TRIP OF THE STEAMER MAORI.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume X, Issue X, 7 January 1875, Page 4

TRIP OF THE STEAMER MAORI.

The Otago Daily/ Times gives the run of the Maori steamer on her first voyage round the Middle Island under her oew contract. After taking in 12,000 feet of timber at Hokitika, and a eupply of coal at Greymouth, tbe . Maori made Jackson's Bay, and found the settlers there to he sbort of stores, which were supplied to tbem. They all, however, Bpeak in very high, terms of the climate ahd capabilities of the district. Payable gold is obtainable all down the coast. The purser of the Maori has Beveral iots of gold, which he took in exchatige ; for stores, and the settlers all had plenty of gold. in hand, which, however, they did not care to sell. The Maori brings Mr Williamson from the Big Bay, and Mr Beckham 'from Martin's Bay, who have with them some very fine samples, some of which' were obtained down near Milford Sound. These are of a very nuggety character. There appears to be very little doubt that alt tbat part of the coast in thie neighborhood ot Martin's Bay is of a highly auriferous character, bat the inaccessible nature of the country renders prospecting a very hazardous and laborious undertaking. The Maori entered Milford Sound, and Anita Bay at the entrance of Milford, The passengers were highly impressed with the grand scenery of the Sound, and spent the few hours allowed in shooting and fishing, and in admiring: the magnificent waterfall. Then proceeding up Thompson Sound, round behind Secretary Island, oame out through Doubtful Sound. The Maori next entered Breaksea Sound, and taking the inßide passage behind Resolution Island, came out through Dnisky Sound. Encountered a stiff easterly gale and heavy sea in Foveaux -Strait*:- and' arrived at Bluff ou Friday at 7 o'clock, Loaded timber ■panel Btiipped pasßengers, and came on » having -experienced p®^trpaQg^i»orth-efiete>r during the run '

from, the Bluff. The Maori has been using Greymouth coal;fpr the ihst* week, and her engineers speak very highly of it, and pronounced : it,to be. much, more lasting than Newcastle* ,. Mr Mills, the manager of: ,the Harbor; Stqam .Company, who accompanied the Maori 1 round the . island, visited both the Brunner Mine and the Greymouth Company's Pit, With a view to obtaining regular supplies for the use of the Company's