A RAID ON HONOLULU.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume VII, Issue 1919, 19 February 1885, Page 2

A RAID ON HONOLULU.

The following Btrange story is told by "Silverpen," the San Francisco correspondent of the " Auckland Herald" :- " A most extraordinary act has lately been performed in "The Islands," as we call them. Five weeks ago, just as the solitary man-o'-war had sailed out of port at Honolulu, a Btrange ship was seen casting anchor. At dußk five boats, filled with armed men, were seen approaching the shore, but nothing was thought of it until the men leaped out and mooring the boats safely, proceeded to capture all seamen, ppjjqemen and other men found in the Vicinity. These tjjey bpund and gagged, proceeding immediately to the palace where King Kalakau held high revel with twenty-nine invited guests, Tho King and his company were also bound, guards placed at every door, and the treasury lightened of £600,000, all tho silver, and also the presents which had been presented to the sable monarch during his European tour.. After plundering his Kingship, the piratos proceeded to tho town, and entered the principal bank, but being unable to open the safes, they hauled the banker who was sick in bed, out of the same, making him deliver-up the money in the safea, namely £1,000,000, taking also jewels and silver-ware to. a large amount. For nine hours did the men of the sea ramsack the pretty little town, and upon leaving, defied the inhabitants to stir for one hour. Tho military force in that place is more a name tlian an active body, numbering twenty-nine men, who constitute the King's body-guard. Guns were there in plenty, but no ahir munition; so the Islanders wore worsted, and, having no means of redress or power of fighting the matter uet armis, had to succumb with, a sulky grace. A little hard 'tis true,' but shows what a ridicuolous attempt at style the native King puts on/'