THE CRUISE OF THE LUNA.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4307, 9 January 1875, Page 3

THE CRUISE OF THE LUNA.

The Government steamer Luna, Captain Fairchild, arrived in 'Wellington harbor at eleven o’clock yesterday morning, from lighthouse service. She left Wellington on December 15, since which date she has steamed not less than 2030 miles. The following is the report of the Luna’s voyage : —-Left Wellington on December 15 with the Middle Island portion of the San Francisco mail; arrived at Lyttelton, where Captain Johnston, Mr. Seed, and Mr. Blackett, were landed. These gentlemen proceeded to Akaroa to de-_ cide upon a site for a lighthouse in that harbor. Left Lyttelton for Port Chalmers, where the Otago portion of the mall was landed. Then steamed for Akaroa to pick up the party landed at Lyttelton ; left Akaroa again and returned to Port Chalmers, From Port Chalmers proceeded to Cape Saunders, whence the Luna made for Nugget Point lighthouse, whfere oil and stores were lauded. Thence visited Eoubaki Island in Foveaux Strait, where a site was selected for a light. Thence the Luna proceeded to Dog Island lighthouse, which was supplied with requisites. Centre Island was next visited, with the view of selecting a site for a lighthouse, after which the Luna steamed to Bugged Island. At this place, however, there was found to be too great - a break on the shore to effect a landing .with safety. A fierce gale prevailing in this neighborhood, Captain Fairchild ran for shelter to Stewart’s Island, making Port William, whore the Luna anchored for a night. Paterson’s Inlet, in Stewart’s Island, was the next place touched at, and the party made an exploration of this rarely-visited locality. Bugged Island was again made for, and the lighthouse party this time succeeded in landing and finding an excellent situation for a lighthouse. Mason Bay, on the sofith-west coast of Stewart’s Island, was visited for the purpose of obtaining shelter. Anchored under Long Island (the Land’s End of New Zealand), hut finding it an unsafe anchorage it was deemedprudent to make for Small Crafts' Betreat, where a very heavy gale was safely ridden out. When the gale had subsided. Captain Fairchild shaped his course for the Snares, the main island of which was found easy of access. Seals and sea-birds were very numerous, the island appearing to be completely covered by the lattex - . Soundings and sketches were taken of these inhospitable islands, which will, no doubt, prove of value to navigators making New Zealand to tho southward. In Preservation Inlet, Pinsegur Point was selected as the best place on which to establish a light, and the crew of the Luna made a road to the proposed site. Prom Preservation Inlet the Sounds on the West Coast were visited, being entered in the following order :—Dusky Sound, Thomson Sound, Dagg Sound, Nancy Sound, and lastly, . Milford Sound, where the fact of the Otago's recent visit was discovered by finding her name cut upon a tree, upon which the Luna’s name was also inscribed. Left Milford Sound, and arrived at the Buller Eiver. Crossed the bar safely, and anchored at Westport. The lighthouse party landed here, and proceeded on horseback to Cape Foul wind lighthouse, distant six miles. Landed supplies for the lighthouse, at Westport, where Dr. Hector, who had been making a geological examination of the coal measures, took passage for Wellington. The French Pass was next investigated for a site for a lighthouse, and then the Luna visited Mana Island, off Porirua Harbor, where a quantity of oil was landed. Left Mana for Wellington, and arrived as already stated. Excepting two severe gales encountered in Foveaux Strait, the Luna has had exceptionally fine weather, Christmas and New Year’s Day were passed as merrily ay was possible under the circumstances, hut for seventeen days not a human being was seen other than those belonging'to the ship. Captain, Fairchild appears to be allowed little respite from his arduous duties, as he is under orders to proceed to Auckland, calling at several of the East Coast stations, this afternoon.