KAURI TIMBER FOR AFRICA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 9455, 10 March 1894, Page 1 (Supplement)

KAURI TIMBER FOR AFRICA.

The voyage of the barquentine Chittoor, which sailed last Wednesday, is regarded with much interest by mill-owners and others engaged in the timber business on the banks of the Waitoa and Kaipara Har-

bour. Bound in the first place for Capetown, the Chittoor has aboard 90,000 feet of well-dressed and finely-grained kauri, and the same quantity for the Mauritius, prepared and dressed at the Kauri Timber Company's mills, Aratapu. This being a trial cargo, and the first sent to African shores, was entrusted to Captain Rive, one of the most experienced captains engaged in the timber trade in the Australian Colonies. The names of the charterers are for the present withheld, but it is understood, should the Chittoor cargo prove remunerative, it will shortly after be followed by others. Mauritius is selected as one of the

ports, the island having not long ago experienced a severe hurricane, many houses, it is said, being levelled to the ground. At all events, it is conjectured the timber will prove acceptable to the inhabitants, and profitable to the spirited owners. It is worthy of notice in the trading career of the Chittoor, that she experienced the full force of the gale which proved so fatal to the Northern Star, now covered with sand at the Southern Heads. During his long nautical career Captain Rive seldom or never experienced so heavy a gale. Such was the force of the wind that the sails were blown into ribbons, while some of the yards and topmasts were splintered into atoms. At one time the vessel gave such a bound and then a lurch, being nearly on her beam ends, that all was given up for lost. Fortunately at that critrical period the gale moderated, and new sails being set, she resumed her voyage, being bound for Sydney. At Kaipara Heads, similar interest is being entertained as at other parts of the harbour in the success of this African venture. Mr. Douglas, the energetic manager of the N.U.S. Company, at present stopping at Pouto, superintending some of the company's affairs, very considerately invited the leading inhabitants to his residence to meet Captain and Mrs. Rive to wish them lon voyage. In a neat speech he proposed the healths of Captain and Mrs. Rives, wishing the Chittoor a prosperous voyage and a remunerative return from cargo. Thereafter sones and sentiments were indulged in. Captain Pearce gave in true nautical stylo, "The Fanner's Boy," and "The Old Folks at Home." Accompanicd with the harmonium Mr. and Mrs. Douglas sang, •'Annie Laurie," and "Scots Wlia Hae" with excellent effect. Mrs. Rive gave two charming songs which elicited much applauso; while Captain Smith sang with j pleasing variations the unrivalled ditty, " Barring of the Door, O." After spending a most pleasant evening the company parted after singing in chorus loud and hearty, the never to be forgotten song, "Auld Lang Syne."