THE BALMAIN.

Gisborne Times, Volume X, Issue 1030, 24 October 1903, Page 2

THE BALMAIN.

The steamer Balmain (Captain W. Troup), wli cli was reported yesterday as having passed the East Cape at 8.25, arrived in the bay at live o'clock last, evening, and came into the river at high tide, salely berthing at the wharf at 7.30. The Balmain was drawing 10.2 forward and 10,9 aft when she arrived, and it says a great deal for the careful seamanship shown by Captain Troup that he was able to bring the vessel up to the wharf in the dark, more especially considering the present state of the river. In coming in the Balmain touched slightly at the mouth of the Waikanae, but only for, a moment. The Balmain left Sydney on October 9th, and Newcastle on the 10th, and for the first few days experienced light easterly winds and then smooth seas to the North Cape. From the latter point to VVhangarei, where the steamer called, northerly winds and thick weather prevailed,. The Balmain arrived at Whangarei on the morning of the 18th, and left there at 4 o’clock on the 19th. It was then blowing a fresh south-east breeze, and when the steamer was off the Little Barrier, the breeze freshened into half a gale. On Thursday morning, the 20th, a heavy easterly gale prevailed Captain Troup was shaping a course through the Mercury passage, but the, gale increased to such an extent that lie decided to come to an anchorage, which he did at the back of! .Great Mercury Island, at 8 o’clock on Tuesday. The steamer Was at anchor for about two hours, when] the Union S.S. Co.’s steamer Herald also put in for shelter. The two -steamers remained there for two days. At 5.30 on Thursday morning the Balmain resumed her voyage to Gisborne, coming through the Mercury passage, whilst the Herald went round the Island. The, Union steamer passed the Balmain, and Captain Troup afterwards sighted her in Hick’s Bay. There was a heavy swell in the Bay of Plenty, but at midnight on Thursday fine weather prevailed. The Balmain brough 414 tons of coal for this port

It is estimated that 300,000 bags oi wheat will be harvested in the Parlies district, New South Wales, this season.

During some excavation work with a plough at Geraldine, Canterbury, recently, an old Maori oven was unearthed. It must have been in the ground between 40 and 50 years. Morrison’s bush, Wairarapa, clai.ES to hold the record for returns from a dairy herd, which is stated to be £ls 5s per cow for 12 months, according to the factory returns.

Ensign Kells, of the Salvation Army, who has been visiting the Wairoa district in connection with the Self-DeDial Fund, gave an interesting lantern exhibition in St. Andrew’s schoolroom on Tuesday night, says the Wairoa Guardian, showing about 200 pictures of Australian and New Zealand scenery and comic subjects. Some solos and descriptive readings made up a pleasant evening's entertainment. Ensign Kells, at the close, thanked the Church managers for the free use of the building.