BEAUTIES OF MILFORD

Evening Post, Volume CXXI, Issue 35, 11 February 1936, Page 6

BEAUTIES OF MILFORD

MONOWAI'S GKUISE

MAGNIFICENT. SCENERY

Entranced with the glories of M/Jlford Sound, 340 passengers returned, to Wellington on Saturday on the M'/vnowai after a most successful cruis/e to this world-famous Sound.

From the time of leaving Wellington on Tuesday evening until the »Monowai's return the weather was fftl that could be desired. The run deevn the West Coast was lull of interest, some excellent views of the coastline being obtained. Greymouth was pg.ssed suf- i flciently close to enable the teirge num-1 ber of residents who had gathered on I the breakwater to wave to, passengers on board. Milford Sound was reac/hed by 6.45 a.m. on Thursday, and passengers were Up betimes to catch a,'first glimpse of the towering cliffs bc^dering the entrance. Slowly the $iip nosed her way into the entrance /little more than a quarter of a mile w.V/ie, and in a few short minutes was hemmed in by cliffs rising 4000 to 5000 f'set sheer from the water's edge. The /clouds had not yet lifted; —they lay rig'/i.t across the Sound and stretching up ihe granite faces of the cliffs. As tbfc rising sun played upon them the^ were transformed from a dull grey nnto a dazzling white. A- turn in the /channel brought into view the Palisatles, through a cleft of Which flows tte Stirling Fall, whose actual magnitude is so dwarfed by the mighty surroundings that it is difficult to believe/ it is 505 feet high. Owing to 'tiie recent heavy rains there were .numerous waterfalls falling in a ttein white line down the cliffs, others' disappearing in mist and spray half-w-ay down. Winding her way onwaDfls the Monowai passed Mt. Kimberleyi on the left hand, whose massive bulk rose 4290 feet unbroken by shelf of any kind, past the precipitious Lion Rock and Harrison Cove. This ba}/ lies at the foot of the ravine formed /between the back of the Lion and Mfc Pembroke (6710 feet), near whose/summit could be seen the Pembroke/ Glacier, dazzling in its whiteness in the morning sun. A. /surprise awaited the passengers here, when the formidable outline of H.MJS. Wellington was observed lying at anchor. The Monowai finally came to /rest opposite the glorious Bowen F.afts. After breakfast additional zest wafe given to the already thrilling nWrning by passengers being taken ajs/nore to view Mitre Peak and all me other beauties of the 'Sound from' a' different angle. ; From the Government accommodation house, where once stood the shack of Donald Sutherland, the hardy pioneer known as the Hermit of Milford, they gazed upon what is undoubtedly one of the world's most majestic sights. The Monowai left Milford Sound about 2 p.m., every vantage point being crowded with passengers eager to get a last glimpse of the majestic scenery.

The return part of the journey was completed in splendid weather. Deck games, a gymkhana, talkie- pictures, community singing, and a treasure hunt culminating on Friday night in a most successful gala dinner and fancy dress ball, completed a memorable cruise. This latter event was held in Tenyson Inlet, Pelorus Sound, which was reached by about 4 p.m. on Friday. During the evening occasion was taken by the Rev. H. K.'Vickery, of Auckland, on behalf :of the passengers, to thank Captain Davey, his officers, and staff for. the efficient manner in which they . had been, looked after* on the ; cruise.