ARRIVAL OF THE FIRST WOOL SHIP IN POVERTY BAY.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume III, Issue 223, 18 November 1874, Page 2

ARRIVAL OF THE FIRST WOOL SHIP IN POVERTY BAY.

The town of Gisborne was in a state of excitement on Saturday last owing to a report being rife that t He Queen Bee was in the offing; messengers were despatched by the Harbor Master to the heighths facing the peninsula to ascertain her whereabouts ; the steam launch was held in readiness, and various other preparations macle, but the report only proved a canard. On Sunday morning, about 6 a.m., the Queen Bed was descried, and the Harbor Master was busy stirring up those who were concerned in the boarding, and arrival of the vessel. TheLily.withhersteam up, all ready for a start, at 7 o’clock, away she went, chuff, chuff, chuffing over the placid waters of lhe Bay, as yet unruffled by the breeze. Having reached a mile or so beyond the outer buoy, everyone on board the launch seemed to wake up, as a bit of “ a swell” was experienced, and the voyageurs immediately commenced to expatiate upon the “lovely prospect,” “the green grass on the hills,” Life and Fire Assurance,” &c., “ repudiation of Victorian Company,” “ Lloyd’s Agents,” “ British and Foreign Consuls,” “ Collectors,” “ Health Officers,” “ Pilots,” “ Tide Waiters,” “ Banks,” “ capabilities of the district,” benefit of having ships from, and loading direct for, home,” &c., &c., &e., when, 10l a little breeze from the S.E. was seen moving upon the face of the water, and then a little “ curl ”or “ feather.” Pilot sung put “ keep her off,” and our Lily appeared to lay in the trough of the sea, but really was floating as pleasantly as in a river. Suddenly one was seen leaning over the side as if holding an animated discussion with old Father Neptune, when some wag (wags are everywhere) facetiously enquired—“ Holloa there 1 are your bunkers full ?” and the reply came woefully, “ No, no. only discharging ballastthat little pleasantry over, we arrived alongside of the Queen -Bee. Espied some local friends on board ; passed usual salutations; and was most cordially received by Captain Burch. The Queen Bee had been backing and filling off and on since dusk on Saturday, some distance beyond Nick’s Head, firing guns, &c., but the breeze being from off the land Gisborne heard not. She left Napier on Thursday hist, and had light baffling winds all the way, and brings about. 200 tons goods direct from home. On returning to shore a little friendly badinage passed between the launch and pilot boat, which were racing, the former piling on “ the slack," producing dense volumes, and the latter giving way, manned by four sturdy oarsmen ; the victory lay, in this instance, with muscle against steam. We trust, the Queen Bee’s arrival may prove the forerunner of many similar visits, and effectually aid in the advancement of the trade of our neglected district ; may it also prove a great success to the promoters. (Communicated.)