BOUND FOR SYDNEY.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1507, 17 January 1901, Page 56

BOUND FOR SYDNEY.

A MEMORABLE TRIP IN THE MOKOIA. (Special to “N.Z. Tunes. ') SYDNEY, January 1901. An historic and unique occasion v, as that which caused some hundreds cf New Zealanders to assemble past betore New Year’s Day in the capital city of the chief State of the Australian Commonwealth. It was the fortune of the writer to travel with about a hundred others from Wellington by the Union Steam Shin Company’s magnificent steamer Mm kola, the last boat to convey New Zealanders to Sydney in time for ike great ceremonial connected with the birth of the Commonwealth. It was about >.30 on Boxing Day that the Mokoia cast loose from the Queen’s wharf, in “half a gale” of wind, amid the usual good-byes from a crowd larger than usual. The good ship carried among her passengers the Premier and Native Minister, two Supreme Court Judges, five members of the Legislature, leading citizens of Wellington, three prominent Maori chiefs and a number of ladies, besides a team of riflemen, under Lieutenant-Colonel Collins, proceeding to Sydney to do battle at the rifle butts on behalf of the Island Colony. The rough weather that was experienced in Cook Strait and for some distance to the westward was jocularly attributed to the presence on hoard of the Rev Mr Campbell, the delegate to the Commonwealth celebrations from the Presbyterian Church of New Zealand; but the*dubious honour of influencing the clerk of the weather was shared by a young Anglican clergyman who was also among the passengers. A veil may well be drawn over the distressing stage of the voyage, which lashed for some thirty hours, during which time the Mokoia demonstrated her capacity for rolling on an unkindly ocean. The seclusion of cabins conceal, ed most of the untoward incidents of that period; but one came to light in somewhat alarming fashion. Tumahau Mahupuku, one of the Maori chiefs, in ascending the staircase from the. saloon, lost his balance by a sudden lurch of the steamer, anu was precipitated backwards from the top to the bottom; but by the greatest of good luck he escaped all injury save a bruise to one of bis shins. During the prevalence of disaagreeable conditions. Captain Spinks and hi d subordinates did all in their power to minimise the discomfort suffered by passengers; and when the wind and sea abated, and perfect calm for two days and nights brooded over the Tasman Sea, the officers of the Mokoia exerted themselves to demonstrate how enjoyable life can be made on board a floating palace. Deck games, in which ladies and gentlemen alike participated, occupied those hours of the day that were not devoted to feasting. Grave anti reverend Minis, ters of the Crown might have been seen taking part in these recreations with all the zest of schoolboys, while Judges smoked contemplatively, and viewed the proceedings with seeming approval. In the evenings, chess and other indoor games were indulged in. The Hon Mr Carroll and Mr J. Stevens, M.H.R., had several contests over the chess-board; and two minor poets—one of them, by the way, a Major and M.H.R. —played one toughly-contested game, which ended in the defeat of the legislator, amid the rejoicings of fellow-members whom he had .previously vanquished. The evenings of Friday and Saturday were devoted to more social forms of entertainment. On Friday there was a full gathering in the s°cial hall, under the presidency of the Right Hon R. J. Secfdon,' when an excellent programme, musical and literary, was presented. The following were the items and performers:—Humorous song, Mr J. F. Andrews: recitation, “ Waterloo.” Mr J. L. Kelly; Ante solo, Master B. Willis ; song, “ Swan.ee River,” Hon James Carroll; recitation. “The Amateur Rider,” Mr W. Moore: song. “ Lulu,” Mr A. W. Thomson; song, Ci Georgie Grey,” Mr R. P. Collins ; re. citation, “The Twin Brothers.” Mr P. Myers; comic song, “Can’t Change It.” Mr R. Wallace; song, “ Governor Grey's Visit to Dunedin,” Mr J. F. Andrews ; song, “The Fisherman and His Child,” Mr T, S. Robinson; song, “The Waiter,” Mr A. W. Thomson. As an extra item, the Hon Major Steward recited an original poem, written by himself since leaving Wellington, entitled “New Zealand’s Visit to the Young-Queen.” This took the form of a sequel -to -Kipling's Commonwealth ode, and 'described the “ Old Queen” giving her biasing ; to New Zealand, along withNhe lighted dominion over the : Sooth Pacific*lslands. Ihc-ne were loud calls for the Premier to sing “The Wearing of the Green.’’' lint Mr Seddon excused himself, and the proceedings terminated with the singing of lhe National Anthem. y; Saturday evening’s- enterta 1 nment took the form of a ball ion .the upper, deck, which was specially illuminated b.Y electric light for. Urn . occasion. Pianoforte and bagpipe music was supplied, and the devotees of Terpsichore had a ''lively time. Daylight' on Sunday morning found us in sight of the New South Wales coast, and the steamer could easily

have been berthed by 8 a.m. and thus established a “record ’ trip of three days fouri .on and a half hours from .wharf to wharf. The captain, in order to conduce to the comfort of the passengers and their expectant friends in Sydney, gave orders to "lay to” for a couple of hours outside Port Jackson Heads, and it was a ben b 10 a.m. when, after a comfortable breakfast had been discussed, the 31 okma was berthed at Margaret street wharf. Here we found an official of the New South Wales Government along with Colonel Pole Ponton. Mr Jackson Palmer. M.H.R. for Ohinemuri, Mr W. H. Field, M.H.R. for Otaki, and several other New Zealander- waiting to receive us. Just before .separating. a meeting of “ail hands and the cook” was called, and the Premier, in a felicitous speech, presented a congratulatory address to Captain Spinks, expressive c r the warm appreciation of ttie passengers of the exertions put forth for their comfort and entertainment on the voyage. This was signed by the Hon. if. J. Secldon, Premier, the Hen. Jas. Carroll, Native Minister, Mr Justice Edward-. Mr Justice Martin, the lien. Major Steward, Messrs J. Stevens, A. D. Willis, 3Y. Napier and A. L. X>. Fraser. M.sH.R., the three Maori Chiefs, and by the passengers generally. Captain Spinks responded in a brief speech, and the Mokoia’s happy company broke up with mutual expressions of goodwill and good wishes. During the run from the Heads to the wharf the passengers, and more especially those who were making their first visit to Australia, had full onnortunity to admire the beauties of Sydney Harbour and to obtain impressions of the extent and magnificence of the city, with its far extending suburbs dotting every eminence for Julies around. In one respect the unexpected largeness of Sydney was a real boon to some of the visitors. Not a few approached the city in some trepidation, as they had failed to secure quarters before leaving New Zealand, and woke apprehensive that they might have to become “Domain boarders.” These fears proved to be ungrounded. Despite the tremendous influx of strangers —as an item it may be noted that no fewer than twenty-five steamer loads landed on Sunday, and about the same number the day before— Svdnev was by no means overcrowded. Good board was readily procurable, and that, too. at rates not altogether of the “famine” order. For example, rooms could still be got at the magnificent Hotel Australia, at the ordinary rate of £3 10s per week and upwards.