The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1903-01-29
NEW YEAR
OPENS WELL
Chinese Turn Out
In Honor of
Occasion.
Large Receptions Are
Held by Leading
Societies.
All the Big Houses Entertain Their
Visitors With the Customary
Lavish Hospitality.

Chinese New Year passed without an
incident to mar the enjoyment by the
Oriental population of it's one holiday Of
the year, and there was not a single
one of the thousands perhaps but made
it day of perfect merrymaking. Until
evening there was not a drop of rain,
and by that. time the stated functions
had been passed and the downpours af-
fected only the late corners and the
crowds which gathered about the
theaters.
Ushered in with noises of bomb and
gong, the day continued until it's close
one marked by the constant roar of fire
crackers without and the dispensing of
good cheer within. Despite the belief
that the bad year would have its effect
upon the celebration, there seemed to
the visitor in Chinatown no diminution
in the interest of the residents in their
holiday. In all the stores of the rich
companies there was gathering of the
friends to smoke and drink and pass
the compliments of the season. The rich
embroideries were all in evidence and
the walls bore the same bright ban
ners as of old. There were spread the
most delightful dishes of sweetmeats,
but in every case, where the visitor was
foreigner, the explanation was made
that all the candied fruits were made
in Honolulu and the only imported arti-
cles were the Ii Chez nuts which were
left in their shells. And all was ex-
joyment taken out of the feasts by
those who made the round of calls.
The principal public function was
that of the United Chinese Society. At
the rooms of the organization. decorat-
ed with the great dragon banner of
the Empire, there gathered the heads
of the society to welcome their friends.
President c. K. Al was fianked in the
receiving line by Lau Tang, Lam Fai,
Wong Leong, H. Ahin, c. Kan Hon,
Y. All In and Chuck Hoy, while at the
door to receive the guests was Chun
Ming and delegation of others to greet
and introduce the visitors.
Soon after IL o'clock when the first of
the guests had arrived, President All, |
Cheung Leong, the Rev. Wong Yuck
Sing and DR.. Ii Kai Fai made short |
addresses, bearing upon the condition |
of the Chinese colony and predicting |
future prosperity. Wine and dainties |
in candied fruits were served, but there |
was no luncheon as in former years. |
The band came at noon and for an hour |
played for the receiving party.
At the Bow Wong Society there was
4 great gathering early in the day. The
greeting of the holiday consisted of a
salute of twenty-one bombs and then
the reception took place. The hall had
been decorated with flags and green's
by prominent Bow Wongs as
he received the congratulations of some
two hundred of his friends The first
thing was the reading of the message
sent to the Emperor through the Ameri-
can minister after which speeches were
made by Wong Leong. DR.. Akana and
DR.. Ii. Refreshments were served.
At the house of the See Yup Society.
where banners and lilies constituted
the major portion of the decorations.
President Chu Gem received several
hundred of the members of the society
md all enjoyed the morning with re-
freshments and passing the compli-
nents of the season.
The club houses of the vi zee tong,
he Kan In Kwock tons, the Kwock
On tong and others We're all open dur
ng the day for callers and an orchestra.
1t most places, supplied music during
he day and evening.
Last night the center of the pleasures
we're the theaters which were crowded,
md there was the usual gambling,
which was kept well under cover how
yer
Today Vice Consul Goo Kim Fui viii
eceive at the Consulate from noon till