THE POSTAL DELEGATES.

Auckland Star, Volume XXV, Issue 68, 20 March 1894, Page 5

THE POSTAL DELEGATES.

A HARBOUR EXCURSION.

Thanks bo bhe admirable arrangemenba of His Worship the Mayor (Mr J. J. Holland) and bhe Chairman of the Harbour Board (Mr Adam Porter), bhe delegates to the Postal Conference are likely to bear wibh bhem bo Ausbralia bhe pleasanbesb memories of their lasb hours in Maoriland. Bobh Mr Holland and Mr Porber are wideawake bo the importance of making our city known to such distinguished visitors as those who have just been with us during the last day or two, ao they determined yesterday afternoon thab the delegates should not leave us without having formed some adequate idea of the beauties of bhe ciby by the Waitemata. Accordingly, though the time ab their disposal was very brief, they hastily organised a waber excursion, and senb invitations to the visitors and their friends, Lord and Lady^Glasgow and suite, bo tbe principal merchants of the city, and of course the members of the bwo bodies over which they preside. His Excellency the Governor, Lady Glasgow and suite senb an apology this morning signifying bheir regret ab nob being able to take parb in the excursion owing to the short time bhey had for making their arrangements for their Raratongan.trip* The other ladies and gentlemen responded to the invitation in full force this morning at ten o'clock a party of 115 left the wharf in the s.s. Waiotahi, which had been chartered for the trip. The question arose at the outseb in whab direcbion bhe steamer should proceed and while this matber was under discussion, the vessel steamed up the harbour bill ib wae opposite Ponsonby. From that poinb the visitors had a good view of bhe city, and it was then decided bhab bhey should be shown the Hauraki Gulf and the islands which stud it. Accordingly the steamer was pub aboub, and headed for Brown's Island. During the passage down the harbour, the visitors were loud in their expressions of praise of the panorama revealed to them. On all hands onecould hear admiringexclamations, comparisons between Auckland Harbourand thab of Wellington were frequent, and many were the spectators from Australia who gave the palm ungrudgingly to the Waitemata. The North Head and Rangitoto were rapidly passed, and there were many willing "natives" to point out to the visitors the beauties of the scene, if they could have failed bo see bhem aba firsb glance, Foremosb among the cicerones were Messrs Holland and Porter, bhe genial promoters of the excursion, who were everywhere endeavouring to make the trip agreeable to tbe visitors. After Motuihi had been left behind the vessel came to anchor on the well - known fishingground opposite to Home Bay, Motutapu, and some twenty or so of the party cast their lines. The fish were about and in about forty minutes some three hundred were landed, the ladies being amongst the most successful fishers. Our Australian friends evinced the greatest enthusiasm in the sport, and when the time came to weigh anchor several of them pleaded thab they misrhb be allowed a tew minutes more, The sporb had seemingly rendered them oblivious of bho fact bhab they had to leave the teeming waters for Australia at five o'clock. The respite could not, however, be granted them and the order was given to draw in lines. The resulb of the sporb— some three hundred fish were caughb in the short time—was the subject of good humoured discussion while the Waiotahi eteamed round Motutapu on ber homeward voyage. The amusement afforded by the fishing was keenly relished by the Visitors, and left an impression on .their minds of tho great wealth we have in our waters. The trip round the ocean side of Motutapu and Rangitoto opened new series of views to the party, and when the Rangitoto Channel had been threaded and the wharf came in sighb the expressions of pleasure were again renewed. From the wharf the delegates proceeded to their respective hotels—some thirty ot the party going to the Star and others to the Grand Hotel.