How He Saved His Passage.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XI, Issue 1612, 19 January 1886, Page 4

How He Saved His Passage.

An incident which caused considerable amusement to several persons occurred on the Queen' 6 Wharf, , "Weilinsrton, on Saturday night. One of the fast and favourite steamers which ply between Foxton and the Empire City hadjbeen announced to sail at 10 p.m., and a few minutes before that hour the skipper approached his ' vessel. Noticing that steam was not up, he enquired of the engineer the cause, who explained that a return excursionist passenger had come down and preferred an urgent request that! the hour of sailing mietht be delayed for an hour, as he had some place he particularly wanted to visit. The engineer saidhe^had allowed himself to say '(though »he krievT he had . done wrong) that she would not sail till 10.30 p.m., "jiist to get rid of him." The skipper was naturally annoyed at what had taken place, as he had cargo to land at Otaki the next morning, and half an hour'B delay m leaving Wellington might make all the difference between landing his cargo, and having to take it on to Foxton. A* 10.3.0, as there was no sign of the tardy passenger, the eneineer made off up the wharf to find him. Not returning 'and it being close on 11, the shipper shortly after proceeded m search •f the, engineer. By -and -bye the latter .returned breathless .with the tiding, that the passenger "could "ribt be • found. " I know where he is," he explainer), " but I could'nt gain, admittance." The order was given to let go the lines, "full speed ahead" followed, and when the vessel was aboui two chains, from the wharf^ , the attention of those present was attracted by a flying, apparition coming, down the wharf, leaving'behindit a fiery tail of sparks. JL little newsboy who just before hud been yelling " Press," at the, top of his voice, now observed m shrill' tones " Oh ! here's a bloomin' comet." Down the wharf, taking nine, feet strides, frantically flourishing a cane m his hand, and with cigar m mouth from which the wind carried the sparks which caused the newsboy's remark, the fleeting apparition came, which it turned out was the passenger who had exacted the promise from the engineer which caused all the bother. Stopping on the edge of the wharf for a moment he surveyed the departing ocean steamer, and then exclaimed m frantic tones the' one 1 word, "Stop." Borne on the night wind the sound reached the Watchful^ skipper's^ ear, and the vessel was brought up. " What's' the matter,"; inquired the captain. The answer came back, "Flood, Manawatu." -«' A flood m the Manawatu. So much the better. I won't stick on the bank." Againthe wailing cry on the night breeze, "Flood, ManawatUv'* -At this juncture; the engineer popped up his head to see what was the matter, and explained to the captain that Flood was the name of the missing passenger. An explosion of j>ent up wrath was now looked for from ' the skipt er , with whom the limit ofhu man forbearance seemed^ to have been reached. But with a courtesy 'and consideration which few m the same position would have displayed he actually brought his steamer jin to the end of the wharf and topkthe cause of all. the trouble aboard* and finally got away over. an hour late.; It is the first time m our. experience ' that a vessel's departure has been' altered at the request of any'individual 'passenger who . exhibited such an- amount of assurand'e as to prefer such an unreasonable request. The conduct of the .skipper was demonstratively appreciated by those on the wharf, who made comments on the incident each after his own view ot the circumstances. " I wouldna -have done it for the Governor hisself ," said one. "I'd have iatj him jump aboard, or try it, 1 ' said another; while a third sung out " Now look yej skipper, give him a good turn-up! off Terawhiti and knock the conceit put, of him." This last called forth: a chorus of laughter, and at the shipper's, order to the engine room to ?• let her go "' the vessel steamed away on her voyage, and no doubt the parties interested duly adjnsted matters before arrival at Fox-ton.-r-Communicated.