THE NELSON EXCURSION.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4611, 31 December 1875, Page 3

THE NELSON EXCURSION.

The good folks of Wellington have paid their annual visit to their friends of Cherry land. Over -100 travelled in the two steamers. This sadden increase of population fairly startled the lotus-eating inhabitants of that happy land out of their propriety. Shake-downs, horse-rugs, and sofas were at a premium, and cherries rose 50 per cent, in anticipation of the arrival of such a swarm of locusts with rapacious appetites from the nether regions of Port Nick. The Ladybird’s excursionists hiving landed early on Sunday morning, after a pleasant passage, smooth water, and fine weather all the way, they at once pegged out their claims on the new territory, so that when the second batch per Hawea arrived they found all the diggings taken up, and had to content themselves with outside claims. The Hawea’s passengers were not so fortunate m the weather, for though the sea from Wellington to Nelson was as smooth as a millpond, it drizzled first, and from the Prench Pass to Nelson rained hard, driving all the fair sex below. This, under the laws of cause and effect, threw a further damp over the spirits of the hardier voyageurs. At halfpast five p.m. all were again on deck, eagerly looking for Nelson through the clouds of"mist that enveloped it. Shortly afterwards the genial face of the pilot was seen coming over the side. He at once took charge, and in another half-hour had as safely moored alongside the wharf. Then a stampede for the tewn took place. Between nine and ten many of the weary travellers returned to the steamers, having found themselves placed in a similar position to Noah’s dove. Monday broke out fine, but afterwards the weather became overcast, and remained so during the day. This was rather favorable for the regatta, as it prevented the heat being oppressive. About 11 o’clock, the wharves being crowded with pleasure-seekers, the principal event of the day started, and resulted in an easy victory for the Nelson men. This was totally unexpected by their "ellowtownsmen, therefore the rejoicing was proportionately greater. If the crew who pulled in the winning boat will keep in steady practice, they will prove dangerous foes for the best blades in New Zealand to meet. The pair-oared race was simply a race amongst Wellington boats, and very unequally matched. The Wellington Club rowed in a very fine batswing, and the race was a gift to them. The amateur whaleboat race was another victory scored to the Nets onions, and it caused the more excitable of them almost to go “ off their chump,” as the Americans say, the joyous hurrahs reverberating among the hills in a manner never before heard in Nelson. The yacht race ended in the same way. The Minnehaha, beautifully handled, beat all her competitors. The only event in which Wellington was successful was the gig race, and even this might have had a different result if the Nelson crew had been accustomed to their boat. Though, from its ugliness, it is nicknamed the Alligator, it is a wonderfully fast boat,but requires a great amountof practice to sit her steadily. Aftera number of other local events the aquatic sports wound up with the greasy pole. In many respects the issues of this regatta were the best that could have happened, as now we will certainly see Nelson well represented at the Interprovincial Eeoatta. It is their intention to compete in the Whaleboat Eace, first-class Yacht Eace, and Coasters’ Eace. The results will also be a sharp lesson to the Wellington Clubs to be better prepared when they intend to row elsewhere. From seven till eight o’clock was a busy scene of departure tender leavetakings, hearty shakings of hands, invitations on both sides to future visits, “ good-bye old fellows”—and we were away once more, closely followed by the Ladybird. On account of rain and fog our captain wisely went round Stephens’ Island, which being invisible in passing, he steamed out into the middle of the Strait and waited for daylight. This, however, brought no improvement, as we could not see half a mile beyond the steamer. About breakfast time most of the passengers began to show up on deck, many of them looking very woe begone from tnal de mer, or, as Mark Twain puts it, “muchly troubled with the ‘ Oh, my!’ qualms of conscience” —rebellion on the part of the cherries being the general complaint. Remedies, varying from fizz and P.B. to ale and porter, were tried, and many a beloved pipe was abjured and tobacco pouch unconsulted. After breakfast their spirits began to improve, and the poop was enlivened by the frolics of a child of the Green Isle, whose tongue seemed never weary—truly a loss either to the pulpit or the stage, from his repertoire of quotations. It would he impossible to say which of these professions he belonged to. His versatility was such that an offer to favor the company with a duetfon the big drum caused no astonishment, and when allowed to accompany the hand as drummer, he beat them out of time and into convulsions. Long may he preserve his musical talent. From this till noon, speculations were rife as to whether we would get to Wellington that night. Benedicts were doubtwhether their wives would have drawn their life insurances, and spent them before we got home, and how ■ long onr provisions would last. Shortly after noon the pleasant sight of land was seen! First Porirua Heads, and then Mana, and full speed ahead was the order of the day. The expression of relief that passed over the faces of the most corpulent passengers was a treat to behold, as they had instinctly felt that their only previous safety consisted in the amount of beef that the family'pig would produce if sacrificed to the shrine of hunger, and this source of relief was tinged with doubt, from the careful •way in which Mr. Pig was washed down in the morning by the sailors. The sky now clearing up, everyone began to look for home and at the passing ships, seven of them being in view at once. The absorbing topic became “Will the Ladybird be at the wharf—won’t we be chaffed?” and so on, till at half-past three we were once more landed on the Wellington wharf, and thus ended our pleasant trip.