THE RICHMOND'S CRUISE.

Auckland Star, Volume XXI, Issue 217, 13 September 1890, Page 4

THE RICHMOND'S CRUISE.

Afberanobher successful South Sealsland trip the steamer Richmond, 840 tons, Capt. Hutton, arrived in port from Samoa, Tahibi, Rarotonga, and Tonga ab 2 a.m. to-day, with passengers and a very full cargo, and berthed as usual at the Railway Wharf. Her tropical freighb includes large consignments of oranges, bananas, cocoanuts, cotton, pearlshell, etc. Of the round trip of the steamer, which occupied 37 days, Mr 0. Latchmore, purser, says :—" On leaving Auckland on the 6th of Augusb we had strong S.E. winds and heavy seas until arrival ab Tonga, which was reached on bhe 11th at 5 p.m.. We discharged cargo and lefb next afternoon ab 3 o'clock for Apia, Samoa, taking with us forty - two Rarotongan natives as passengers, who were returning to their homes, after a twelve-months' engagement in Tonga. Wearrived ab Apia on bhe 15th. Sbillhaving to contend against very rough weather from Tonga, we resumed our voyage on the 17bh ab 5 p.m., called ab Rarotonga on the 21st, We arrived ab Papeete (Tahibi) on the 24th, at 5 p.m., and iound things very brisk, four large French men-of-war being at anchor in the harbour. We discharged live stock j

and cargo, and on the 27th steamed round to Tautira, where we commenced loading our return cargo, consisting of oranges, pearl .hell, cocoanuts, etc., finally leaving Tahiti on tho 29th at noon. We again called at Rarotonga on the 2nd September and continued our loading, with coffee, cotton, etc., leaving for Tonga on the 4_h at noon. Tonga was reached after a pleasant passage of four days, on the Bth, at 7 a.m. Here we finished our loading wibh bananas, leaving finally for Auckland same day, at 4 p.m. Arrived here after a smart passage of under 4£ days from Tonga."