The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1900-05-16
ALOHA TO THE AUSTRALIA
A GREAT SEND OFF FOR THE
STEAMER.
Crowd of People Give Her an Old
Time Send off.

Farewells spoken to the tune of AUD
Lang Syne" and Aloha Oe," with now
and then a brief interval of something
| like a Hot Time in the Old Town To-
night" as if to give the sorrowful ones
chance to dry the handkerchiefs they
had wetted with parting tears, leis by
the hundred, and crowd that filled the
Oceanic wharf from the gate to where
the stern of the Mauna Loa doomed up
close to the aft end of the Australia,
were the features of the farewell to
Hawaii's favorite steamer yesterday
afternoon. 1t was the first time for
five months that the people of Honolulu
have had a chance to turn out and give
the customary send off to the Australia,
with flowers and music, unrestricted as
before the gloom of quarantine put the
whole water front into sort of mourn
ing, and Honolulu made the most of the
occasion.
In anticipation of the gathering of an
| immense crowd the steamship company
| having business must go on board the
steamer, and all who came to see
| friends or relatives leave, or to watch
the steamer go, had to stay on the
wharf. The lei womenNdid days bust
ness that ought to partially compensate
! them for the losses they have sustain
ed while the doctors have so strictly
| tabooed the possibly bug-laden rings of
| flowers with which it is Hawaii's beau
tiful custom to add emphasis to parting
alohas.
Captain Berger had an exceptional OPP
portunity and he made the most of it,
with a program splendidly given,
and was more than interesting in its
effects upon those present. The "Geor-
gia Campmeeting" made them almost
forget good-b yes, and then "Auld Lang
Syne" brought out the handkerchiefs
Everyone on the steamer had leis In
| such quantities that the Australia was
brilliant with colors. There were peo-
pie crying and people laughing, and
some who didn't care. One small boy
whose stature was about half way W
to the steamers rail, stood and made
a wry face that caused general laugh
ter. He had wanted to go to Sar
Francisco very badly, but when the
steamer began to move and he saw
papa left behind on the dock, he set VI
the best wall he knew about, and stool
before the crowd with a face that wal
all contortions and tears.
At just about four the steamer begaI
to leave the wharf. Captain Berger
again gave the solemn Scottish tun'
to auld acquaintance, and those WHIT
had tears shed them abundantly til
there was a sudden switch to "There1
Be a Hot Time in the Old Town To
night" This was followed by the beau
tiful strains of "Aloho Oe." Then tn
Star Spangled Banner" and America
were given while the crowded steame
was slowly bringing her bow aroun'
to point towards the channel. Many o
the crowd stayed until she had steame
out of sight. and then went to otne
wharves along the front to get anothe
last look at her. with the lei-burdene
assemblage on deck. before she droppe
the pilot end plowed her way aroun
] Diamond Head
1t was a great farewell. II hope tn
custom will not die out, said one of tn
spectators, but am afraid that unde
/ American influences the day is comm
when Honolulu win be too commerce.
for such pretty customs"