Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1901-05-16
OVER THE PACIFIC.
J. E. Nisslsy Writes Of the Trip ia
Hawaii Islands.

, For the Reflector.
HONOLULU, AprllS After six days
absence from land and everything
else save two or three lone vessels
and ever present sea gulls, one is
apt to manifest mere than ordinary
interest in catching the first glimpse
Of land, and so in company with many
Others we were up early this morning
to participate in this happy ordeal.
At six o'clock we sighted the sharp
peaks Of Ohan Island and two hours
later came in full view Of Honolulu
harbor with a goodly number Of
masts, boats, large and small and one
English man-oi-war in the foreground.
Our pilot boarded the Garlic at
e:l5 and then began the slow cautious
entrance into the dock, through
small channel surrounded by coral
reefs; it's slow process but promptly
at 6 O'Clock after being out 6 days,
10 hours and 81 minutes we were
anchored securely at the wharf.
As we were nearing the shore a
lot Of small boys ranging in age from
10 to ID years were seen swimming
toward us. 1t took only short time
to learn that they were after small
coins and 1t is surprising how grac-
iously they would dive after them
when thrown into the water, which
was at least 80 feet deep, never to
fail in their efforts. Sometimes the
whole number would dive simultane.
ously, the victorious one always
displaying the coin after he returned,
head above the water. This sport |
continued much to the pleasure Of all
the passengers, many Of whom re-
lieved themselves Of quite a lot Of
their small change even before land
ing.
To tell OF Honolulu and do 1t jus.
tice in one brief letter is out Of the
question and SO | shall touch only |
one or two phases Of this interesting |
metropolis Of the Pacifc-namely its
people and climate, to say nothing Of
its commercial interests, its relation
to the states, its possibilities and
opportunities.
| was much impressed with the
intelligence Of the natives, many Of
whom speak the English language
quite huently. The legislature
was in session in both houses, and as
this is the first session since annexa-
ton, it afforded rather rare oppor-
tunity. listened for some time to
the routine of business in the house
and aside from the fact that the
interpreter repeated every motion,
every speech and every word that
was spoken by either member on the
floor or the honorable speaker him.
self, the proceedings had much the
ring and formula Of our Kansas
house. l Judge there were about 80
members 10 the house Of which
number probably six or eight were
Americans or English speaking. The
balance were natives, quite few Of
whom spoke English however. In
the senate there we're only about 20
members with the same relative pro-
portion OF natives. A friend OF mine,
Mr.. Avery, formerly from Chicago,
is the official stenographer Of the
legislature. was informed that one
Of the important measures before the
was an appropriation. or
more properly speaking pension, Of
$3.50, 100000 for the dethroned queen.
II time and my credentials had per.
mitted should have made an ef. {
tort to have them pass resolution
Iavoling the passage in congress Of
our beloved Grant BILL" (
TO many Of the Abileneites the
name Of Geo. B. Mcclellan is familiar,
l
IS well as that Of bis estimable wife, |
formerly Miss Fisher. 1t was our :
to be in their c0zy home
Tor short time. Cozy lily expresses !
heir neat, tidy, pleasant, comfortable
little abode. 1t is quaint and novel, I
built ana arranged at q minimum
cost to secure the maximum COM q
|ort. 1t was with no small regret Q
that we could not spend more time in 9
this beautiful nook, which is only one Q
u many others seen In Honolulu. a
Mr. McClallan ia aola aalaa aOant I