THROUGH THE SOUNDS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1328, 4 January 1912, Page 3

THROUGH THE SOUNDS.

THE MOKOIA'S TRIP, "We've had a most delightful lime, and I for ono am very sorry it is over. The cruise was 100 short altogether, and just as a person was beginning to know his fellow-passengers and things began to warm up, so to speak, the whole nlfair was cut short by our return to Wellington."

These were the words that fell from a passenger as lie landed from the Mokoia on Tuesday evening. Everyone was of the same opinion, and the general remark wis ono complaining of the: shortness of the trip. The Mbkoiu left "Wellington at 3.30 p.m. on .Saturday, and, alter a good run across the Strait, dropped anchor in Port Hardy, DTrville Island, at 10 p.m. the same day. .During (he evening an impromptu concert and dance was held. A capital programme was arranged, and the evening's entertainment was much appreciated. Next morning all the Mokoia's boats were put into the water, and two parties were formed. Visits were paid to Victory Island, and hero one party landed and strolled about the island, while the second party, which consisted of two boats towed by a steam launch, vent on a fishing expedition. When Victory Island had been thoroughly explored, what was called "the oil launch parly" cruised round the various bays, and, after proceeding to tho head of the Sound, where .ferns were gathered, they returned to the ship. At It p.m. "the hook" was hauled aboard, and the Mokoia proceeded along the coast: to Admiralty Bay, thence to Poloriis Sound entrance, up Tennyson lulct, through Apua Channel, and arrived in Ngawhakawhitu Bay at 6 p.m. Again the boats were lowered, and all on board went for a moonlight excursion. Rockets and other fireworks were sent off and the boats returned to tho ship at 10 p.m. A most enjoyable concert was then held on board, at which Captain Harris, tho master, presided. Speeches were made by Mr. W. A. Kennedy, manager for the I.'iiion Company at Wellington, Mr. K. C. ' Adams, chief passenger clerk, Wellington, Captain Harris, and others. The New Year was ushered in in right royal fashion, everyone entering into tho spirit of the thing. The evening's entertainment was enlivened by a troupe of minstrels, who termed themselves "Tho Foo-i'oa Band."' A sailor- was dressed to representa "Wild Man from Borneo," and some of the passengers were also "got up" to represent various. other characters. On New Year's Day the boats were again put out,' and excursions were made to tho head of Tennyson Inlet. Picnics were the order of tho day. At the head of the inlet much amusement was caused through the steam launch going aground and remaining fast for about three hours. The passengers had to bo carried ashore through from two to three feet of water. Some of the oxcursiouists returned to the Mokoia for lunch, and, during (he afternoon', part of the Sounds were explored by tho "steam launch larty." A visit was paid' to Mrs. Campbell's .property, and all boats returned to the ship at 7 p.m. At 8.30 p.m. a dance was held on deck, and dancing was kept up until 1 a.m. yesterday.. The anchor was weighed at t> a.m., "and a start made for home. The Mokoia cruised through the sound, and skirted, en route, Crail Bay, Elie Bay, and Clover Bay. Thence back. to the main channel, and proceeded up the sound through Lyttbn .Water and Conniston Water to Kenepuru. From this point the Mokoia commenced her homeward voyage in earnest, and arrived at the Queen's Wharf at the time stated above. ■With the exception of a little raiu yesterday, fine weather was experienced throughout the trip.

Passengers were rather omphalic in their praise of the arrangements, and the way in which the Ship's officers catered for their comfort. The chief officer, .Mr. .13. It..'Nicholas, was in charge of arrangements, and the second officer. Mr. E. F. Watson, had charge of the sleam launch parties, and Mr. A. .1. Lewis, third officer, ljiid charge of the. oil launch parties. . The ''Mokoia was commanded by Captain K. Harris, .and he had tho following officers associated, with him:—Chief, Mr. E. It. Nicholas; second, Mr. K. F. Watson; third. Mr. A. ,1. Lewis: fourth, Mr. [•'..A. Clarke. Messrs. C. Kcefe, S. Mahood, and J. Grey were extra officers. Mr. M. liichniond was chief engineer, Mr. J. A. Anderson second, Mr. C. W. Croll third, Mr. J. M'Lean fourth, and Mr. P. H. Dave'y fifth engineer. The purser was Mr. P. IT. Cooke, and his assistant was Mr. If. W. Benstead. Mr. S. A. Moore was chief steward, and Misses M. Porteous and Turnbull were the stewardesses.