THE WAIKARE'S SOUNDS EXCURSION.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 11956, 1 February 1901, Page 4 (Supplement)

THE WAIKARE'S SOUNDS EXCURSION.

The Union Company's Waikare arrived at Port Chalmers on Thursday, 24th January, after completing the most successful West Coast Sounds excursion yet undertaken by the company. The weather throughout was exceptionally fine, only one wet day being experienced, in Preservation Inlet. This, however, (lid not detract from the pleasure of the voyage, but only showed the Sounds ill one more of the various phases of beauty. All the sen travelling was done in comparatively smooth water and at night time. The Waikare left Port Chalmers at 5 p.m. on the 12th inst.. and called at the Bluff on tho following morning to embark the remaindor of her passengers, and at 8.15 a.m.t proceeded on to Stewart Island, anchoring in Paterson Inlet at 10.50 a.m. All the boats and launches wero got out, and the regular routine of tho excursion commenced. After a very pleasant clay on shore tho passengers relumed to the ship at 5 p.m. In the evening a sacred concert was hold on tho poop deck. At 6.30 next morning (Monday) the Waikare entered Preservation Inlet, and steamed up to tho head of Long Sound and liack; anchoring in Cuttle Cove at 8.15 a.in. A good deal of rain wa9 experienced during tho day, notwithstanding which a number of tho passengers went away in (lie hosts, fishing and exploring. In the evening the first dance was held on the poop deck, which was decorated by the sailors with flags and evergreens. The dance was a great miceess. At 8.30 a.m. next day entered J)u"ky Sound, and steamed to Long Asm and Wet Jacket Arm, and returned to Cascade Cove, via Cooper Island, anchoring at noon. After lunch the boats and launches left for the Cascade Fall and Pickersgill Harbour, and returned in tho evening lief ore davit. Crews chosen from tho various passengers were out practising for the regatta. In the evening a concert was lmld on the poop deck. At 4.45 next morning the anchor was apaiil raised, and at 9 a.m. Doubtful Sound wa." enteral. After steaming up to the head of Hall Arm and back another stoppage was made at tho head of Crooked Arm at 0.30 p.m. Good fishing and exploring were obtained, and at night a euchre party was held. At 6 a.m. next day another start was made, and after steaming up Bradtliaw Arm Hie anchor was dropped in Gear Arm at 8.45 a.m. All launches and floats wero away for the day fishing and picnicking. In tho evening an impromptu dance was held, and next morning a start was made for George Sound, the anchorago being reached at 9.40 a.m. Excursions wero made during the day to Lakes Alice and Katrine, the scenery on the rontl to tho lakes being highly appreciated. Parties were also engaged in fishing and picnicking. During the evening a fireworks display was held. The following morning (39th) broke beautifully fine, and a regatta,was held, starting at 10 o'clock. Great excitement prevailed in the different competitions, particularly the ladies' race. All the events wero very closely contested, and the last race wa.s got off at 3.30 p.m. In the evening the regatta, ball was held, which was attended ill fancy costume. Many of the costumes wore very pretty and novel. During the evening the regatta ball supper was given in the saloon, which was very tastefully dccorated. The menu and the decorations reflected great credit on the chief steward and his staff. At 3.45 a.m. next day the anchor was hove up, and the vessel proceeded to Milford, the last and grandest of the Sounds, arriving thore at 8.30 a.m., and at 10 a.m. the first party left for the Sutherland Falls. Other parties went fishing and exploring. In the evening divine service was held on board, and at 6 a.m. next day a party of gentlemen left for the falls, to return the same day. At 10 a.m. the third party left for the same place. Excursions were mado during the day to Harrison Cove, Arthur River, and Sutherland's house. In the evening an impromptu concert was held on deck, and on the following day excursions were made all round the Sound. At 6.30 p.m. a very reluctant departure was made from the Sounds. The Waikare reached tho Bluff at 2 p.m. on tho 23rd, left again at 4 p.m., and arrived as above. The following copy of a telegram from Mr John Cooke (of Melbourne), chairman of the Waikare Sounds Excursion Entertainment Committee, lias been handed (o us for publication:—"The Sounds excursion trip of the Union Steam Ship Comoany's Waikare has been so entirely successful that the passengers liavo by resolution conveyed, through Mr John Cooke (of Melbourne), chairman of the Entertainment Committee, to the company's hoard of directors, their high appreciation of the arrangements, and more particularly of the unvarying courtesy of Captain Richardson and his officers in carrying out every detail of the pospectus. It is also satisfactory to stato not only that the weather conditions were phenomenally favourable, but that the large list of passengers was drawn from all the colonies and' from many parts of the United Kingdom." Tho following was the crew of the winning boat in the ladies' race of the regatta, the purser heing coxswain Miss A. Cook, Port Chalmers; Miss P. Cook, Port Chalmers; Miss Johnson, Gieborne; Miss May Johnson, Gisborne—each of whom was the _ recipient of a brooch presented by the Union Company. .