ARRIVAL OF THE SHIP CITY OF DUNEDIN, FROM GLASGOW.

Press, Volume XXVI, Issue 3379, 3 July 1876, Page 2

ARRIVAL OF THE SHIP CITY OF DUNEDIN, FROM GLASGOW.

On Saturday morning early, the signal of a ship from the southward was run up at the signal mast, and the immisratiou authorities were at once communicated with, as there was little dpubt of its proving to be the City of Dunedin, from Glasgow, with nearly 300 immigrants on board. lJetween 12 and 1 o'clock all doubt was removed, the "City's" cumber being-hoisted. As there was a very light air from the southward, there was little chance of the vessel's arriving at her anchorage without the assistance of steam power, and accordingly the smart little Akaroa steamed out to the ship; her services were accepted, and shortly after 2 p.m the ship was towed inside the Heads, and at 3 was safely anchored off the breakwater. It was about 2 when the Deputy-health Officer, Immigration Commissioners, and Customs authorities proceeded to the ship in the Customs' steam launch, and the s.s Jloa, with agentsj and others interested on board started about the same time. The ship was passed after a thorough inspection, and after a little delay, caused by the obstructive zeal of the second officer, who evidently looked on all visitors as wolves that it was expedient to keep from mixing witli the immigrants, the deck was gained. One saw at a glance all was well on board from the general cheerfulness,, and we wcie kindly welcomed by Captain liilgo.rir, the ship's commander. The City of Dunedin fs a wooden ship, belonging to Patrick Henderson and Co. of Gla-gow, and was here six years ago, under the command of Captain Whitson. Site Is a roomy vessel and behaves well at sea. The passage lias occupied ninety-seven days from Glasgow, and has been a fine weather one; in, fact, the captain complains that there was too little wind throughout. He (the captain) is.no stranger here, having been chief officer of the Agnes Muir, when that vessel visited our port. Proceeding to inspect the ship, we first visited the single girls' compartment. Mrs Campbell, the matron, seems to have entirely gained the confidence of the girls under her charge, who are 61 in number, and appear well adapted to the wants of the colony, being principally domestic servants. . Though hailing from a Scotch port, the majority of the girls are Irish. This division of the ship was in good order; but of course was seen to great disadvantage owing to the wretched day. Light was by no means abundant, but every precaution seems to hare been taken to preserve health, and the successful issue of the voyage—not ene passenger being ill-is a great credit to the surgeon superintendent, Dr W, Gilmour, who, although a new hand to Canterbury, is quite a veteran as far as bringing out immigrants is concerned, having made no less than seven voyages to the colonies as surgeon superintendent; and the way in which this genial gentleman was spoken of throughout the ship shows what a fitting person he is to occupy the position. The married people's compartment w>s decidedly the worst part of the ship, being rather close, and so dark that It took some time to discover that cleanliness had been scrupulously observed. Here again, through good management, no illness had occurred, for though one child, an infant six months idd, named John Dunphy, had died of bronchitis, we were told by the father that he waß so extr. mely weak from his birth that little hopes were ever; entertained of his reaching maturity. One birth aIBO took place on board on April sth, the infant being the son of a Mr and Mrs Sawyers. Of the 36 families in this division a large number were agriculturists, and, judging from their physique, should be useful immigrants. The single men's compartment was in good ] order, and seemed very comfortable, pleasing us better than any other part of" the vessel. There were about seventy in this division, a large proportion of which were farm laborers, most of them Irish, but with a fair spriukiing of both Scotch and English. The ship brought out 270 souis, equal,to237 statute adults, and we can say, without any exaggeration, that they are themost contented lot of immigrants it has been our lot to meet, everyone throughout the ship speaking in high terms of praise of the captain, surgeon-superintendent, and officers, and also of the quality-and abundance of the food provided. There is au admirable condenser j on board, one of Chaplin's patents, capable of making 300 gallons in twelve horn 6, and the galley arrangements seemed admirable. There has been no lack of fun on board, several entertainments having been given, and no doubt in after years many of the passengers by the City of Dunedin will look back with pleasure to their sojourn on board. The ship brings cargo consigned to Mr C. W. Turner. Mr March, the immigration officer, informs us that the immigrants will be all lauded to-day, and also that the applications for single girls are so numerous, that it would take double the number to supply them all. The captain and surgeon-superinten-d nt were both presented with testimonial, speaking most highly of their ability and kindness, and the former was presented with a ring, purchased !>V Bul Bcripiion. oa a mementool" the Toyage. The testimonials also testified to tin; great esteem in which Mr Adams, the chief officer, and all his subordinates were held, and was signed by nearly all on board. The single girls also presented the matron with a similar testimony of theirgoodwill, and we hear, have also presented her with a keepsake to remind her of them after separation. We append the captain's report of the passage:— Weighed anchor March 25th, and took our departu c from the land the day_ following; had light variable, winds till meeting with the N.E trades in lat 24deg, l:ng 21deg W, which 'proved to be very unsteady; sighted St Autonio (Cape de Verde) on the 18th of April; lost trades in lat sdeg N, long 25deer W; thence baffling wind" to crossing the equator on the 2fith of April, in long 21deg 40min W; picked up S.E trades in 3deg S, long 25deg 40min W, and lo*t them again in lat I9deg S. long 35deg30minW; thence baffling winds from S.S.E to S.S.W till reaching lat 35deg S. long 35deg W. when we got the first of the westerlies; passed the meridian of the C;ipe of Good Hope on May the 28th, and the meridian of Cape Leuwin on Friday June 16th; thence had moderate and light winds to making the Snares on Sunday, June 25th. Were off Otago Heads on the 2Gth, and experienced northerly and N.E winds till arrival off Lyttelton Heads, on July Ist. The following vessels were spoken during the voyngc: — March 28th. ship Adolphus, from New Orleans to Liverpool; April Bth, ship Jauet Gowan, Liverpool to Calcutta, fourteen days out; April llth, barque Allendale, from Sunderland to Singapore, twenty days out; April 25th. ship llarmonia, Bombay to Hull (sent letters home by ship).