The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1902-05-06

and beautifully by Mrs. j. T. McDon
aid. the violin accompaniments by ]. II
ANIME and piano hy Miss 4. Nj. Whit
ney.
In presenting =. NJ. John Adair Has
: singer, who made the historical ad
dress OF the evening. Worshipful Mas
! tec Whitney said II gave him grea
pleasure to introduce one who had beer
a prominent Mason for many Years and
/ who. next To- Z. NJ. Allen. was the old
est member OF the lodge. Twice. h,
said. Mr.. Hassiuger had been called
upon to all the chair as master. NJ
Hassinger said:
MIR HASSING ER'S ADDRESS.
worshipful Master. Ladies'. Brethren:
Historical "reminiscences, save to those
who may have special interest il the line
of history under review. are generally de-
void OF interest. and nay only encourage
ment on this occasion. lies in the fact that
Free Crnasons are inclined to n fondness
fcr amy ancient history long as IL
may include some legend Of the order
and they are diligent students when op-
portunity permits them to trace Masonic
history TO days long gone by, provided
the dates and occurrences may seem to
Dc authentic.
II you VIII bear with me. ] will en-
dCavoT to tighten the burden upon your
patience. by avoiding rs much as possi-
bile OF dry detail in my attempt to
make this outline OF Masonic history in
Hawaii n connected recital. 1t viii be nee
Cssary To ", ave in some threads of local
surroundings. in those days when the
banner OF the Compass and Square"
closely following the standard Of Chris
tianity. was planted in these Mid-Pacific
Islands
Permit me To draw aside the misty cur
tsln covering some sixty years OF the
Honolulu rs II appeared about the year
lSf1
The village or town consisted OF scat
tered groups Of habltations. chiefly the
native grass house. mingled here and
there with adobe buildings after the
Spanish style. few buildings OF hewn
coral stone and a gradually increasing
number or wooden residences, built most
- OF lumber brought around Cape Horn.
some Of the buildings having been already
framed before shipment Porches. YER
andns and the cool lanai adjunct were
much In evidence as n protection from
the scorching rays OF the sun at high
InC ridian. Except during the rainy sea
son the soil was parched and dry The
plain upon which the town stood was
hare OF either trees or shrubbery To re
iieve the eve or cool the air. In the dis
mountain closing in the plateau of the
upper Nuuanu valley. Across their sum
rnits. swept masses OF cloud which broke
ard fcll In rnist-like showers. feeding the
upland streams and nourishing terrace
upon terrace q. kalo plantations.
But the rain was mostly dissipated by
the hot air OF the lower levels long be
fore "a reached the precincts OF the town
Itself Old Punchbowl crater. parched-
grim and forhsdding. loomed a silent land
frarx above the scattered village. \ few
auwlis or irrigatlng bitches cnticed wav-
ering rivuiets IS far down In places IS
the present line OF School street. form
ing the only green spots that. oasis like.
bordered the inland boundary Of the
town.
and even then II was considered that
RI pid strides had been and Were being
made In che matter Of public improve
ment To quote the words Of local writ
fr At the time: Every years develop
rleufs AFFORD additional evidence that the
Sandwich Islands are acquiring grow
ing Importance among the nations OF the
arth. while the influence Of trade decid- |
rdiy tends 20 make this town the center
n commercial interest. To those VINO !
have visited Honolulu five or ten years
ESQ., the rouid changes which have taken
place are the most common topic OF re-
mark. May those who shall sketch the
PROGRESS % Advancement and describe the
future of this rising town. be enabled TO
sneak OF "a rs stsll advancing In every
thing which is honorable. praiseworthy
and becoming a civilized and Christian