EXCURSION TO STEWART ISLAND.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 9391, 2 April 1892, Page 3

EXCURSION TO STEWART ISLAND.

TO THE EDITOR,

Sib, —Would you permit me to congratulate the Otago people upon the chance of spending a most enjoyable holiday next Easter in a part of New Zealand which is practically a terra incognita to most folk. 1 refer to the projected excursion to Stewart Island which the railway authorities—with a laudable desire to cater for the public—have to-day advertised, and which leaves Dun&din on Good Friday morning and arrives back oa Monday night.

As I have but recently returned from the island, a few items of information may be acceptable.

A staunch little steam tug, the Awarua, the property of the Bluff Harbour Board, has been specially chartered to convey the excursionists, and she is a strong paddle-wheel vessel, thoroughly seaworthy, and comfortable. The landing-stage at Half-moon Bay is as easy as our own Dunedin wharf. Not the slightest doubt need be entertained upon this score. Half-moon Bay boasts of three excellent boarding houses —viz., those of Messrs Scollay, Thomson, and Harrild. The charges are most moderate, and I feel sure will not exceed 5s a day for board and lodging. The fare, including steamer, is oiily 30s return first-class, so that anyone wishing to practise economy might' feel certain that an outlay of L 2 10s in all for the trip would suffice. Indeed paterfamilias might take two children -with him for, say, a total cost of L 4-, as the usual concession will be made by the authorities for the benefit of the young New Zealander. I feel confident that 100 visitors would find no difficulty in obtaining house room, but it would be a grand idea for young fellows to take their tents and blankets ; as, although it may appear rather late in the season, the weather in Half-moon Bay is particularly mild, indeed, fur more genial than on the mainland, being protected from southerly weather, and with direct eastern exposure. The inducements are not only thorough change of scene, but good shooting, iishing", ferning—the island abounds in rare ferns and shrubs—Maori curio hunting, and the best class of New Zealand scenery in all its varied glory. Should any further information be required I shall be happy to affon! same.—l am, &c, Dunedin, April 1. Murray Aston.