U.S,S. CO.’S ANNUAL SUMMER CRUISE

Gisborne Times, Volume VIII, Issue 706, 30 December 1902, Page 2

U.S,S. CO.’S ANNUAL SUMMER CRUISE

® The Union Company’s annual trips to Lhe West Coast Sounds of New I] Zealand have earned a reputation a which extends far beyond the limits !- of the .Year by year, an b increasing number of tourists v.'tit ’’ New Zealand in order to take part g in them. These trips to the Sounds t are quite unique, and partake more of the nature of a social picnic than of an ordinary sea excursion. Most • of the travelling 'is done in the early 3 morning before breakfast, and as, the 3 Sounds, are distant but a few miles 2 from each other, the vessel is only. 2 at sea for an hour or two each day! - and the remainder of the time is fc spent sailing up and down in perfeet- '■ Jy smooth water, or lying at anchor <■ in the Sounds. A steam launch and ; a fleet of boats are placed at the dis- : posal of passengers, who can arrange : fishing and sketching expeditions as : well as picnics on shore. In George i Sound a regatta is held, and the different contests between passengers and crew, particularly the ladies’ race, are usually productive, of considerable interest and excitement., Boats of light, build are specially provided for the ladies’ race. One of the events of the trip is the regatta ball, at which the regatta prizes won during the. day are presented. Indeed, the entertainments, dances, concerts, etc., given on hoard each evening, are quite a feature. A. band of professional musicians accompanies the ship for the purpose of contributing to the entertainment of the 'passengers. A medical officer is carried. The s.s. Waikare will again be employed. Her luxurious accommodation and up-to-date arr!*ngements make her eminently adapted for such trips. She will take her departure from Sydney on Saturday, 3rd January, proceeding via Wellington and Lyttelton to Dunedin, arriving there oil Saturday, 10th January After a stay of three days, wbich will give passengers from Sydney an opportunity of exploring this interesting city and the delightful scenery; in its neighborhood, the Waikare will leave on Tuesday, 13th January, for Stewart Island and the West Coast Sounds, via Bluff. After, spending twelve days exploring there, she will return to Dunedin, arriving there on the morning of Tuesday, '27th Janu,' - ary.