FIFTY YEARS AGO

Evening Post, Volume CXV, Issue 123, 27 May 1933, Page 23

FIFTY YEARS AGO

The s.s. Albion, which was at one time a celebrity as the "crack" vessel of Messrs. MeMeckan and Blackwood's licet was sold to Sydney buyers lit'ty years ago. She ran frequently between New Zealand and Melbourne, maintaining tho good 'average of about four and a half days. A telegram from Christchureh, published in "The Post" of May 21, 1883, stated that the lighting of Lyttelton Harbour by means of electricity had been formally inaugurated. It was stated that Lyttelton was the first harbour in New Zealand to adopt electric light. While being towed to sea from 'Westport tli e Union Company's Omaperc went aground on the bar. The mishap occurred at 10 o'clock at night. Tho Mahinapua, which was doing tho towing, also bumped hard, and the towrope had to be cut. The Omaperc stuck Laid tii_iCl fast and was gradually, clrhx'P

into the surf to the north of the chani nel. Her coal cargo was jettisoned. On I the day following tho accident a hawser was got aboard the Omupcre. but it parted, and attempts to shift I her were without avail. On tho see- ! ond day it was reported that sho was j high and dry. at low water, and could bo walked round dry-footed. Strenuous efforts at last resulted in moving the vessel at high tide, and she was eventually shifted off. As far as could be ascertained no damage was suffered, barring a slight straining of her timbers which, however, did not let water. Tho excursionists who left Wellington in the s.s. Waihi for the Terawhiti goUlficld did not seem to have an enjoyable time of it, stated "The Post." The Queen's Wharf was left at 10 a.m., but it was 4 p.m. before the 15 to CO passengers reached shoro at; Terawhiti. She left on the return journey about 8 p.m.—minus a party who had decided that return to the city on horseback would be more desirable than the Waihi at midnight. The Government schooner Kekcno Teturned to tho Bluff on May 2(5, ISS3, from a cruise for the prevention, of sealing during tho close season. She made an extensive tour of the southern regions, bad weather being experienced almost throughout. •