THE HINEMOA'S VISIT TO THE SOUNDS.

Press, Volume XL, Issue 5755, 28 February 1884, Page 7

THE HINEMOA'S VISIT TO THE SOUNDS.

WELLINGTON, February 10. The Hinemoa, with his Excellency and party on board, arrived here last night from a visit to the West Coast Sounds. The following are the particulars of the trip : —The Hinemoa left the Bluff at daylight on the 27th January, those on board being his Excellency the Governor, Lady Jervois, Misses Jervois (2), and Hadfield (2), Rev. -Mr Jervois, Major Cautley, Dr. Hector and Major Eccles. After leaving the Bluff harbor the Hinemoa headed for Stewart Island and Patterson's inlet, Ports Adventure and Pegasus were visited in the order named. At each of these p.rts His Excellency and Major Cautley went ashore and made a minute examination of the several points in the various harbor**. This examination was finished on same day as leaving Bluff, and on that evening the Hinemoa's course was shaped for the West Coast Sounds, and arrived at Dusky Sound on the morning of the 28th. A close inspection of Dusky, Breaksea, Doubtful, Thompson's, Caswell, George's, and Milford Sounds, was made by the Governor and Major Cautly, while the ladies rambled on the hill and along the shore. It is understood that the nature of his Excellency's visit to the Sounds was not so much for pleasure, but that the Sounds will appear prominently in the report to be made of the defences of New Zealand. The Hinemoa left Milford Sound at seven o'clock on Thursday night, and arrived here as mentioned above. Four wet days were met in the trip, and while in Milford Sound Dr. Hector put out the gauge, and the rainfall for twenty hours registered > nearly eleven inches. The beauty of the Sounds was greatly admired, especially that of Milford Sound and Crooked Arm, which runs off from Doubtful Inlet. It may be mentioned that from the 24th January, when the Hinemoa left Wellington, until her arrival here last night ,Lady Jervois never left the vessel. While among the Sounds his ExceUency took the opportunity of visiting the CasweU Sounds Marble Company's quarries, and it ia understood that his opinion is not at all favorable to the works. The Hinemoa leaves for Auckland via Kawhia to-morrow night. For the last mentioned place she will take materials for building a sixroomed house for Major Tuke.