The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1901-08-15
THE COURT IS SURPRISED
STRANGE TESTIMONY ABOUT
FIRE LOSSES.
Claimants Who Cherfully Swear to
Very Queer Statements-Mrs. Pala's
Elaborate Lingerie.

The Court of Fire Claims Is taking
up the claims of Hawaiians now and
is listening to some of the most remark
able testimony ever given in court
of any kind. Judging by the claims
there was general movement to stock
up with household goods and personal
effects just before the fire. Some of
the claimants have lapses of memory
that almost daze the judges.
IF you don't believe me look at the
,Coat-I've got it on" said one witness
endeavoring to convince the court that
a coat he had lost in the fire had cost
$25. He put in a claim for the coat, de-
claring he had paid $25 for it. Under
cross-eXamination he suddenly invited
the startled members of the court to
examine the lost coat, as he was wear
ing it, This claimant holds the record
so far.
This morning gKawanaumaikai told the
court about his losses of $3.50 in build
ing on Hotel street. He had had quite
a stock of effects and clothes, it ap-
peared. There were so yards of lace,
A sheets, 16 pillow cases, 3 pairs of new
shoes, a bureau and many other things
which showed that KaWanaumaikai
had been living very comfortably until
the big fire swept his home away.
what did you do with so yards of
lace?" asked Macfarlane, chairman of
the court.
Kawanaumaikai said he used it for
trimmings on his bed, for pillow cases,
curtains, etc. The court has found that
lace was very popular amon~ those
who were burned out. 1t seems from
the testimony that everyone in China
town was sleeping between lace trim
med shets, resting his or her head on
fancy pillow and enjoying the possess
sion of an elaborate wardrobe.
Oh tbpco nil naG 9'' n SlS-
ed Macfarlane. Sixteen pillow cases,
$14. What were they made OFF,
The witness said they were linen and
that he had bought the linen himself,
to make. 1t took 16 yards of linen
and he paid 25 cents a yard for it.
"There must be some mistake" said
Macfarlane thoughtfully. Sixteen
yards at 25 cents is four dollars. This
claim is for $14."
Kawanaumaikai smiled good-natur-
edly with his audience and said that he
thought after all that $4 was the right
figure. Then he turned his attention
to a "bureu" listed at $1S He was ask
ed to tell what kind of wood it was
made Of He said it was like the desk
Interpreter Crawford was using.
Three new pairs of shoes &c." said
Macfarlane What were they like
like those you have on?"
The witness had on pair that looked
like so cents and he glanced at them
and hastily said mo" 1t appeared
later that the newest of the three pairs
was year old.
Another case that livened the sessions
of the court was that of Lahapa Pa
lai, who lost an extraordinary amount
of clothing. She appeared to have been
laying in articles of dress for long
time before the fire, and to have made
a speciality of lingerie
The court was compelled to ask some
deeply embarrassing questions Judge
Testa was observed to blush and turr
his head away and Judge Kepoikal
fixed his eyes on paper wei1ht and
refused to look up. The nature ano
value of various unmentionables were
discussed and records of the evidence
was duly made. 1t appeared that Pa
lai had paid great attention tn fash
ions in lingerie. and her loss in TINS
line was very extensive.
She carefully made up list OF the
mysterious garments that were reduced
to ashes and thesAembers of the cour'
will have to- decide what her loss was
1t is regarded as a difficult problem bu
the iudPes will not shirk their duty.