ARRIVAL OF THE R.M.S.S RIMUTAKA.

Press, Volume XLV, Issue 7122, 19 July 1888, Page 4

ARRIVAL OF THE R.M.S.S RIMUTAKA.

The Nev Zealand Shipping Company's splendid Royal Mail Steamer Rimutaka, Captain W. A. Turpin, arrived in our harbour yesterday morning from London via Plymouth, TeneriiFe, Capetown, Hobart, and Wellington. This fine vessel has signally distinguished herself on her last voyage as having delivered the mails at Wellington three days before her contract date \Ve have before commented on the admirable state in which these steamers come into port after a voyage, and this steamer is no exception, everything being in the pink of condition. Her officers are the same as last voyage—Chief. Mr Scr—by; second, Mr Croucher; third. Mr Buchanan; fourth, Mr Winchester. The engine-room is still presided over by Mr Dallas, Chief Engineer, who has associated with him Mr Pitcher as second; Mr Bell third ; Mr Smith fourth; Mr Parau fifth. To the flue state of tliis department the vessel is indebted for the sm_it passage recorded. For ten days in succession after leaving Capetown she averageid 337 miles a day. Our old friend Dr. A. M. Todd is surgeon, and, as is to be expected, the health of the passengers en route has been carefully studied, no sickness of any kind being reported. With the fine musical talent that is found in the ship's company^the passage has been very enjoyable with entertainments, & :c Captain W. A. Turpin has reason to be proud of his line vessel aud the whole ship's company. Mr Richard Jones, the purser, to whom we are indebted for the prompt delivery of files, &c, kindly favoured us with the following report of the passage out:—Left London at 4 p.m. on May 31st, and proceeded down the river to Gravesend, whe/e she anchored until the following morning, steaming thence to Plymouth, where she arrived at 2.30 a.m. on the 2nd June; embarked mails and passengers, and proceeded on her voyage at I p.m. the same day, arriving at Teneriffe at 5.15 am. on the 7th June: coaled and left for Capetown at 11 a-m., crossed the line on 13th June, and arrived at Capetown at 10.20 a.m. on the 22nd June, leaving again at —15 p.m. for Hobart, where she arrived at 10 p.m. on the 9th inst., and. left for Wellington the following day at noon, arriving at the Empire City at ne>on on July 14th, the passage being a fine one throughout. The .Rimut—_a brought seventy-three passengers to the colony and ~10 sacks mails. She discharged 600 tons of cargo at Wellington, and has 360 tons to discharge here. She goes on to PortChalmers on Friday at noon, for which port she has 530 tons cargo. She was moored to the Xo. 7 wharf at noon yestereiay. THE PASSAGE HOM-, The Eimutaka left Wellington for London on April sth. The trip was a most pleasant one, and one that will be long remembered by all the passengers. Upon the -vessel's arrival at Gravesend, Mr Justice Johnston proposed a vote of thanks to the captain and officers for their united exertions in doing so much to make the passage so enjoyable. In his speech he said that one and all wonld long remember the kindness they had received on board. Dr. A. M. Todti, in the unavoidable absence of the captain, replied in suitable terms to the vote, which wtis unanimously passed. We may say in conclusion that the skill of the surgeon was tried pretty considerably on the homeward passage, there being a number of people in ill-health, but, thanks to the unremitting attention and care bestowed, London saw one and all greatly improved.