TOFUA ARRIVES.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 232, 1 October 1929, Page 7

TOFUA ARRIVES.

SEVERAL HOURS LATE.

DELAYED BY STORM.

PERSONALITIES ON THE VESSEL. Several hours later than expected, the Union Company's Tofua arrived in the harbour last night from the Islands. On the run down to Samoa fine weather was experienced and it continued till the vessel was two flays out from Suva on the return journey. A south-west gale sprang up, with heavy seas delaying the steamer considerably. One day she only logged 213 knots and the following 24 hours 240. The weather moderated yesterday, although a heavy swell continued till the New Zealand coast was reached. The Tofua carried a large number of passengers, some of whom did the round trip. As far as Samoa is concerned, when questioned, those on board said that apparently it was a question of "All Quiet on the Samoan Front." Speaking generally in respect to Tonga it was reported that the position of the copra market was keenly felt in those particular islands and there was a general trade slump. Fifty Years a Schoolmaster. Among the passengers were: Mr. W. Webster, of Melbourne, who was making a tour of the Islands and who is on his first visit to New Zealand. Mr. Webster was for over 50 years a schoolmaster in Melbourne and went to the Islands three months ago. While at Suva he took temporary charge of the Toorak Methodist Mission School, during , the absence of the headmaster. On his departure by the Tofua some 300 boys from the school came down to the wharf and farewelled him with native songs and other items, much to the enjoyment of the passengers. Mr. Webster is returning to Australia by the Ulimaroa on Friday next and intends to make an extended visit to New Zealand in March or April next. Some of the Passengers. Mr. G. Tolhurst, well known in Wellington business circles, was also a passenger by the steamer. He, too, is en route to Australia by the Ulimaroa, Mr. S. Wright, ex-divisional clerk in the chief accountant's office of the New Zealand Railways, and Mrs. Wright, spent some weeks in the Islands. Mr. Wright, who recently retired on superannuation, will make a tour of the South Island before entering business in Wellington. Miss G. Watt, who has been for three years on the nm-sing staff of the King George Hospital- at Suva, returned to ;he Dominion. Mr. G. Studholm, of the "Christcnurclt Times" staff, who has been on five ! months' furlough, also returned by the Tofua. Mr. H. King, ex-chairman of the Brisbane Chamber of Commerce, and Mrs. King, werepassengers. They will make a short tour in the Dominion before returning to Queensland. Mr. W. Murdoch, who has spent some years in the Islands and who has jusfc resigned the position of engineer to the Tongan Government, has returned to New Zealand to take up his old position with the Richardson Shipping Company, Napier. Mr. Murdoch's people live at Stanley Point. Other passengers were: Mr. R. Kruse, manager for the Hon. O. F. Nelson, at Samoa; Mr. A. Kilpatrick, of Dunedin, and his son, Mr. E. Kilpatrick, of Nightcaps, and Mr. and Mrs. W. -P. Morse and Miss E. Morse, of Toronto, Canada, who will tour the Dominion. Mr. H. C. Choyce, of Auckland, also returned by the vessel.