H.M.S. ESPIEGLE AT TIMARU.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1140, 16 February 1884, Page 3

H.M.S. ESPIEGLE AT TIMARU.

Last Thursday was a red letter day in Timaru, owing to one of Her afajesty's man-of-war ships—the Espieale—having visited it. This is the first man-of-war that has visited Timaru for the last quarter of a century, and her visit cannot be looked upon otherwise than as a matter of great importance to the port, as the fact'that so large a ship has been moored inside the Breakwater is calculated to make owners of vessels believe in the safety of the port. So far as we can ascertain the Oamaru people are very jealous on account of this visit. Since it became known that the vessel was coming to Timaru they have kept pestering her Captain with telegrams aski/ig him to visit Oamaru, but he hts had to refuse na he was under orders to proceed to the Bluff. The vessel came into Timaru on Thursday morning, and was moored under the lee of the Breakwater at about 11.30 a.m. The Espiegle is a barque rigged steamer of 1430 tons reg ; ster, and is comparatively new, having been built in 1881. She carries, six guns and 160 men, all told. Shortly after her arrival she was boarded by members of the Harbor Board, the Mayor and a few others, who after having made an inspection of her

returned dshore. The vessel was 'hen thrown opeu for public inspection, and during the day until about four o'clock boatmen were kept at it as hard pa they couH go in taking people off to her, but notwithstanding that there were a large number of boatß plying mauy were unable to get nbnard. The officers and crew were most courteous and extremely willing to give any information to any visitor without any regard to rank or position. While the general public were inspecting the ship another interesting ceremony was going on in the Ship Hotel where a banquet was held in honor of the occasion. At this there were about 60 persons present, the Mayor being in the chair. The good things having been done justice to the following coasts were proposed:—'The Queen,' proposed by His Worship the Mayor ; ' The Army and Navy,' coupled with the names of Major Bamfield, Captain Woollcombe, and Captain Hame'sley, proposed by Mr Acton ; 'The Health of the Captain and Officers of the proposed by Mr Turnbull and responded to by Captain Bridge ; ' The House of Representatives,' coupled with the name of Mr Turnbull, proposed by Mr Talbot; * The Harbor Board,' coupled with the names of Messrs Moody and Goodall ; 'The Borough Council,' 'The Trade and Commerce,' 'The Harbor Maßter,' and 'The Press,' all of which were duly honored. The Company separated about 3.30, and r>n hour later the vessel was under weigh for Port Chalmers and the Bluff.