NIGHT MAIL SOUTH.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1904, 12 November 1913, Page 9

NIGHT MAIL SOUTH.

JUAPOUIUKA:& PATEENA IN, RUN.

MOTLEY BUT LOYAL CREWS,

Sir James Mills,, managing director of tho .Union Company, when in Wellington a few days ago,, said that ovory endeavour would bo made to re-e3tab-lish the ferry service. This promise has been kept, and the Mapourika left Wellington for Lyttelton with over 100 passengers last evening. "With the Patcena and Mapoiiriko, running, there 13 every prospect of the service being maintained. Early yesterday . afternoon tho Mapourika was berthed alan»sido tho Queen's Wharf, and preparations wero made for sending her south. A crow had to bo found, and this was accomplished without difficulty. Officers and engineorß of tho Union Company volunteered for service, and several of !tho country members of the Arbitration Union also applied for positions. At 5 p.m. tho crow signed on the articles. AVell-known captains and officers of the Union Company's fleet took up positions as seamen, and engineers went below as firemen. Tho men from the country wore willing workers. • Some were drafted to'the stokehold under directions from engineers: others mado handy men on deck, and one and all entered into tho spirit of tho work. Tho general remarks passed were amusing. Captains who happened to be 'A.B.'s wora subjected to commands by junior officers. 'J'hev jokingly replied

witk tho remark that thoy wero "off Watch," and again, "I want to give in my notice," etc. An order was given for some of tho country members of tho crew to wash the docks. Passengers and luggago wero on board before 8 n.m., and fivo minutes later tho Mapourika east off from the ivharf and left for LytteJton.