THE WAIRARAPA EXCUSRION.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1194, 21 June 1884, Page 3

THE WAIRARAPA EXCUSRION.

The following letter, written by an excussionist on the Wairarapa, Ins been received at Auckland ‘ per the Ptneuin ’ : —The Wairarapa left Auckland at 3 p.m. on Wednesday, June 4th. She had thick weather, with strong head winds and heavy cross sea until Saturday, afterwards light winds and fine weather. Mount Washington, in the Island of Kandavau, was sighted on Saturday, at daybreak, and during the afternoon she made Viti Levu, the main island of the group. Passed several coral islets, waving with cocoanvt palms, the excursionists all on deck, admiring the novel scenery and the fantastic grouping of the volcanic mountains in the interior. Passed the island of Inbegox, and at 2 p.m. anchored within the Barrier reef at Suva, after a passage of three days 22 hours from Auckland, including a detention of one hour in Kandavau Passage to pick up a derelict boat, found bottom up. Suva is a European town of about 500 inhabitants, ami is tin-, political capital of Fiji. We found 11.11.5. Espiegle anchor in the bay, and the Union Company's steumsrs Hero and Penguin at the wharf. The latter, which started from Auckland a day before us, anticipated our arrival by only one hour, and reports the worse passage she has experienced for twelve months. After anchoring, the e f eam launch and the ship’s boats were got into water, and conveyed the excursionists ashore, where they spent the afternoon amongst the palm groves on the beach, or wandering through the dense vegetation covering the hills at the hack. On Monday they explored the Rewi river. Breakfast was ready at 5 «.m., and a start was made at G. The steam launch in charge of a pilot, towing seven ships’ boats, proceeded within the Barrier reef ten miles to the Rewi month, thence fifteen miles up the river to the sugar miles. They returned in tow of a steamer lent by the Sugar Company, the launch having grounded. The passengers were delighted with the river scenery and Ilia 1 glimpses of native life obtained on the banks. The tow back by moonlight was wonderfully beautiful. After dining on board, went ashore to see Fijians dance the ‘ Meke ’ on the beach. On Tuesday some visited Savahus, a native village up the river of same name; others went to the leef. In the evening, the European residents of Suva entertained the visitors at a ball iu the Government Buildings. On Wednesday, June 11th, the Wairarana moved on to Levnka, m 100 island of Ovalau. Passed the wreck of the ship Syria, the hull and bowsprit of which only were standing, and the breakers cascading over her. At noon entered Levuka Harbor. The reef on each side of the narrow gap through which we passed was beautifully defined, and i showed a variety of brilliant colors in ■ tke sunlight. We leave for Taranui and

Mango on Fii■ ■v, thence to Samoa. Throughout the Group much interest is fiskpn in the Wamirapa expedition, and the visitors are feted at each port of call. The weather since making the islands has been beautifully fine' and not too hot, the thermometer seldom reaching 80 degrees.