ARRIVAL OF THE SHIP LANCASHIRE WITCH.

Press, Volume XII, Issue 1474, 30 July 1867, Page 2

ARRIVAL OF THE SHIP LANCASHIRE WITCH.

The following is the report of the voyage of the ship Lancashire Witch, Captain George King, from London :—

This vessel, which belongs to Liverpool, Bailed from the East India docks, London, on April 2, 1867; on the 18th of the same month sailed from abreast Edminston lighthouse, having been detained by head winds and .bad weather in. tlie. Channel. Crossed the equator on the 15th May in longitude 25 degs. 42 mins. Wv The «beridi&n_of Greenwich was crossed on June 5 in 42 degs. 18 mins. S. latitude. Stormy weather was experienced off the Cape of Good Hope ; from thence a succession of bead I '-and contrary winds have been met. On Tuesday, July 23, when ofTtH© Shares, a heavy thunder-storm' took place; the, vessel was struck forward. Captain King- .describes' The- 1 report "ire- 5 that similar to the explosion of a cannon, but the vessel did- not sustain any -material injury/ Made Banks Peninsula dn the 24th instant; had head winds from that point, and; arrived l in this harbour and dropped anchor at nine a.m. yesterday, tlie 29th. The Lancashire Witch brings a large number ©f cabin-pas- ;- eengers and immigrants, all of whom are reported in good health. One of the crew (a sailmaker), named Peter Jackson, died on the 14th instant from lung disease ; and two births ore entered in the: log On the. passage. Capt.. King speaks most favourably of the conduct of the immigrants throughout the voyage. - A few days previous to arrival in this port Captain King received the followitfg letters from the passengers, thanking him for his imiforxor kmdtressandrourte3y t—- - y

** Ship Lancashire Witch, off Ninety-mile " Beach, New Zealand, Ju'y 25, 1867. "To Captain- Kino.

"Dear Sir, —We the undersigned, passengers of the ship Lancashire Witch on her outward passage from London to Canterbury, New Zealand, beg to thauk you for your kindness to lis during the voyige, and the manner in which you have maintained order and regularity on board without making it irksome tpvus. ■-~••• 'ii

" We beg you will convey our thanks to Mr Peat and; Mr-Thompson for their courteous behaviour to us, and, that unvaried cheerfulness which. has added much to our happiness.

"We are very sorry that we cannot congratulate you on a quiok passage; but eighteen day. spent in the English Channel was a bad starty and the incessant variable winds Brace we passed the Cape of Good Hope have of course prolonged the voyage beyond 110 days.

" Wishing Airs King, you, and the boys a very quick and prosperous voyage home,

" Wo remain, yours very truly, " (Signed by all the cabin passengers)."

"We, the undersigned, on behalf of the second-class and steerage passengers on board, before separating ourselves from you are desirous of expressing our thankfulness to you and your officers, Messrs Peat and Thompson, for your kindness and attention to us during the voyage. " We are sorry that we cannot congratulate you on a speedy passage—but head winds, in the English Channel, baffling and light winds aincer leaving tie Cape of Good Hope, have prevented us from realising so quick a voyage as we anticipated. *' We filso ■wish, to convey our t"han_s to tlie owners of the t.unpashire Witch" for favouring us with so noble, a _hip to carry us safely over tho stormy ocean.

" In conclusion, we beg to present to Mrs King and 'famflyoiir best wishes for tlnirfutura welfare''and" safety, and'we'hbp'o that they may long bo spared to conduce to your

happiness and the comfort of your long voyages." (Signed by the second-cabin and steerage passengers.) The following reply was received from ■ 'aptain King : —

" Ship Lancashire Witrh, " July 27, ISG7. "To Mr Thomas U. Chadwick, and others representing the gpcond-class and steerage passenger?, on board this ship.

"Gentlemen,—fn acknowledgment of the very kind address with which you have been pleased to present mc this day, I beg to hand you my beet thanks, and to assure you that it •ilways gives mc great satisfaction to know that my passengers, are. pleased with their treatment during their passage. I am very proud to thank you for the good opinion you entertain of my officers, for you only express my sentiments in stating that they have always conducted themselves in a courteous and gentlemanlike manner, and strictly'attended, to the duties of the ship. "I shall not fail-to embrace the earliest opportunity of presenting to the owners of this ship your thanks and kind remarks, although I feel myself inadequate ta the task of acknowledging the high compliment you have been pleased to tender them. As you remark, the passage has been a long one ; for the many years that I have been ploughing the waters I have never encountered worse weather than we experienced in the English Channel; and our run from tho meridian of Greenwich to the Port has been so protracted that, hnd n feeling of disgust and weariness prevailed on board, I could not have censured any one. "It gives mc great pleasure in acknowledging your kind regards on behalf of my wife and family. Mrs King joins with mc in wishing you every prosperity in the new world, and that a kind Providence may grant you success in all your endeavours, and give to each and all health, wealth, and happiness.

"I remain, gentlemen, " Your obedient servant, " George Kino, . " Master ship Lancashire Witch."