The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1904-02-01


and it was impossible for him to reach
it. The tank finally burned through
and the hot water fell on the men on
the upper floor and for a time they
thought burning embers had fallen on
them.
The burned building was erected
about four years ago at a cost approx
jmating S25, 900 and the Furnishings were
estimated at $4,000 but that figure
will hardly reach the value as there
were many rare pieces of carved ivory,
paintings and crystal nearly all of
which, however, was saved. The prop
erty was insured for SIS, 0G0.
ANOTHER ACCOUNT.
The Hilo Tribune, in it's report of the
fire, says:
In less than an hour after the fire
gong sounded the alarm, ''Wehikulani'
was a pile of ashes and glowing en-
bers, swirled about by the gusts of
wind that blew hard over Hilo that
day. Within that hour, in fact in an
half hours space, the men who rushed
to the scene had entered the house
that was doomed, and stripped it of
almost every vestige of furniture. The
big yard, the street and the neighboring
yards were piled high with the rich
furnishings that made the hospitable
home OF the Pecks so attractive. Pic
lures from the walls, fragile china from
the cupboards, lace curtains, cabinets
of rare cut glass, beds, chairs, piano,
bath tubs, wearing apparel and every
loose thing was literally snatched from
the flames. The damage and breakage
resulting from the confusion was re-
markably small. And when there was
nothing more to be carried out, men
still ran through the house and with
hammers removed heavy plate glass
windows and the big front doors with
the flames curling about their heads.
AS soon as the fire had done its work,
Mrs Peck and the Misses Peck went
to the home of E. D. Baldwin, where
they will live until they move into the
Mckay house which was rendered to
Mr. Peck by Mr.. Mckay in Honolulu
when they received wireless notice of
the fire. Mrs. Peck andCher daughters
went through the ordeal bravely and
worried more on account of the absent
master of the house than they did over
the home that vanished before their
eyes.
The fire started evidently in the walls
or along the ceiling just below the gar
ret floor. Opinions differ as to the
source of the fire. An inquiry was held
before Judge Hapai Tuesday at which
Mr.. Mocine, Superintendent of the
Electric Light Co, and A. Richley, the
architect who built the house, were ex-
amined. There were other witnesses
examined. No definite conclusion was
reached.
RECEPTION TO GOVERNOR.
At a meeting to arrange for the re-
ception of Governor Carter the follow |
ing committees were appointed:
Reception-P. Peck, c. G. Kennedy, J. |
A. Scott, C. F. Little, S. L. Desha, John |
I. Baker, Jas. d. Lewis, Adam Lindsay, |
F. B. McStocker, J. T. Moir, w. H. c. |
Campbell, w. H. Lambert, E. n. |
L. Turner, Aug. Hamburg, J. |
w. Mason. Finance. A. Stobie, Jose
J. Hastings Rowland, E. H. /
Austin. Hall and Decoration-Geo. N.
Day, H. T. Lake, Geo. H. Williams.
Refreshments-Dr.M NJ. Rice, r. r. Berg,
VIM. T. Balding. Music-G. F. Alfonso,
Z. N. P,routy. Floor. Castle Ridg-
way, A. c. McKenney, E. E. Richards.
The general reception will be on
evening. A luau will be given
% the Governor and his party by the
probably in the afternoon
If the same day. John T. Baker is re-
ported by the Herald as saying the rea-
son haoles are practically barred from
he luau is because they might get the
executive over III a corner and the Ha-
vaiians would not have an opportunity
o talk with him.
GENERAL ITEMS.
A Hawaiian of the steamer Hawaii's
rev was drowned at Papaikou on
by the capsizing of boat
IN the previous Saturday a Japanese
Employed on the steamer Maui was
drowned in like manner at the same |
,lace.
The order for steel rails cabled by the
lohala-Hilo Railroad Co. called for 800
ons. 1t is expected the line will be.
Completed to Hakalau within two
ears.
1t is declared that a better program
or a concert has never been given
han the one for the Burns anniver
airy. The selections were in the main
f the finest old songs of Burns. There
yas large audience.
The first crop off the makai field of
,laa is running eight tons of sugar to
he acre.
c. w. Weatherbee, bookkeeper of Pu-
a plantation, has been confined to bed
wo weeks owing to d fall from his
orse.
The Republican district executive
omnittee is being reorganized. 1t is
ne determination of the local party
len to have a say in appointments to
flee in this district.
Judge Dole opened the Federal court
,r business on Thursday morning.
wenty grand jurors answered to their
ames, and Geo. n. Day was appointed
leir foreman. The courts charge re-
.rred specifically to Illicit liquor dis
ling. A special venire for trial jurors
as issued, the number appearing be-
lg too small.
Quartermaster Reeves of the steamer d
awaiian has gone into hospital, stay L
ig off the ship for the return voyage, -
receive treatment of his jaw broken =
f.ic nd |