THE ARRIVAL OF THE S.S. MAWHERA.

Kumara Times, Issue 2308, 21 January 1884, Page 3

THE ARRIVAL OF THE S.S. MAWHERA.

[From the Grey River Argus.] The arrival of a first-class steam collier direct from Home to this port would, in itself, be an event of sufficient importance to call for notice, and create a feeling of interest among the community generally ; but when the arrival is that of the very first vessel that has been built specially for this trade, named after our own river (the native name of which is Mawhera), commanded by one of the most energetic, fortunate and popular commanders trading to this port, and despatched direct from the builders’ hands to this port, it was no wonder that the whole town seemed to have turned out, and volleys of hearty cheers greeted Captain Johnston as he brought his vessel alongside the wharf on Saturday, whei’e he has so often brought the Grafton, which in his hands proved a popular and piofitable boat. The large crowd of people who assembled on the wharf to witness the arrival of the Mawhera was most unusual, and gave the quay a holiday air. There were many and warm greetings from Capt. Johnston’s numerous friends who were eager to welcome him back after his trip to the old country to bring out the new boat, which is the third that has been built for the firm to engage in the rapidly expanding trade of this coast. It was pleasant, too, to see that she brought with her from the Horae country and the Cape of Good Hope a number of sturdy and intelligent-looking passem gers, who will no doubt make good settlers in this young country. The following are the names of the passengers; —From Cardiff—Mrsßrown and family (6); Miss Taylor 3 Mr Grunnel. From Capetown—Mesdames Taylor, Jenkins and family (2), and Anderson; Rev. Dr. Taylor, D.D.; Messrs Hunt, Jenkins, M'Lean, Tallahson, Ferguson, Redman, Weston, Searle, Potter, Jones, Illidge, Dickson, Collins, Anderson, and Ott. The Mawhera arrived off Greymouth at eight o’clock on Saturday morning last, and came alougaide the wharf about 1 p.ra. The time from Capetown to Greymouth was 31 days 2 hours; steaming time, 29 days 19 hours. The total time from Cardiff was 63 days 12 hours, and the total steaming time 58 days. The stay at the Cape was 3 days 17 hours. Messrs Girdwood, Rahman and Co. are the agents.