CRUISE OF THE TUTANEKAI.

New Zealand Mail, 15 February 1900, Page 28

CRUISE OF THE TUTANEKAI.

AVITH THE GOVERNOR IN THE NORTH.

The Government steamer Tutanekai, which has been engaged in conveying the Governor and party on a pleasure cruise round the North Island, arrived here again from Napier onTuesday. AVith the exception of a southerly gale encountered just before.reaching Hawke’s Bay. fine weather, with bright, sunny skies, was experienced, and the tour was thoroughly enjoyed by all.

The steamer left AYellington on January 22nd. and reached New Plymouth next' morning. - AYhiie there Lord Ranfurly presided at a function in connection with the St. John Ambulance Association. The party embarked again the same night, and the trip to Onehunga was resumed at 11 p.m. That port was reached the next morning, and here the household staff, together with the carriages and horses, were disembarked, and proceeded on to Auckland to prepare Government House for the reception of his Excellency. The Tutanekai, with the vice-regal party on heard, sailed at 6 p.m. the same day, and arrived at Hokianga. early next morning, where the vessel remained until the 29th inst. In the meantime Kohukohu was visited, and from there the Governor made a trip up the river in a launch to Rawene. the scene of recent Alaori troubles, ’Alessrs Webster and Winkleman, of that district, being the guests of his Excellency. On January 2Sai the steamer drooped anchor off Young’s Point, and the Governor went ashore to open a new native school. _ The party returned to tin ship at 5 o’clock in the afternoon, and she proceeded on to Russell on the 31st. Here another sight-seeing expedition was made up the Kaerikaeri river, during which pile the steamer cruised, about the islands so as to enable Lady Ranfurly, who remained on hoard, to obtain some sketches of the beautiful scenery thereabouts. The Tutanekai put into AATiangaroa , the 2nd inst., and the Governor visited Lane’s shipbuilding yards, which are becoming works of some importance. The steamer left at 8 p.m. for Russell, and departed from that port at 10 p.m. for Mokohinau , U owing to unfavourable weather, the place.could not be touched at, and the steamer proceeded on to the Great Barrier, where a day was spent in cruising round that island. Mercury Bay was next visited, and was reached on the 6th inst. A I , 7 bile iymg there an expedition was made to Mayor island, where his Excellency visited the caves, and Lady Ranfurly oh.amed some excellent Maori curios. On another day Lord Ranfurly paid a visjt or courtesy to a well-known Maori clr.ef residing at Tauranga Heads, and on Saturday last the foundation stone of the Gate Pa Memorial Church was formally laid. The Tutanekai left for AVellington that evening, but put. into Napier at 9 o’clock on Sunday nicht through stress of weather. Here “the party disembarked, and the Governor came on to AA r ellington by special train on Alonday, the steamer arriving in port as above stated.

Lord and Lady .Ranfurly and suite i ejomeu the Tutanekai in the evening and proceeded on to Lyttelton to witness the dispatch of the third contingent for South Africa. They' are to go to Akaroa and theq.ee back to Auckland to reside until Parliamentary duties recall the Governor to the capital.