THE ALBATROSS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXI, Issue 7189, 1 December 1884, Page 5

THE ALBATROSS.

lestebday morning the German sloop-of-war Albatross —an old friend at this port— came into harbour from tho Samoan Group, where she has been stationed for the past three months. The trip from Apia bas proved a .rapid aud pleasant one. The object of the AlbatrOßs's visit here .is to obtain "a lay" of some four or five weeks for the recreation of her officers and crew, after their lengthy. stay in a more northern climate. . Since last hero in 1877 the Albatross has done a large amount of work, and yet she looks as trim and yacht-like as upon her first visit, cleanliness and order having been evidently tbo fj'rst aim of all on board. It will be remembered that not long' since the Albatross received her new officers and crew at Sydney, they having been sent out from the fatherland by one of the numerous vessels now running from Germany to Australia, and her old crew was by the same route taken home, consequently all the officers—excepting her commander—are new to Auckland. Thoir names are as follows :—Commander PHlddemann ; Oapitain-liieutenant, Graf von Bandisain; Lieutenants, Randewig, Schroder, and Sass ; Surgeon, Dr. Schneider. Those who now visit us have hrard of the beauties of our climate, Ac, from their predecessors, and therefore they'are naturally anticipating a pleasant sojourn amongst us, and already visits are planned to the farfamed Hot Lakes, 4c, anxious enquiries being made, as to the means of reaching them. That the Albatross pays us her visit for this purpose may be regarded as a good testimony of the attraction of our place and the reputation of bur industries too, as the fitting out of the vessel here is always connected with the sojourn. Particulars of the passage,■ &c, "will be found in our shipping columns. - -