OFF BY THE CORINTHIC.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 489, 23 April 1909, Page 3

OFF BY THE CORINTHIC.

LITTLE WHARF-SIDE SCENES. Wellington did not by any moans look its best when the steamer Corinthio and her many passengers 'sailed from the Glasgow Wharf yesterday morning The-wind was blowing considerably, and half an hour 'before the liner left a smart shower of rain descended, making things damp and depressing for those who had come to see the last of friends and relatives. As several well-known Wellington people were going away, ay large gathering of their friends were prosent, as well as the, inevitable sightseer who turns out to everything, from a fire to a funeral, in the vague hope of getting a sensation. .Tho black walls of the huge steamer that was to bo tho homo of so many for some six .weeks at least loomed above cne forbiddingly. On the decks the scene was one of wild' bustle and confusion —arrivals streaming on board, luggage being made to disappear into dark cavernous depths, and numbers of popple straying about,,cither looking for their cabins or for missing friends. It is an ill wind that blows nobody any good, and tho present passengers nave the benefit of freshly-cleaned and painted quarters, the result of the outbreak of measles that took place on the Corinthic's last voyage. Thoro should bo no lack .of musical entertainment, as ( there are some well-known musical people on board—Miss Caldow, Mr. Hamilton Hodge 3, Miss Eabone, winner of a musical scholarship," who is going Home to pursue Her studies in that direction, and other talented people. Miss Caldow has been the recipient of a vast pile of telegrams wishing her succbss in her.career Many-of those looking over tho sido of tht steamer have bouquets of flowers sent at the last moment by the friends they are leaving behind. In ono littlo group are to bo seen Sir Joseph and Lady Ward, as well as some '. members of'the: Cabinet/who havo come to say farewell to Mr. and Mrs. T. Hamer and their family. One could not but be struck by the unusual number of old ladies who were evi- ' dently going Home. It is much to have , one's hopes realised, even though the fulfilment comes* when'tho years are many. But , then Now .Zealandors, young or'old, arc, ever travellers, and the further their . . destination is tho more keen ' they are I about it. • It is to bo hoped that people and I places are not altogether changed or gone when they reach England. At last the signal sounds for all who aro not passengers to leavo tho boat, and a lengthy 'procession commences to stream down tho gangway. Ruthlessly, in the excitement of tho moment, umbrellas aro placed straight in one's lino of vision (why they are up and open is a mystery Known -nly to tho feminino mind, since the rain ha 3 ceased), their spikes wandering perilously near ono's eyes, and one is forced to tako a serpentine course for .another vantage point. A short interval, in which there is much calliug out and farcwelling, then tho bell rings, and slowly, amidst cheers, waving hands, .and smiles that in some cases aro not far from tears, the Corinthio moves slowly away from tho wharf, and soon is but a small thing rapidly receding. into the distance.