THE EXCURSION TRIP BY RIVER.

Waikato Times, Volume X, Issue 709, 2 January 1877, Page 3

THE EXCURSION TRIP BY RIVER.

LAUNCH OF THE STEAMER WAIPA. The steamed Waikato left Hamilton yesterday morning with a large number of excursionists on board intending to picnic at Taupiri. ,On the way there she put in at Ngaiua'wahia at a quarter past ten o'cloik and in a,quarter'of an- bour ithe new steamer, built by Mr Alexander Nicolfor tWWaikato 8N Co was afloat. The arrangements were wellt made and she slid from the ways easily find gracefully, and as - her bows clave'the water wos baptised 1 - with the custcmary bottle -of thampaigne by'the officiating priestess j : Miss Nicol, who named her "Waipa." The vessel is a very commodious ard ~ handsome one, measuring. 110 -feet from stem to stern* with a beam of 17 feet 6 h-ches, drawing now, without machinery, ■• a bore six < inches of> water, She is built ■ with a sponson deck projecting right round, tapering from the bows till it ' reaches'6ft amidehips.andoffagainte 3ftab - the stern j which is rounded. She looked - a pretty model, with just sheer enough to give gracefulness to her lines. It is - calculated that with all her machinery in and-60 tonfljqf cargo, Bhe will not draw inches. After the launch, •\l cntimpagoe lunch was held, when FUcijeftrto the r.ew vessel and her enteri prising.owners, -as well as to ber builder, ■ who has launched the first steamer on the - waters of «the upper Waikato,-'was 'drunk •' by those present* A number of exoursionisfs joined the party at Ngaruawahia and went on to Taupiri. The' Rev Heta TeraWhiti gave . permission to land at the..mission station, •where there is plenty of shelter, and the : party enjoyed themselves amazingly. At half.past seven o'clock the whistle-of the * Waikato' was again heard in Hamilton, ■ and the party returned after- spending a very enjoyable day.