THE LAUNCH RUAMANO.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19215, 2 January 1926, Page 11

THE LAUNCH RUAMANO.

ARRIVAL AT NEW PLYMOUTH. ENGINES WORKING SMOOTHLY. STRAIGHT RUN FROM THE CAPE. [.BY TELEGRAPH.—OWN CORRESPONDENT.] NEW PLYMOUTH. Thursday. The twin-screw launch Ruamano, the property of Mr. A. H. Court, Auckland, reached New Plymouth at 4.30 on Wednesday afternoon. The launch left Auckland on Christmas Day on a voyage round New Zealand, during which her five passengters intend tor taste the pleasures that boating and fishing can provide, and incidentally visit the principal ports round the coast. The party on board comprises Messrs. A. H. Court, J. Kelly, engineer, C. J. Collings, builder, J. B. Johnston and R. Noton. Mr. Beaumont was taken on bgard at Russell, and will travel as far as Wellington. In conversation members of the party expressed entire satisfaction with the boat. After clearing Auckland they made Piercy Island, near Cape Brett, on the last Saturday and there indulged in some quiet fishing with good results. Several hapuku were landed and also a thresher shark. Anakaura was reached on Sunday and Russell on Monday, but no stop was made for sword fishing, the party intending to test this sport at Mayor Island on tiio return trip up the East Coast. The Paerengarenga Bar was negotiated on Monday evening, and the six men enjoyed a stretch and night ashore. From Paerengarenga, which is about seven miles from the North Capo, an unbroken run of 350 miles was made to New Plymouth, the engines working smoothly and without interruption, i't had been intended to stop at several places on the trip down the west coast, but after rounding the North Cape and Cape Maria Van Diemen the launcn encountered z. considerable swell and it was found on Tuesday afternoon that the Hokianga Bar was unworkable. All three passages were tried, but it was thought dangerous to attempt to gain the harbour. Similar conditions prevailed at Onehunga, so no attempt was made to cross the bar there. The launch leaves to-morrow afternoon for Wanganui.