shown great taste in his gen
eral arrangement of our section. I'm
fortunately M. Houle has been called
out of town through domestic affairs
which has precluded his attendance a
- the Exposition to any great extent.
will take the opportunity of addressing
you from time to time as any matte
of interest arises in connection with tn
exposition
/ have the honor to be,
- Your obedient servant,
w. G.. IRWIN.