ADVENTUROUS TRIP.

Gisborne Times, Volume LVI, Issue 6320, 24 February 1922, Page 6

ADVENTUROUS TRIP.

FORTY-THREE HOURS FROM AUCKLAND TO GISBORNE.

THEN TENDER STICKS IN THE

MUD

Passengers from Auckland by the Arahiira yesterday morning had an unenviable and unpleasant trip, the journey from wharf to wharf, apart from occupying 43 hours, being not without incident. The vessel left Auckland at 3.45 p.m. on Tuesday, and experienced little trouble until rounding the Cape, when rough seas and heavy rain were met with. Despite the fact that there were passengers on board for that port, the vessel was unable to call at Tokomaru Bay, on account of the heavy, seas. The vessel, in fact, was never sighted from Tokomaru Bay, and residents of that place were ringing np Gisborne for information as to the steamer’s position. The vessel, incidentally, sent out no information until, in reply to a wireless from the local manager of the Union Coy., a message was sent stating that the Arahura would not put into Tokomaru Bay, and could not reach Gisborne until about 10.30 p.m. The latter statement, however, appears to have been somewhat sanguine, as the vessel did not reach the Bay until 7.10 yesterday morning. This, however, was not the end of the voyage nor of the incidents connected therewith. The tender was in the Bay when the Arahura arrived and the passengers, mails and luggage were transferred as usual. When entering the harbor, however, the Tuatea became stuck in the mud just below the signal station. Some considerable delay resulted, some of the passengers in the meantime being taken off by the Harbor Board launch Takitimu. Subsequently, another launch came to the assistance of the* unfortunate tender, and she was assisted to deeper water. On getting opposite the Harbor Board office the vessel again struck the mud, but on this occasion was extricated without any great delay or difficulty. By the time the passengers got ashore it was after 10.30, and without exception they were condemnatory in tlieir remarks concerning the difficulties of entering Gisborne.