ARRIVAL OF H.M.S. CHALLENGER.

Mount Ida Chronicle, Volume V, Issue 278, 3 July 1874, Page 3

ARRIVAL OF H.M.S. CHALLENGER.

The" Challenger, accompanied by a scientific staff, was deputed, among other things, to examine the line of the proposed cable between Australia and New Zealand/ We learn by telegraph that she arrived at Wellington, June 29th.,- having had to put back to Sydney after being two days out. She also had rough weather on reaching this coast, and took shelter in Port Hardy from \\ ednesday till Saturday morning. The deepest sounding taken' across was 2,600 fathoms. Found a bottom of sand and mud till almost in site of New Zealand, when the bottom became rocky and shallow suddenly." When about 10 miles from port, one of the crew, named Edward Wiltony while standing in the chains, was washed away by a sea. He was not missed for a few minutes, when the vessel rounded to, but : there was no sign of him. The date- of her departure is not decided yet. : After leaving Wellington the .Challenger is-to-go to Auckland, unless the Ota go people induce the scientific staff -to pay them a visit, as they will make every endeavor to do. After a week's btay in Auckland, she goes .. to Tongataboo and the .Fiji. Islands. After cruising some- time in Polynesia generally, the Challenger ; goes to Hong Kong, which she will make her main station" "for coaling and refitting Her rough; passage 'prevented soundings being-taken as satisfactorily as could be wished.