THE TARAWERAS TRIP TO THE SOUNDS.

Kumara Times, Issue 2908, 23 February 1886, Page 2

THE TARAWERAS TRIP TO THE SOUNDS.

The Un ion Company's fine steamship Tarawera left Port Chalmers at 5 p.m. on the 13th nit. The weather was very fine, and continued so throughout. The sun shone brightly every day, and the sea was undisturbed, save by the gentlest of ripples. Indeed, tlie Tarawera has never before .had such beautiful weather for her excursion. The Bluff was reached at 5 a.m. on the 14th, and a start was made at 8.30 a.m. for Preservation Inlet, which was reached in the afternoon. After sailing to the head of Long Sound, the steamer returned to CiUtleCove, where she anchored. In the evening a concert was given by the crew, whose efforts were warmly applauded, and whose talent was quite unsuspected. The next two days, the 15th and 16th, were entirely spent in the same place, and pat ties were got up to go fishing, shooting, exploring, and collecting natural specimens, everyone following his own bent, and all appearing to enjoy themselves thoroughly. On the evening of the 15th a dance was given on the poop, which was prettily decorated with green bushes and coloured lamps. Next evening a concert was given by the passengers, in which they showed very varied accomplishments. At five a.m. on Sunday a start was made for Dusky Sound, to the head of which the steamer proceeded, and then returned to Wet Jacket Arm, where she dropped her anchor. A short service was held in the forenoon, when a few fitting words were spoken by the Rev. T. Flavell. In the afternoon the boats were got out, and everyone did as he best liked. In the evening a sacred concert was given. At daylight of the 18th anchor was weighed, and the steamer made for Doubtful Sound, thence to the head of Smith Sound, which many considered the loveliest, though not the grandest, of the New Zealand fiords; thence through Thompson Sound to Caswell Sound, and thence to George Sound, at the head of which she cast anchor about four in the afternoon. Boats were again got out, and practice commenced for the regatta. An entertainment was given in the evening by the Tarawera Minstrels, with which the audience was highly delighted. Tuesday was spent in boating, practising for the regatta, which began to look a most promising and formidable event, and in visiting the falls and Freshwater Lake. The weather being so exceptionally calm and bright, several parties went away for the whole day, and took their lunch from the waters of the Sound. In the evening a dance on the poop.

On Wednesday the event of the trip came off, i.e., the regatta, which was thoroughly wel! planned and energetically carried out, and the success of which was mainly due to the unflagging zeal of Mr 0. O. de Betham and his co-workers on the committee. The results of the principal events were as follows;—Firemen v. Sailors, won by sailors; Passengers v. Officers, won by half-a-length by the passengers, in the quickest time made during the regatta. Three crews started in the Ladies’ Race. The winners being—bow, Miss F. Lysaght: 2, Lady Mary Marshatn; 3, Miss Christie; stroke, Miss J. Lysaght; cox, Mr D. Dalgleish. In the evening, a short but enjoyable concert, in which Mr de Maus sang an amusin** resume of the incidents of the excursion, Dr. Dobson said that that being their last evening in the Sounds he had b'“en asked to thank Captain Sinclair and his officers for their uniform kindness and courtesy, and for their untiring efforts for the comfort and enjoyment of the passengers. He had also to congratulate his fellow-passengers on the marvelously fine weather*which had seconded their efforts. He also complimented the crew on the excellence of their entertainments, which, he said, might draw houses in Duuediu, or even Melbourne. ’

Captain Sinclair fittingly replied. Dr. Dobson then introduced Lady Marsham, herself a prize winner, who pioceeded to distribute the prizes, for which a sum of £3O had been subscribed.

A. grand display of fireworks came off afterwards, followed by a ball. Next morning at ten the Tarawem reached the entrance to Milford Sound, to the head of which she proceeded slowly. Everyone was much impressed by this grandest of all the Sounds, and for about an hour the clouds, which seem here to be almost perennial cleared away, and Mitre Peak on the or.e hand and Mount Pembroke on the other, stood fully revealed in the sunshine.

The steamer then made for the Bluff which was reach'd about 10 am on the 22nd.