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New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 4189, 24 August 1874, Page 2

The starting of such a steamer as the Atrato from New Zealand for England, by way of the Cape of Good Hope, is an incident of some interest and importance, and it is not to be wondered at that there should have been some demonstration on the occasion. This there was on the day of her lifting her anchor in Lyttelton Harbor by a gathering on board, consisting of the captains of the several vessels in port, and of friends of the passengers, numbering nearly a hundred, and advantage was taken of the occasion, in speeches made, to refer to the prospects of the new trade, and the performances of the Atrato in the past, though these had been attended with some amount of bad fortune. One of the speakers, Mr. Hennab, of Messrs. Dalgety, Nioholls and Co., when proposing the health of Captain Husband, said that although the Atrato had been unfortunate at the start, she had redeemed her character in coming out. He knew that Messrs. Morrison and Co. were prepared to send more, though they had lost by this trip. He hoped to see the time when a line of steamer's direct from England might run, bringing wealth and happiness to the old country and to the Colony. Mr. March, who was also one of the speakers, alluded to the fact that the Atrato was the second steamer chartered for the passenger trade that had ever visited New Zealand. He regretted much that the vessel had been unfortunate, but although unfortunate, the vessel had had comparatively speaking a low rate of mortality on board during the outward passage. By |both speakers, and by others present, it was admitted the Atrato was, at least, fortunate in having a competent commander; and, it is sincerely to be hoped, for the sake of his own repute and that of the ship, as well as for the sake of the many worthy colonists who embarked by her, that the homeward voyage will prove successful, and encourage the continuance of what is now only an experiment, but an experiment which many interested in the Colony have long wished to see carried out, so as to place New Zealand on a footing of equality with other Colonies of the South.

The various attempts made to settle the Auckland Islands, or to make them the head-quarters of whaling or sealing expeditions, seem to be attended with much ill success. The latest instance is that of. Dr. Moncktou’s expedition to the islands by the schooner Mabel Jane, which sailed from the port of Riverton some months ago. A false start was made at the first; and a second attempt to reach the islands has only resulted in a long struggle with the elements, compelling abandonment of the enterprise, at leasffor the present. It appears that after her departure from Port William, in Stewart’s Island, gale succeeded gale, and the thick weather prevailing at this season in these southern seas prevented observations being made, or a safe landing on the islands themselves. When within only twelve miles of the islands, and when hope was high, these adverse circumstances culminated ; a violent south-west gale came on, and the schooner was compelled to fly before it, and to seek the most accessible shelter in several of the minor ports of Stewart’s Island. Having a quantity of stock on board, the wonder is that mere delay and disappointment were not the only unfortunate results of the voyage, but by dint of good management the stock were kept alive, and ultimately the Mabel Jane returned once more to Riverton. Praiseworthy in its object, and promoted ■with considerable energy as the enterprise was, it is questionable if those who undertook it were wise in the selection of the season in which they started, and it is possible that, by renewing the attempt at a period of the year more favorable to South-sea voyaging, they may achieve more of that success which they have, in some respects at least, endeavored to deserve,