THE WAIRARAPA'S TRIP.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 4038, 1 July 1884, Page 4

THE WAIRARAPA'S TRIP.

IBY TELEOEAPII.]

Auckland, This day

The Wairarapa arrived at Russell on Sunday afternoon. Tho excursionists were refused permission to land either at Samoa or Tonga in consequence of one of the sailors developing measles the day before arrival at Samoa. The man is now convalescent. There is no other sickness. The cruise through the Fiji Group wns an unqualified success, a week of splendid weather being devoted to the exploration of the islands. It "was proposed, to J-Ceppel Island, on the way to Samoa, but thick -weather prevented the visit. On reaching Apia, in the Samoan Group, the Wairarapa anchored, and a large number of native canoes came off. It then became known aboard that a seaman who had been unwell since shortly after leaving New Zealand had been isolated, two doctors aboard pronouncing his case to be measles. The health officer was signalled for and came aboard with the British Consul. After inspection, and considering tho case, a Consular Court, consisting of the British, American, and German Consuls, decided to place the steamer in quarantine. The native boats were therefore ordered away, and the passengers prohibited from landing. The captain then contemplated going to Tutuilla, but the consuls refused to give him a clearance. The steamer then sailed for Tongatabu, but the Rev. Shirley Baker, Premier of Tonga, prohibited them landing there also. The passengers now held a meeting aboard to consider the situation. The majority ■were favorable to returning to Auckland as speedily as possible —the course recommended by Captain Chatfield. A resolution ■was finally carried to remain one day at Fagoa, and then proceeded to Auckland via Bay of Islands. In pursuance of this resolution the steamer left Tonga on Tuesday morning, arriving at Russell yesterday afternoon, after a protracted passage of five days, the vessel coming under easy steam. Everyone aboard was thoroughly satisfied ■with the manner in which the steamer was fitted out for the excursion by the Union Company, and it is greatly; to be regretted that this mishap should have occurred to mar its complete success. . This disease itself caused no alarm among the passengers. The Russell health officer cleared the Wairarapa, and she left there for Auckland late last night.