The Pacific commercial advertiser., 1903-12-24

though as rule merchants report that
the holiday trade is confined to articles
of a useful rather than an ornamental
nature. Merchants combine in declar-
ing the Christmas trade much better
| now than year ago, but in some cases
this is supplemented by statement
that the presence of the fleet in port
is responsible for this.
| There was also a large demand this
years for Christmas trees and the or
naments that go with them, and the
supply of both is practically exhausted.
California holly was imported this year
in large quantities for the first time,
and the demand for it is extraordinary.
The Alameda which was expected in a
day earlier than usual is not due until
!Christmas morning, and merchants
say that no dependence can be put up
on obtaining Christmas dainties from
| her.
How is Christmas trade?" was the
question put yesterday to number of
Honolulu merchants by Ian Advertiser
reporter. The condensed replies are
given below:
H. F. Wichman & Co.-"Trade is way
ahead of last year. said H. F. Wich-
man. "Our Christmas business has
been very satisfactory both in the num-
ber Of sales and the size of the individ-
ual orders. There have been whole
lot of small and very good sales.''
May & Co.-Christmas trade was re-
ported as very good, particularly in the
finer qualities of staple groceries The
supply of cranberries, apples, mince
meats, ETC., is almost exhausted.
Mrs. Ethel Taylor reports her big
stock of California holly and cut flow
ers as rapidly disappearing. She has
just opened up a new store in the
Young Building which is stocked with
flowers, holly, etc. About 2200 pounds
of the California red berries were or
dered this year and the supply is fast
being exhausted.
New England Bakery-"There has
not been quite as heavy a sale of can
dies and other Christmas goods" Mr..
Lutted reported. "The fleet however
is making up for all deficiencies by
buying bread, cakes, pies, etc., in enor-
nous quantities.
At n. S. Sachs & Co., B. F. Ehlers
& Co. and L. B. Kerr & Co. an excep-
tionally brisk trade was reported, par
Iticularly in useful articles of dry goods
Kerr, in his new store, has a Santa
Claus always on exhibition. The sale
of fancy goods, which all three stores
handle, is also reported as good. The
Pacific Import Co. and A. Blom also
reported fine holiday trade. Sachs
played Santa Claus yesterday and gave
away hundreds of dolls.
The Oriental Bazaar, which has beer
having a sale, has cleared out a large
portion of its stock. Sayegusa on Hote
street reports a better Christmas trade
than any year since he has been il
business and Wing Wo Chan & Co.
who has been having a closing out sale
reports a heavy demand for Orienta
goods. Ozah also supplied Orienta
goods to a large number of Christina:
shoppers.
Honolulu Photo Supply Co.-"Ou
sales, have been much larger than ;
year ago for December said Mr.
John Warren. There is a peculia
thing in connection with this Christina
trade. The next day after the las
steamer went to the coast, trade drop
| ped to one-third of what it had been
but it has resumed it's old proportions
again. 1t was simply the lapse be
| tween the purchases for MAINLAND
= gifts and those for home consumption
Our trade this year ran largely to pic
ture frames
The Pacific Hardware Co. report
trade about the same as that of a yea
ago, the orders coming in very late.
At WALL Nichols & Co. there has beer
fa large sale of toys, the last two day
bringing up the sales to those of yea
ago.
At E. w. Jordan & Co. there was ais
a large sale in toys as well as of usefu
articles in dry goods.
At Lewis & Cos, Mr. Lewis said tha
trade was much better than last year
THE people are buying necessities
though" he said. "The rush only
: commenced the last few days but tn,
trade is entirely up to my expectations
We sold our stock of Christmas tree
before they came and nearly all ou
bon-bons are gone. Our trade ha
been above the mark of that
year ago and we expect it to be ever
better tomorrow
"a The Island Meat Co. is doing a goot
business in supplying meats and gam,
! for Christmas dinners. Turkeys ar,
FIVE cents a pound higher than a yea
ago. At the Metropolitan Meat Co.
Mr.. Waller reported that the sales o
Christmas dainties would be about a.
usual, taking into consideration th1
fleet purchases. Mr.. Waller antici
pated no shortage in the supply o
j, game or other meats because of tn,
presence of the sailormen.
Emil Berpdt, of Dimond & Co. said
6 ! 1--WE have been doing a fine business
the best in three years. The pur
{ chasers have been buying useful ar
t ticles. though, and people who former
ly bought a fifty dollar piece conten