RETURN OF THE WAIKARE. GREAT SUCCESS OF THE SOUNDS EXCURSION.

Evening Post, Volume LVII, Issue 24, 30 January 1899, Page 5

RETURN OF THE WAIKARE. GREAT SUCCESS OF THE SOUNDS EXCURSION.

MARVELLOUS MILFORD IMPRESSED ALL VISITORS. During her circumnavigation of Middle Island of New Zealand and exploration of the West Coast Sounds the Union Steam Ship Co.'s Waikare touched Wellington for a few hours yesterday. She is due at Lyttelton to-day, and then goes on to Port Chalmers, on reaching which port she will have covered over 1500 miles of water during her fortnight's cruise. The new waters steamed in this year that have not been touched on previous cruises included those of Stewart Island and the Pelorus and Queen Charlotte Sounds, and the whole voyage is spoken of in the highest terms of praise by all who had the j pleasure of taking part in it. The 39th trip (22nd season of the Union Co.'s steamers to West Coast Wonderland started from Port Chalmers on the evening of the 17th inst., and the pessimist, who ever starts his excursions with a doleful doubt, was able to give full play to his pessimism on the first night out, as owing to thick weather it was found necessary to anchor off Tairoa Heads all night. On the fog lifting Paterson's Inlet (Stewart Island) was made in 12 hours. In the evening the first of many excellently-arranged and most enjoyable dances was held, the music being supplied by the Neapolitan Students' String Quartet. At 4 o'clock next morning a" start was made for the Bluff, where a few hours later the Australian contingent of tourists were welcomed, the cry of " All aboard!" sounding at 7.30 a.m., when the excursion began in earnest, the day being spent in Paterson's Inlet, along whose shores many picnic, fishing, sketching, and photographing parties devoted themselves seriously to their pleasurp-making. By 5 o'clock the steamer was under way for Preservation Inlet, which was entered on the 20th, Long Sound and Cuttle Cove being the chief places of interest during the day, which ended with a dance. Heavy weather and rain next day resulted in Captain Richardson discovering a new anchorage in Cascade Cove, which Everyone found a most picturesque locality. The rainy weather brought out the full social qualities of the Waikare coimnunity, and the result was that the in-ship sports and pastimes made the time pass right merrily. All the wet weather ended with that of the 21st, and the rest of the voyage was continued under perfect meteorological conditions. On the 22nd Wet Jacket Arm, Doubtful Sound Arm providing another new anchorage), Hall's Ann, and Gear Arm were each passed, and the day concluded with a sacred concert.' At 8 o'clock on the morning of the 23rd the peaceful waters of George Sound were anchored in, and until noon keen' and exciting aquatic sports were indulged in, the ladies taking no small part in the programme. After this, the afternoon was spent ashore picnicking, and in the evening a regatta ball was held, which will long be remembered by participants. Next day physical enjoyment gave place to that of the mental powers, for when the voyagers came on deck the first glimpse of marvellous Milford met their gaze. 'It is impossible to describe Milford Sound," said one of the party to the writer, " for when you have said all about it, you have said nothing that will convey the picture to another. Even a photograph tails to do this. To know Milford it must be seen." The two days spent exploring this waterway were voted all too short. On the first day a party of 40, including 15 ladies, journeyed to the Sutherland Palls, camping for the night and returning to the steamer next day. So glowing a picture of the famous falls did the party bring back that many who had feared to climb regretted that they had not chanced it. Before leaving a fine display of fireworks was given under Bowen Palls. On the evening of the 25th the Waikare I was steaming for Pelorus Sounds, a progressive euchre party whiling away a portion of the time. Next day the steamer stood off Greymouth, and along this portion of the coast a grand sight of Mount Cook was obtained, in pertect weather. Pelorus Sound was reached on the 27th, and the day was spent by a large party |in fishing, blue cod being "numerous sufferers." On the evening of that day occurred the function of functions, and the ship's .company excelled itself in a lavish display of hospitality. At the call of a special deputation a gathering was held in the saloon under the presidency of Dr. Hays. First, the Chairman called upon Mrs. Mylius to present the trophies won at the regatta, and then, speaking on behalf of the passengers, Dr. Hays thanked the captain and the ship's company for all the pleasure given, and congratulated the Union Company upon its success and management in the matter of the Sounds excursion. The Chairman concluded amidst applause by reading a copy of a telegram which was to be sent next day to the Dunedin office. The message reads — "Arrived, all well, after most enjoyable trip. Heartily congratulate Company on peifect arrangements made for our comfort. We desire to express , our appreciation of the untiring I efforts of captain, officers, and crew, for our entertainment." At 8.30 o'clock next morning (Saturday) the Waikare dropped anchor off Picton, and the day was spent by some ashore watching ' a local cricket match, whilst another party went by special train to Blenheim, returning in the evening. At the invitation of the Wellington office of the Union Company a representative of the Evening Post journeyed to Picton on Saturday afternoon by the Tarawera, and joined the party on the Waikare. Picton was reached at 10 o'clock, and immediately on the arrival of the Tarawera the Waikare made an aquatic display altogether unique to onlookers afloat or ashore. Towed by the ship's two steam launches, the eight excursion boats carried by the Waikare, and filled with a lively company, went through a series of evolutions and gyrations rouryl an anchored boat and the two steamers to the strains of bagpipes and fiddle and harp. Suddenly the anchored boat — winch was screened in ferns and lighted, as were all the other boats and launches, with transparent lanterns — was seen to apparently burst into flames, and a series of realistic explosions followed. The fine effect was caused by the burning of coloured lights, and the detonators were responsible for the explosions This was the signal for the beginning of a fine display of up-to-date (and apparently up to the sky) fireworks from the vv aikare, rockets, detonators, and other forms of "fiz-gigs" ascending from all parts of the vessel, and reverberating with many echoes along the Sounds. The rockets Were Melbourne-made, and of fine quality and jjower. When the Waikare had "ceased faring," the Tarawera began some "sky-larkings," and amid cheers took her departure for Sydney at 11 o'clock, having on board a party of the Waikare's Australian contingent of excursionists. After the fireworks display a dance was held on the Waikare, several visitors from Picton and neighbourhood taking part in it until midnight. At 10 o'clock yesterday morning the steamer left the Sound, via Tory Channel, for Wellington, arriving at the wharf at 2 o'clock in bhe afternoon, with everyone in the best of spirits, the Inspector of Health (Dr. Mackin) reporting the whole company to be, as it had been throughout the 1300-mile voyage, in tiptop health. The Wellington passengers, in saying farewell to Captain Richardson, expressed the sentiments .of all when they expressed their pleasure at having enjoyed "a most delightful cruise among the Sounds."