THE FLYING SQUADRON AT LYTTELTON.

Evening Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2096, 24 January 1870, Page 2

THE FLYING SQUADRON AT LYTTELTON.

[from our oavK reporter.] The unexpected announcement of the arrival of the Flying Squadron at Lyttelton, was the means of taking a good many people to that place and the City of the Plain last week. The Wellington which started early on Thursday morning took away a good few Dunedimtes, and the Maori which sailed the same evening, had its share of passengers. By the latter vessel your reporter took passage, in the hope of reaching Lyttelton in time to pay a flying visit to the squadron. But he was doomed to he disappointed. The Maori left Port Chalmers at about seven o’clock on Thursday night. With the exception of a slight incident which occurred before we cleared the Heads, the passage was a very monotonous one. When among the shipping, those on board were startled by the cry of a man overboard. It appeared that the vessel had been towing a fishing boat, and one of its occupants by some means was struck by a line, and hurled into the water ; the engines were stopped, and he was picked up, apparently none the worse for his ducking. Timaru was reached at about half-past seven a. in. on Friday, and here stopped until six at night shipping wool for Lyttelton. We entered Lyttelton Heads at about 7 a. m. on Saturday. The squadron was sighted lying below the lighthouse. On reaching the vessels, the engines were slowed, and as each ship was passed, the ensign was dipped, the salute being smartly returned by each of the war vessels. Lyttelton wharf was reached at eight. Fine weather was experienced throughout the voyage. As we have already stated, the visit of the Flying Squadron was totally unexpected. As the Admiral wrote tq Mr Parks, of Christ.i.hurch, Lyttelton had been erased from the list of calling places by the Admiralty, and it was while at Hobart Town that he received Sir George Bowen’s letter, earnestly advising him to call in, and informing him of the disappointment that would be caused if he did not; and he then determined to pay Lyttelton a visit. Much has been said about the fleet not putting in at Otago

Heads; but it was reported at Lyttelton that the Admiral had express orders not to do so. It may be stated that there are only two vessels of the fleet that do not draw less than 20 feet of water. The Squadron arrived off Lyttelton Heads on Tuesday night, and anchored about four miles outside. Early the next morning, the ships got under weigh, and commenced beating up the harbor. There was a fine SAY. breeze blowing, and the ships bore up in the following order: —Liverpool, flying Admiral Hornby’s flag, Scylla, Phoebe, Endymion, and Liffey. The first anchored, about 9 a m., opposite Camp Bay, the others, as they came up, anchored around her. The Squadron left Hobart Town on Monday, the 10th iust., with light head winds ; anchored the same night, and sailed again on the 11th, passing the Ironpot Lighthouse .at 7 am. Experienced strong westerly winds and fine weather to the Snares, which were passed on Sunday, the ICth, and Otago Heads on tho 17th, and light fair winds up the coast to Lyttelton, arriving as above. In Christchurch, as soon as it was known that the Squadron had arrived, preparations were made for the reception of theofficers. Tho city was gaily decorated with flags—in fact it wore quite a holiday appearance. The City Council held a special meeting, when it was resolved to proclaim a general holidry for the following day, Alp m. Admiral Hornby and a number of his officers arrived in town by special train, and, accompanied by the Superintendent of the Province, visited the racecourse, returning on board the same evening. The next day the Admiral and his officers again took train to Christchurch, visited the Government Buildings, the Domain, the Acclimatization Society, went to the races, and in the evening attended a ball given in his honor at tho town hall. The Admiral also visited the residence of Mr J. C. Nelson, C.P. Tho fleet was thrown open for public inspection on Thursday and Friday, and the number of visitors was great. On Friday there must have been close on 5,000 persons on board the different ships. Every steamer in harbor appeared to be crowded with passengers, but the Ahuriri appeared to be the most crowded, for every available bit of room was occupied. The Admiral gave a lunch on board to the Superintendent, Executive, Mayor, and City Council, and principal inhabitants of the city. The guests took their departure in the large boats of the Squadron, manned with six and eight oars, and each in command of a midshipman. The Admiral’s barge, a beautiful craft, was appropriated to his Honor the Superintendent, Mrs Holiest on, and party. A lieutenant was in command of the stairs, and the boats were despatched with the order and freedom from confusion which always distinguishes the service. The spectacle was a very pleasing one. The weather was delightful; and the officers and men of the squadron spared no trouble in showing their visitors over the vessels. On two of the vessels the bands played, and dancing was indulged in. Everybody appeared to be delighted, aad the officers arid men of the Squadron have gone away -with very pleasant reminiscences of their visit.

The Barrosa, the smartest vessel of the fleet, joins the Squadron at Wellington. The fleet was to have made sail and started for Wellington at daylight on Saturday, but did not get under weigh until 9.30. The Liffey was the first vessel to trip her anchor, and was closely followed by the Endymion. The wind was very light from the N.E., and the vessels had to work out of harbor. At 10 o’clock the Liverpool got under weigh, followed by the Phccbe, which had steam up, and the Scylla brought up the rear. The sight of so many large vessels tacking out was very fine, and many of the steamers that took out passengers to view the departure went as far as tbe Heads, ami did not return on the homeward trip until the fleet was fairly out of sight. Up to the last the vessels appeared to maintain the order in which they started. One of the Christchurch papers, doubtle a with a view to showing that the visit of the Squadron was not altogether unproductive of good, mentions as a fact, that the amount of fresh provisions consumed by the Squadron during their stay was : —beef and mutton, 10.000 lbs ; vegetables, 5,000 lbs ; bread, 14.000 lbs.