THE HAWEVS EXCURSION TO THE WEST COAST SOUNDS.

Grey River Argus, Volume 21, Issue 2936, 11 January 1878, Page 2

THE HAWEVS EXCURSION TO THE WEST COAST SOUNDS.

From an extract from the Hawea's log, kindly placed at our (Dunedin Star) disposal by Mr Scott, her purser, we gather the following particulars regarding the excursion : - *• The steamer sailed from Port Chalmers on Sunday, the 23rd ult, and arrived at her first port of call, Preservation Inlet, the following afternoon, casting anchor in the cove of known as . ' Otago Retreat. ' After landing a few tons of supplies at the light-house for the benefit of those whose duty it is to attend to the beacon, the anchor was weighed and the vessel went aB far up the sound as Cuttle Cove, where she remained for the night. Early n<xt_ morning atrip was made to the head of the sound, and, after a short stay there, during which the excursionists were enabled to stretch their legs ashore, the steamer was. again gofc under way and headed for Chalky Sound, arriving about tea-time. The following forenoon was spent in cruising about the inlet, and after dinner a start waß made for Dasky Sound, which was reached at 7 o'olock, the anchor being cast ie Supper Cove. Heavy rain set in during the night, bat the morning of the 27th broke fine, and aB soon as breakfast had be e n discussed the engines were started. H*lf an hour afterwards the ve3tel was brought up to give the passengers a run ashore, andat 1.30 they embarked again aud were taken up Wet Jacket Arm and Broughton Arm, the steamer eventually anchoring in Beach Harbor for the night. At the first peep of d_>y on the 28th a start was made for Snu^ Cove, which was xeached ia time for . breakfast, after which Smith Sound and Bradshaw Sound were explored. The vessel lay at anchor inDeas Cove all nuht, and early on the morning of the 29fch sha sailed for Caswell Sound. George Sound and Bligh Sound were also visited during the dav. The bustle caused by getting under way roused all hands from th«i> bunks at 4 n'clpck nert morning- thjj brought her to the entrance, and then the engines were 'slowed' until Freshwater Basin was reached, which was three or four hours later. Here every facility was given to the tourists Co enjoy themselves, which was taken full of advantage. Some took the ship's boats and whiled away the time in catching fish, others struggled through the thick undergrowth in search of something to get a shot at, while others found pleasure in sketching the wonderful scenery of tbe inlet. At 4 o'clock in the afternoon of the 31st the passengers were recalled on board, and after a brief stay in Anita Bay the Hawea steamed out of the Sound and a course was shaped for home. She landed some of her- excursionists at the Blufi: yesterday afternoon, and then pushed on for Taiaroa Heads, arriving at Port Chalmers this morning at 6 15 o'lock. The weather throughout was generally fine." ' 6