THE PAEROA’S TRIP

Hokitika Guardian, 7 January 1918, Page 1

THE PAEROA’S TRIP

The s.s Pneroa, which left ITokiiik: on Boxing Day morning at 8 o’cloet on an excursion to Milford Sound

made a smart passage, arriving at- the entrance to the Sound in 2GJ- hours; having had a: smooth passage. There were ten passengers making the trip. The passage up the Sound the same evening was a most enjoyable one, the scenery being described as magnfiicent. The steamer moored up at the mooring bony near Bowen’s Falls, opposite Mr. Sutherland’s at the head of the Sound, Fishing was indulged in, there being a depth of 300 feet to the bottom. Next- day a party made -an exploration to Sutherland Falls, 13 miles away, the night- being spent at Quentin Hut. on the track thereto. The track was found to be overgrown badly. A number of men have just arrived to get the tracks repaired. The siglit- of the falls was well worth the journey, while the bush was full of pigeons, kakas, and other birds. There was a plontitude of fish caught during the trip. On the return trip a call was made l at Oleum, and here a heavy southerly gale held the steamer up for three days. On Friday afternoon the homeward journey was continued, a call being made at Bruce Bay where cargo was taken ashore and also a passenger. Five passengers came up from Okuru. At Okarito a run in was made to pick up a' sick passenger, (Afiss Thompson), several others also taking the up trip. The steamer arrived at Hokitika- at noon on Saturday, after a very enjoyable trip during which no rain fell, except a light misty rain, which was experienced for a few hours the day after the arrival at the Sound. When the heavy blow was on at Okuru there was no rain, a remarkable difference to the heavy rain experienced further up the Coast. The passengers from Okuru wore, Mrs ITeveldt and three children, Mrs Cron and child and Mr. A. Eggeling. During a period that the steamer was anchored off Open -Bay island, on the up-journey, several wont ashore on the island. Here it was found that Maori hens, wliieh- had been placed there by Mr. Jas. Malloy many years ago, bad thrived well, and were very numerous. It was stated that as a result of the depredations of the Maori ben on shag’s nests there were not so many of this pest noticeable in this vicinity