WRECK OF THE WAIKARE.

Otago Witness, Issue 2913, 12 January 1910, Page 29

WRECK OF THE WAIKARE.

In the full flush of a temporary glimpse of the summer sun shining on a serenely smooth sea—a very welcome change after an entire trip of wretched, muggy, misty weather—the Union Steam Ship Company's excursion steamer Waikare, on the 4th inst., at exactly 12.21 p.m. by the engineroom clock, sustained "what very hiceiy—almost certainly—will be her death-blow by striking what is said to be an uncharted rock near the mouth of Dtisky Sound, just prior to her emerging therefrom on her return journey to Dunedin. No place could apparently present a more unpromising prospect for a catastrophe. The hills on either ha.nd ; the known great general depth of water embosomed therein ; ne'er a. ripple showing save that occasioned by the progress of the steamer itself—it was in this aspect and under these circumstances that the steamer struck. The passengers were on deck drinking in the vitality of the air and the scene. Ever since the vessel left Dunedin the most execrable weather had been experienced. Wet, muggy, and unpleasant mist-shower after mist-shower descended in solid, array upon the beauty-seeking tourists. At the Sounds, that fact waa often known not by the sight of the land but merely by the ronr of descending waterfalls'. And the 4th inst was the first morning of summer worthy the name that had been vouchsafed the vessel since her departure. Naturally, therefore, practically every passenger was upon the deck enjoying to the utmost the beauty of the day and the unrivalled scenery which was being unfolded to their eyes as the vessel slowly steamed towards the entrance of the Sound. So attractive was the day, and, indeed, such, a comparative novelty was it, that the ladies of the vessel were very anxious that a delav should be made for a final picnic. The boon was not granted to them. Had it been, the voyage might.possibly not have ended in disaster. THE ACCIDENT. The passengers, then, were thus assembled upon the deck, and perhaps in-s'light measure were anticipating the approaching luncheon hour. Suddenly the bows of the vessel lifted; A sailor said she first lifted as though to meet a sea, and he momentarilv thought they were out of the shelter of "the Sound and in the open. Then came disillusionment. A harsh, grinding tea>r, a sudden jolt, a repeated crashing teaE> another stop, again a torturing ripping heave, and, after the third of the bumps, the vessel cleared the obstruction and floated in the water beyond. There could be no mistaking those sounds. At once it was perfectly plain that a serious catastrophe had occurred. This was emphasised by the immediate throwing upon tin? decks, through the escape pipes, of some water driven up by air pressure caused by the entry of water below. . . As this air-driven water and hissing air ascended a greaser on deck said to the second officer, " There is water in No. 1 ballast tank." This o-.reaser was standing near the outlet for the escape from this tank, which had been used to carry the fresh water from Dunedin. The tank was then empty. This the greaser knew—hence his exclamation. The truth of his statement'was jmmediatelv manifest, lhe vessel took a decided, and sudden lean to starboard—so decided, indeed, as to lilt the port ladders so far from the water as to render them useless for the purpose of loading the boats, which were immediately lowered. ~ At this point let it he said., and said with appreciation, that there was no panic Tnd no confusion aboard the boat, notwithstanding the suddenness of the shock Ld the serious immediate consequences faced the; whole of the nr ,A ™ veneers. Coincident with tne sounding Srthe S whistle for the lowering of the boats the stewards and others i a t,r ,-t wa« to do so commenced S task ty of dilhibutin, lifebelts to the tatsenJerl All accepted ther.3 ouietly JS3cted.lv. and in about 10 minutes time the of the passengers w»re in tne ship's boats being rowed rapidly to the nearest points of land, while in less than 15 minutes "from the time the vessel struck evervone not connected with the working of the ship was away from her. IN THE ENGINE-ROOM. JpLB passengers being thus safely ac-

V TOTAL WRECK. TURNED OVER AND SUNK ON A BEEF. AN" UNCHARTED ROCK. SPLENDID CONDUCT ON BOARD. RETURN OE PASSENGERS. INTERESTING PARTICULARS. PRAISE FOR THE OFFICERS AND CREW. THEMOURA AT DUSKY SOUND.

counted for, attention was then directed more particularly to the vessel itself. Of course, in order to allow of the removal of the passengers the way of the ship had been stopped, and after the task of removing the passengers had been accomplished the machinery was again set in motion upon the vessel. When the ship struck, the watch on duty was the 12-4 watch, in charge of the third engineer, Mr West. It is the custom at lunch time for him to be relieved by the fourth engineer, and the shock coming at this moment the fourth engineer, Mr Inverarity, was on duty. At the moment of impact, however, the whole staff dashed to their poets, irrespective' of watches. The chief engineer. Mr P. Hickey, was in control. The second engineer, Mr Macarthur, and the third, Mr W T est, also, appeared. The third was ordered to stand; on the middle platform ready to attend to the valves to prevent an explosion. The second engineer descended and assumed charge of the throttle valve to woik it in order to beach th'3 vessel.

At the first blow, of course, as the pinnacle of rock seemed to go right along the bottom of the vessel, and mut-.t have inflicted tremendous damage, water came into the eugine-ioom very rapidly. Pumps were immediately put into commission, while in addition the condensers were thrown off the main injection on to the use of the bilge discharge. This means that instead of deriving the water for the condenser from the ordinary source outside the ship, the vessel was consuming the water inside her own bilge, and was thus doing the double duty of consuming water and procuring a vacuum for the condenser. It was soon found, however, that the water could not be reduced, and it became evident that the only, resource was to beach her.

AW the passengers being away, the engineering staff reported to the captain that the lower fires were out and that the higher ones would not last long—in fact, that no more steam could be generated.

i Great credit is due to the engine-room staff for the manner in which they held | to their task. The third engineer was j standing by ready to release the valves i to prevent an explosion. The water was j gaining fast. There were 1501 b of steam pressure available and a mile or more to be travelled to "the island where was the one and only place possible for her to be beached. * Rigftt up to the very last j possible minute the fires were kept going, ' and the staff did not leave their posts . (naturally) till the captain rang " Finish," i by which time the nose of the Waikare j had safely found the ground and the I water in the stokehole was over the ■ waists of those who still remained in the i loom. Those comprising the 12-4 watch were West, third engineer, and J. Hore W. Lowson, J. M'Ginley, W. Tele, and E. Prench. In addition to these men Mr Macarthur, the second engineer, did yeoman service, and remained at the throttle valve till his shoulders were covered. The steam left in the boilers at the time of the shutting off of the fires was sufficient for only five minutes' travelling, but fortunately that was enough to cany the j boat t : o i emporary safety. How important this last step is will lie seen by the mention of the fact that :f the vessel had not beer; beached she would have sunk in deep water and the unfortunate passengers would have lost practically all their luggage, and would besides have had but a bare supply of food. Their plight in such a case would not have been enviable. Thanks to the skill of the engineering staff that possibility was altogether destroyed. ON DECK. Reverting to the position on deck, a passenger described the scene as follows: The boats were got out m remarka* ly quick time, because, in addition to the ordinary complement, there were two heavy' launches to handle. By the time they" were all in the water the ship had taken a list to starboard to such an exj tent that practically all the passengers .had to be embarked from the one side j the starboard side. While the boats were being lowered the ship's staff served out lifebelts to the passengers, who all behaved salendidly. The ladies were embarked first, and as the different boats

were filled they were rowed away to the nearest island. When all the passengers were clear of the ship it was ascertained that the water had so made in the engim.room that the fires were out, and then; was only steam sufficient for five minutes' driving. Her head was consequently immediately directed for. Stop Island, on it being the only medium shore where the soundings were charted, and this area available was but a small piece edged i,n either side by high bluffs. The steam, however, was fortunately sufficient to carry the vessel safely to the shore. Her bow was the only part to take the ground, and her & tern hung free in about 12 fathoms °i Whea she waa beached the litt she had on was an appreciable one, and tins became more and more noticeable as time went on.

FORMING THE CAMP

mt™ « P a ?f n SeKS," continued the narSw? 1- 7?* then brought to Stop Island and i atl ded alongside the steamer. This was at low tide, and this was a fair which, though .fortunate at, the time, was the cause of much work latel . { ' t] £*"? t ° f / tUff > aW highwaL mark. A start was immediately made with the work of obtaining provisions and the Sir g ' and £ ° forth ' fro * So

witWhfS ?>?• ° f r°f k in with the facilitation of this item was the warping of the steamer's stern round parallel with the shore. This was a strenuous piece of work, as the labour was all done by hand. This work kept the whole of the men going till well oA into the afternoon. Then was instituted the work of transferring the luggage to above high-water mark. This was effected by the formation of chains of willing workers who passed the material from hand to hand. This was a difficult piece of work for the stones on the water's edge were particularly sharp and rough. The* island as a matter of fact, at high water had no beach, so that it was absolutely essential that before a camp could be formed some clearing shouid be effected on the slope of the hills. This was done by a gang of workers headed by the ship's carpenter" who throughout won the very high regard of the people for his splendid work° A ■camp had been cleared, with everything ready, by about 8 o'clock in the evening" this representing pretty well eight hours solid work without a break. Every care was taken of the ladies, and the cook, soon after landing, had matters arranged very nicely for their comfort. The method o! fixing the camp was to utilise the awnings from the boat, and by this system two very large tents were satisfactorily arranged. A couple of showers fell in the afternoon,, and this, combined with the previous terribly wet condition of the bush, owiiig to the humidity of the atmosphere, rendered the condition of the ground, where it had been cleared and worked upon, something deplorable. Before settling upon the camping ground the captain took the launch and investigated to see whether any other site would be more suitable, but his judgment was that no better spot was available than that chanced upon. That being so, there was nothing for it but- to sit down and make ourselves as comfortable as possible. All the mattresses and blankets were handed over to the ladies, and they were made quite comfortable and warm. Some men, of course, were not able to secure the same comfort because of the congestion -which existed owing to the limited space available.

" Big fires were lit, so that theirs was plenty of warmth, and the ccok kept hot tea and coffee continually ready—in fact, he worked splendidly from start to finish. " That night was a very funny one.' Every person was meeting the disaster in the best spirit possible, and making absolutely the most ci the matter, so that there was a continuous flow of fun and merriment. Not very much sleep was procured because of the jokes and witticisms which were flying about. Besides the bright fires were an inducement to many to gather together and talk.- In the afternoon the oil launch had been despatched to Puysegur Point, and conjecture was curent concerning her probable fate, as it was thought she might have some difficulty in reaching there.

" However, dawn broke at length, and people soon began to stir from the attitudes in which they had thrown themselves down to rest. The cook produced an excellent, and early breakfast, and then some further work was done in the way of securing mattresses and blankets from the vessel, which was perhaps 100 yards from the shore.

"On Wednesday morning the captain was advised of the existence of a- small hut some five miles irn the Sound, and, thinking it would perhaps be a few days before rescue was effected, he decided to proceed to the seen? with some ladies to see whether the situation was a. better one than the island. He left us at 10 o'clock with a party of ladies on board, and about 11.30 our ot-hlnr launch returned from Puysegur, having succe-eded in their effort to get the news through. The information thev brought back was that the Monra would leave that dav for the scene of the wreck. No one thought of getting away before Friday, and preparations for increasing comforts were being made wb°n the Pionear thrust her -nose round the corner. We were of course all verv glad to see her. as the nrosnect of spending- another night in the camp was not of the best. The Pioneer arrived at about 2 o'clock in the afternoon, a.nd a start, was immediately mad o - to c/et, the things on board her. and so well did thev work that tins was completed bv about 5.30. Some time before this the launch had been sent up to the Sound to bring the ladies who had decided to remain at the little house found there. She retnvjvd exactly as the loading work was finished, and occasioned no delav whatever in the departure of +b-e T>icmep.r, which left the Sound before 6 o'clock." SENDING FOR HELP.

Some fine, sturdy, and sailorlike work

was done by the boats' crews that were despatched on the Tuesday afternoon to carry the news to the Puysegur Point Lighthouse. An oil launch was sent away in charge, of the second officer (Mr Appleyard). theie being with him in the boat Mr W. Smart and Mr J. Millar. For safety's sake it was decided that the launch shouid tow a boat with a crew of firemen, and accordingly the 26ft launch took in tow a 21ft surf boat, in which were M. Edwardson, W. Lowson, J.. Sharp, Matthew Millar, James M'Kinlay, and C. Davis. The launch set off on her long tow, and had a somewhat rough journey down, for the towrope parted twice, and an equal number of times the surf boat was in danger of being upset, and it was saved only by the dexterity of the second officer. Despite these adventures, however, the boat arrived off Puysegur at about 8 o'clock on Tuesday evening, and, having effected a landing through the instrumentality of the surf-boat, the second officer got his messages through to the head office. He then came back, but during his absence the boat having been beached, the tide had receded and left her high and dry. The only course open then was for the crew to get to work and carry the boat, or lever it down to the waves again. The men were already wet through, so that this additional ducking, though perhaps not nice, could not materially have hairdened their lot—which, in fact, was sufficiently hard before. By dint of perseverance and strength the men's efforts to get off were at last successful, and having worked through the waves at last regained the launch. A brief tow then took both boats down to Preservation Inlet, where the night was spent under the very generous care of Mrs Anderson, whose hospitality the men describe as having been unbounded. On the return journey to Dusky Sound, Preservation Inlet was left at 5 the next morning, and after a run which was not quite so rough as had been the case on the previous day Dusky was attained, as stated, a little before the arrival of the Pioneer from the Bluff. In order to mark the appreciation of the efforts these men had put forward in order to get the news of the accident through, the passengers, on being rescued, initiated a subscription list, which was heartily responded to, and succeeded in raising a considerable sum of money to be divided amongst the men. THE PIONEER'S ARRIVAL. Some indication has already been «iven of the rapidity and zeal with which the commander and crew of the Pioneer entered upon their generous task of proceeding to Dusky Sound to effect the transfer of the passengers. As the facts become more fully known the public appreciation of the work done will certainly increase. It appears that Commander Blunt was spending the evening at a friend's house when the news arrived at the Bluff. Within a very few minutes of receipt of the news he was on board his vessel, had drawn up his crew, and in a few words explained the position to them—how the Waikare was a wreck and the passengers, though all were safe, were possibly in sore distress from lack of comforts and the severity of the weather. According to the first message which was received at the Bluff the passengers might have been left in a very sad plight, for the Waikare was said to have sunk within 10 minutes of the accident, and this would not have allowed adequate arrangements to have been made for the care of some 200 souls. Animated by this consideration, therefore, the commander to his men the necessity for haste, and said that they must have on board 90 tons of coal at the very earliest possible moment. The men listened, a.nd answered with hearty cheers. A witness of the incident, thus described' it, simply but effectively, to a representative of the Ota.go Daily Times : " They broke away as soon as he had finished speaking, and after they had answered with a cheer. But they did not walk—they ran. It was really a splendid sight. I do not think I shall ever forget it—the way they threw themselves into their work." It was the private secretary of Sir Joseph Ward who spoke thus, and he also added an appreciation of the efforts of the townspeople to do what they could to add to the comfort of the unfortunate passenger®. Not knowing how the people stood in regard to provisions and clothes, stocks of these were taken on board. The coal required was taken from a coal hulk which was alongside the wharf, but permission had been given to do so bv Mr John Mill, to whom the coal belonged'. The coal was Newcastle. and to load the Pioneer the men had to fill the coal into sacks, load trucks, and then empty it into the bunkers. " About a minute." was the expressive testimony to the time taken to fill a sack. Working under such conditions it is surely a splendid record that before 5 a.m. the next morning, bavin? started about 10.30 p.m.. the men should have placed on board 90 tons of coal. Getting under weigh then- at 5 o'clock in the morning with the Prime Minister (Sir Joseph Ward), his private secretary, and Dr Torrance on board, the Pioneer" made every speed to the scene of the disaster. Exactly what her speed is seems a matter of complexity. It was promised at first by an unofficial .source that she would do her 20 knots all the way and back. But an officer Wlio was on shore leave, and who was left behind, gave the assurance that she might do 13. and, with favourable conditions, would perhaps reach 14 knots. In a.ruv cR&e the distance to Dusky was traversed in nine and a-hali hours, the vessel arriving there at 2.30 in the afternoon. As before stated, she was not in any way delayed on her return trip, but got away from there on her way back before 6 o'clock. It was fullv expected that on the return run she would do better time than on the way down, but disappointment after disappointment oame, and dispelled these hopes until the final record of the boat was that she took 12 hours to do on the wav back what previouslv she had taken but hours to do. This was a matter of great

' disappointment to a great many peopk throughout the altogether apart from the general public, who were naturally very anxious to get full details at the very earliest possible moment. Instructions had been given that certain telegraph offices throughout the Dominion should remain open throughout the night, and many newspapers, as they found the ; time for' their going tc press drawing ' nigh, made arrangements for the publication of late editions. The lateness of the arrival of the Pioneer, however, upset all these ai*rangements. j At the Bluff a number of kind local ■ resident ladies generously decided to sup- ! ply a. supper to the. passengers on their I arrival, which was expected to be at ' first before midnight. Her non-arrival till 6 o'clock therefore necessarily imi posed an extra heavy tax upon their \ beneficent motives. The reasons given i for the delay of the Pioneer are several. One is the coal supply was so limited that it was necessary to be careful by i driving the vessel at her most economical fuel-consumption rate, as otherwise the I risk might be run of drifting away to ' sea with no coal! It is stated that on j the outward run the coal proved to be so fine and the exhaust so strong that a ; considerable quantity went up the funnel \ resultlessly. Another factor towards the . slowing down was that the vessel was rolling somewhat; but almost unquestionably the chief reason is simply that expressed by Sir Joseph at the Bluff on arrival there —namely, " That they didn't want to get back* till between 6 and 7." It was striking 6 o'clock as the vessel drew into the wharf. The passengers on the way down spent a somewhat poor night—that is, the male passengers, for the officers gave up their cabins for the ladies, —as the majority of them were spending their time trying, to find which was the softest plank of the many in a hard foredeck and poop. Notwithstanding the early hour at which the vessel drew into the Bluff wharf, there was a. good crowd present, the individual members of which were soon scattering questions ovei* the tiredlooking tourists on the warship's decks.The final arrangements made for tha accommodation of the returned trippers was that they should be given as breakfast the belated supper of overnight and then start in a special express for Dunedin at 7.30. This programme was duly carried out, and the special train arrived in Dunedin about 1.30 p.m., being met on arrival by a large crowd. THE PASSENGERS. It was not exactly a gay or too spruce crowd that came to town by the express. The ladies, notwithstanding! their experiences of the past few days, looked as fresh as ladies generally do. The men, with two days' stubble on their chins, were not quite so respectable. Apropos this point, one gentleman—evidently possessed of no little skill and patience—succeeded in shaving in the train en route ! The men bore in their dress some slight signs of their experience in the shape of muddy boots and trousers, this being explained quite adequately by the condition of the ground at the time of the camping. The ladies unanimously declared that they have had every attention, and have in no way been subjected to any hardship. Evidence of this is that, while the men sometimes got wet with the rain, scarcely a lady did. After the fright of the first few minutes had passed away, the general testimony is that the whole experience was very much of a picnic. A LADY'S EXPERIENCE. Miss Duckworth, an English lady cf extensive travelling experience, was amongst those ladies who went up the sound with Captain Newton when he took a party up to the small house for their greater comfort. While travelling to Duni edin she gave some outline of her experience, this being representative in ; general of the experience of all the ladies on board. Speaking of the camp itself she testified to the great courtesy and kindness shown in every direction! All plainly intended to make the best of an unfortunate position, and, as a consequence, although at the back of the merriment was a devout thankfulness, there was on each face a merry smile for the benefit of the others. The camp, which was built ; on the sides of a slight gully after the trees had been cut back by a party, wan the best possible under the conditions prevailing. After the growth was cut back there was found to be a very thick unde*deposit of vegetable mould, and this naturally, with the walking and commotion, soon became mixed into a compound of mud. Nevertheless, when the awnings were spread out, and the mattresses—laid on sails to secure dryness—were available, some kind of a night's rest was obtained. She was bound to confess that it was notmuch, but that was merely because theii minds were otherwise occupied in amusements, conjectures, and conversation. About midnight one humourist achieved a distinct success by rendering on the "We won't go home till morning." After the night had been passed as comfortably, as possible under the circumstances, oil mattresses which, being on a slope, inevitably caused the occupant to slide' genilv and slowly according to the law of gravitation, an early rise was made the next morning. But again the cook was to the fore, and provided fried eggs and ham, tea and coffee. After this breakfast—the commissariat and cuisine beino-, by the way, distinct features of the " wrecking picnic,"—a start was made up the Sound with the captain. The house wa* duly found, and was discovered to be beautifully situated amidst lovelv surroundings. The ladies immediately" elected 'o remain there, and accordingly made coine preparations while the captain returned in the launch. It was a fin© afternoon, and they were just enjoying themselves wheu the launch returned again. It brought the news that the Pioneer was there to take them home. And so their stay in that idyllic spot was ruthlessly closed. j HONEST APPRECIATION. J There could hardly be anything mores

genuine than the appreciation of the passengers for the efforts made on their behalf by the captain and crew. All the available passengers have signed the following address: —■ H.M.S. Pioneer, Dusky Sound, January 5, 1910. To the Captain, Officers, and Crew of the s.s. Waikare. The passengers by the s.s. Waikare on the second Sounds trip, January 1910, desire to express their appreciation of the conduct of the captain, officers, and crew on the occasion of the recent lamentable loss of that ship. In their opinion the boats were get into the water promptly and without confusion immediately after the accident. The passengers wero directed and assisted to embark on the boats with the utmost promptitude, the time of embarkation scarcely exceeding a quarter o'f an hour. The camp was established on the island so as to give the passengers as good shelter as was possiblo in the circumstances from the heavy rain which fell on the night after the accident. Officers and crew vied with one another in attending to the wants of the passengers. The catering arrangements under the most extraordinary difficulties were carried out so efficiently that abundance of food was always ready. The sleeping arrangements were so efficiently managed that almcisfc all passengers were able to have the best accommodation possible under the circumstances; so that the passengers were able to enjoy a reasonable amount of comfort during their enforced stay on the island, notwithstanding the exceedingly adverse conditions. This result is due to the forethought, care, and skill of the officers and crew. We desire, therefore, to offer our best thanks to the captain, officers, and crew, and to take leave of them with very cordial feelings of gratitude and goodwill.—We are, etc., The ladies separately presented a somewhat similar address to Captain Newton, commiserating him upon his ill fortune and assuring him of their appreciation of his efforts. - Further marks of regard were made in the case of the carpenter (Mr J. Watts) and the cook (Mr Jones) by their being presented with some, monetary considerations on behalf of *the whole of the passengers. The boat's crew to Puysegur Point was also similarly honoured. At Invercargill, before the express left, the crew of the Waikare gave hearty cheers in honour respectively of Commander Blunt and the Pioneer, the U.S.S. Compa.ny, the ladies for providing breakfast, which was greatly appreciated, and others. SMALL HOPE OF SALVAGE. Although no absolutely definite opinion can be given as to the future of the wrecked vessel, the general agreement amongst the returned passengers was that there was a very small hope of the vessel ever being saved. The position now is that she hangs on a ledge by her nose, and the workings of a few tides or a westerly roll would take her into very deep water, where she would be practically unapproachable. The Moura., which was intended to speak to the Pioneer on her way round on the sth missed her. This is the second occasion that intended signals have miscarried, as the Rosamond, on the previous morning, passed Puysegur without being signalled, as it was intended she should be.' In connection with the whole wreck and the arrangeniiants made in every direction, credit is due to the Bluff manager (Mr W. V. Craske) for the attention he gave to his arduous duties. Mr T. W. Whitscn (secretary to the company) was on the spot. PROFESSOR BENHAM'S STORY. " It was the only fine day we had on the trip," said Professor Bsnham in relating to our reporter the circumstances of the disaster. "We were coining down Dusky Sound, enjoying the sunshine and the only real panorama that we had seen, when suddenly we experienced a very decisive jar. The ship seemed to stop for the fractien of a second and then go on. Wo heard a grating .sound below us, and we immediately realised that something unusual had 'happened. The Waikare then appeard to be in the middle of the sea somewhere between Indian and Anchor Islands. In about a couple of minutes we noticed that the boat had a decided list to starboard, and at once knew that the water was coming in,, xtoout a minute after the ship struck the whistle sounded far the boat stations. When we saw the cooks, stewards, etc., trooping up from below we thought it was time to put on the lifebelts. What struck me most was the fact that, as far as I know, we had no instruction to do this, but everyone seemed to go through this performance almost instinctively. There was not the slightest suggestion of alarm or panic, and each person, set about helping the other to adjust this very awkward article of safety. It was practically a case of the blind leading the blind, as none knew exactly how they should be adjusted. During this time the boat was listing in such a way that it seemed as if she must turn turtle. I do not think anyone went down to the cabins except perhaps to get a lifebelt. Although the passengers were quiet and calm, quite naturally thero was a- seriousness on the faces of most of them, especially those who- had friends and relatives on board. At the same time there was a good deal of cheerfulness about the situation, the men trying to reasure the ladies that there was no need for excitement or alarm. One or two ladies took off their boots and skirts, which, however, was an_ absolutely unnecessary precaution. The getting out of the boats appeared to be done with remaikable rapidity, though in conversation with some of the sailors afterwards I learned that they found the awning which surrounded and covered the poop deck used for dances very considerably in the way. As soon, as the boats were filled with passengers they were towed by the two launches, one group going one way and the other another. The disaster occurred in possibly as good a position as could be found in that part, for it was hear an island, the rocky face of which sloped into the sea, thus offering considerable space for the landing of passengers fcj*4 «tAE6S. As soon a®the passengers wjsce ,

f landed the boats returned to the ship, | which by this time was beached on a rocky I shelf with her nose only about 50ft from the .shore. Blankets, baggage, food stuffs mattresses, awnings, etc., were lowered from the Waikare into the boats. There was no time to have any regard for order of things, and everything was thrown into I the boats in a confused mass. When the boat*: came alongside the passengers lined up in the form of a chain, and assisted m the unloading of the boats, and in this work many of the younger lady passengers worked just as hard as the men. iae stores obtained from the ship were naturally dumped on the rocks close by, and had tolie carried up to high water »«*,!« it was at low water that the disaster oocumd. An endeavour was made by in shore to sort out the vanous articles taken from the steamy hoisted up into the bush above the ht-g ! baeffase bv means of a rope, and tne At one place was to be seen a chain of young laches passing i up the face into the scruu. OnlvTery few of the young able made passengers did not join in this work When all things necessary «foi the ; protection and comfort of the passengers i had been brought ashore and the crew was available for assisting, the work of placmg thin*, in order went on rapidly. Some were engaged in cutting down the busb, and" othdS in erecting tents for our shelter and for the kitchen. As soonl a nossible tea was got ready, and after workG for four or five hours we were reaay for whatever was going. . Some of the ladies set to work and assisted in getting tea ready, and the men handed round food An air of cheerfulness and good humour pervaded the whole, the majority of the younger passengers at least regarding the affair as a pleasant variety from the somewhat monotonous life on board the boat, for, be it remembered, this was the first fine day experienced on the trip, and the promenade decks had been almost j constantly wet, and overcoats had been the rule. As soon as sleeping tents haa been got ready, the floor _of ; which '"consisted of the awning I under which we had danced the prsi vious evening and the roof of other awnings, mattresses and blankets were ranged side by side. Most of the ladies took up their positions for the night right 1 away. After the lamps had been lit and hung in the tents, it was certainly a picturesque scene. Daylight had barely disappeared and the tree ferns and other '-constituents of the bush appeared under the edge of the awning. Here and there were groups of chatting men and women, and as the time for the night's rest arrived, each took a mattress where it was available, there being no conventional separation of the men and women. We got very little sleep, for amongst the 150 people there was always someone who had a tale to tell,'and this meant constant bursts of laughter, which spread from or.e end of the camp to the other. At intervals up till midnight the cooks brought round tea and coffee and eoup. Sleep reigned until about 4 a.m., when, as each mattress touched the other, the serving of hot coffee had everyone awake. Many of us got up, but no toilets were made, for there was no water to wash in. A few of the ladies did their hair, but most of them had slept in their hats. The wcathe.' was still fine, and we strolled down to the rocky shelf to see how the I Waikare had stood the night. She had been held fast by hawsers, and if she had not been run in where she was it would have been impossible to have got off : the baggage, etc. When we saw her in the early morning it was to be observed that she had settled considerably in the water, and that the list was very much ] greater than it had been on the previous day. The stern was well down, and the water was about on a level with her saloon jjort-holes. If there had been a storm she must certainly have been knocked to pieces very soon, or probab.y have slipped off into deep water. "By 7.30 on Wednesday morning we had prepared for us by the same energetic cooks an excellent breakfast of bacon and eggs. At midday we were actually provided with a three-course dinner. The time in between had been filled in with photographing, sketching, fishing, etc. About 2 o'clock news came that the Pioneer had steamed into Dusky Sound, and her arrival, of course, created much excitement. Some signalling took place between the Pioneer and the shore, and then a boat manned by bluejackets went out from her side and headed to where we were encamped. It was soon made known that we were to return by the Pioneer as the guests of his Majesty the King, instead of waiting for the Moura, which, we had been informed earlier in the day, would arrive on Thursday morning to take us away. We had hurriedly to leave camp, and some of us were rather sorry that an end had been put to what had up to this time been a very pleasant picnic. No doubt if it had continued and the weather had been bad, it would have been very unpleasant on this small island. We weiesoon on board the Pioneer, but this took longer than was expected. The actual time occupied was three hours, for all the baggage, etc., had to be removed. Then, before the Pioneer arrived, the captain of the Waikare, on the assumption that we would not be relieved for another day, had taken a number of the unmarried ladies to R. Henry's old cottage on Pigeon Island, proposing that they should camp by themselves in more comfortable surroundings. This island was five miles away, and, of course, delay was occasioned in bringing these young ladies off. " The Waikare's officers and purser had been unremitting in their efforts to make us as comfortable as possible, while v&ry special credit is due to the cooks

and stewards, for, curiously enough, directly a ship strikes a rock and is in a sorry plight, these men cease to receive pay. Their work on this occasion ! was therefore all the more to be praised. When wc were placed on the Pioneer, the captain and" all his officers gave up their cabins to the ladies, while the male passengers were accommodated on the upper deck. Any shortage of blankets was made up by the utilisation of the ship's bunting. Many of us were simply wrapped up in, flags. One could not but help feeling intensely patriotic. One passenger asked a burly Jack Tar to wrap him up in a Union Jack, but the- sailor humorously replied, " You're not dead yet," meaning, of course, that a person "only had the Union Jack wrapped round him when he was dead. The deck certainly proved a harder sleeping-place than the ground on which we had lain the night before, but we were all glad of a long night's sleep, and some retired as early as. 7 o'clock. At 6 o'clock we reached the Bluff, and on going on shore were treated to further kindness by the ladies of the Bluff in the shape of a substantial breakfast. In fact, it was nothing but kindness and attention from start to finish of the disaster."

ME M. CHAPMAN, K.C.

DANGER OF TURNING TURTLE. Mv M. Chapman. K.C., was interviewed at the Fernhill Club on the 6th. He said : " I joined the ship at Mil ford Sound, but I understand that the day on which we were wrecked was the first fine day they had had. It was lovely weather. The pleasure trip was practically finished. There was nothing- left except to get to sea and to return to Dunedln. We were passing Indian Island. I don't know the distance, but I should judge it to have been from a quarter to half a mile, though it might have been more. So far as I can judge, the captain was going on the. regular line taken by ships up and down that Sound. I am told that shortly before she struck a sounding was taken, showing a great depth. When- we were near the northwestern extremity of the island there was a shock like that caused by a heavy sea striking the ship. This was followed by a. grating sound. Some called it a " tearing sound," but I should call it grating. Tt sounded to me as if the shin was grinding along a sort of hummocky surface. There was a second bump, and a s». grating sound, but not' so severe. The ship did not appear to stop. _ v o thrown down. The captain proceeded on the same course for a very short distance —I suppose while the well was beinc; sounded. He then swung her head round., heading towards Stop Island. She took a heavy list to starboard, and also appeared to get down by the head. My impression was that it would not be very long before there would be great danger of her turning turtle. At the same time as the ship's head began to swing round. the whistle was blown for boat quarters. There was no appearance of alarm among the passengers; no confusion among the crew; nothing like panic. The crew got to quarters, and in a time—l can't estimate it, but it was not long,—the launches and some of the boats were in the water. At the same time lifebelts were served out to the passengers, who were all supplied. Most of them put them on. Someone said, " Ladies first," indicating the starboard gangway. Before the first beat was filled and away, the last was in the water. There was some difficulty in launching the last boat—a heavy cne, —because the ship was heeling so miich to starboard that the boat tended to fall inboard, but additional hands swung her out, and she was in the ■water before the other boats were filled. All the women being in the boats, the men were told to get down as fast as they could, and it was evidently considered so urgent that a rope ladder was lowered as well as the ordinary gangway ladder. The men got into the boats as fast as they could, but without pressing or crowding ; and so the boats were- filled, taking all the passengers. As soon as the boats cleared the ship she proceeded to Stop -Island as fast as her engines would drive her. Her screw was so near the surface by that time that it wa.s churning the water. One of the launches with two boats in tow went to a small rock off Passage Island, a quarter or half a mile distant, when they left the ship. The passengers of these boats were landed there, presumably so as to leave those boats and that launch free to take the crew from the ship if necessary. The ship proceeded to Stop Island, where there was a patch of shoal water about two miles off. She was here beached on a platform of rock carrying, perhaps, 20ft of water. Before she reached it the stokers had been working up to their shoulders in water, and the fires were drowned, but there was sufficient pressure in the boilers to take the ship to Stop Island. The principal appeared to be done to the engine-room compartment, which had filled. She took the ground apparently about this compartment, with deep water at both bow and stern. The after compartment slowly filled apparently from the other compartment. Probably the after compartment did not touch the rock. As the vessel filled, the stern appeared to settle down, the ship heeling over more and more, and when we left the cabin portholes on the port side were flush with the water. A launch and boats were sent to the passengers, who had been left on the islet and took them to Stop Island, where the rest of the passengers had been landed. The cabins were cleared, all bedding being takn on shore, also every particle of passengers' luggage and enormous quantities of food. This was all piled on the rocks —much of it below high-water mark, —and it was the task of the afternoon to get it all put into safety. A placo for a camp was found on the top of the islet. It coidd not be called level, but it was as nearly level as ' could be sot there. The islet Avas covered thickly with small timber, which had to be cleared for a space

lor the camp. Everything had to be dragged up by tracks cut through the .scrub to a height of something like 100 ft. Some of the heavy things, such as awnings, had to be hauled up by ropes. Two tracks were made up to the camps, which became trodden into quagmires. They were repaired by trunks of fern trees and lifebelts.- They were disagreeably muddy at the best. The soil on Ihe island consisted of a peaty alluvial like a wet sponge, which, quickly worked into a thin mud. The cooks rjot to work almost immediately, but it "was nearly dark before there was anything hot ieady«: but such things as bread and butter and cold meat were procurable before that. About sunset the awnings were pub in position, it having taken considerable time to clear the site. It came on to rain about this twae, and rained intermittently nearly all night. The awnings having been '.-astily pitched in the first instance were leaky in places, and caused a igood deal of discomfort, but apart from that the passengers as a whole were fairly well housed. The tedding from the "ship was spread in the improvised tents, which together covered a space of a largo ballroom, every passenger having an opportunity of having some sort of shelter, a mattress, and sufficient blankets. Other shelters were erected by tho crew for themselves. The cooks at intervals brought round hot tea and coffee. There was not much sleep, though an occasional snore proclaimed that Eomc person was superior to his surroundings. With the dawn of day everybody was astir; the energetic cook, who cannot be sufficiently praised for his activity, brought round hot coffee and bread and butter. This would be about 3 in the morning. Tho rain fortunately ceased, and the passengers might be seen going about with blankets over their shoulders. The only going about possible being to struggle up and down the two miry tracks or to step gingerly from- rock to rock on the stony beach. As the clay advanced, it became delightfully warm, and the passengers crowded on the rocks, wi;en they speedily became dry. The cook was early to the fore with another meal of a superior nature, and I may dismiss the cock now by saying that he never relaxed his efforts for one is&tant. The stewards were also very active. The purser of the Waikare was particularly active in ministering to the comfort of the passengers, but so, indeed, were all the officers. Somebody conceived' the idea of '■■: inging the ship's piano ashore, and a

;':ie new piano w.n.s hoisted out of the f'up, and with iri/i.niie pains dragged over '■-■e rugged rocks and sat up just at the 1 dge of the cliff, the space available being

iii) more than the piano could stand on. Two planks over a fissure afforded a precarious support for a chair for the performer, and the piano was occasionally heard during the day. The piano, if not brought away, will stand there indefinitely instead of going down with the shin.

Towards midday the captain sent a boat-kr-d of ladies to a camp on Resolution .bland, formerly occupied by Richard Kenry, ex-curator of Resolution Island. This camp was fully equipped with provisions from the Waikare, r-nd every necessity, including men to look after it. paring the day the carpenter was at work improving the rigging up of the .shelter*, which were erected in a* perfectly artistic manner, so that had we passed a second night theseundfir we should have been quite comfortable; but the arrival of the Pioneer rendered these additions unnecessary. The captain, the officers, sjml crew of the Pioneer vied with one another in ministering to the wanLs of the passengers, j

FROM THE BRIDGE. i

AS TOLD BY DR ROBERTS. ; Dr Roberts, of Dunedin, who was one of the Waikare's passengers, gives a graphic account of the disaster as viewed from the captain's bridge. "I was standing on the captain's bridge," said Dr Roberts, " when the vessel struck. I know Dusky Sound pretty well, and was just waiting for the boat to clear Indian Island to point out to my boy, who was standing alongside me, Pickersgill Harbour and the narrow passage into which Captain Cook sailed his vessel, when suddenly the Waikare met with three grating bumps. The captain was at his post and watching his course. I had always observed how clear of the coast he had kept, and had remarked how careful he was. On this occasion we were closer in than ever we lad been, and that, of course, did not escape my notice. As soon as the grating Lump occurred, the captain remarked that . lie had struck something that was not on ihe chart, but his face did not betray that 3c regarded the position with any sense ■ <,t danger. In fact, he showed no change ( i expression, for I was observing him (losely. Standing on the bridge, what had occurred was more like a grinding rip thank a shock. I anxiously looked round for signs of disaster as we kept on our course" and I soon noticed that firemen and seamen were running up from below on to the main deck and looking over the ' side of the vessel. Then one of the officers came on to the bridge, and, without showing any sign of alarm, whispered someth!n°- to the captain. I was standing away from him, and, of course, dud not hear what was said. Then the first officer came up on to the bridge, and, I presume, orders ' were given to him to have the boats loosened. Still the captain's face betrayed no signs of impending danger. The lowerins of the boats followed these consultations, and I thereupon descended from the bridge, and found that lifebelts were being already handed out. After a minute or two I got one for my boy and then one , for myself. Both of us could swim. There was an entire absence of confusion among the passengers, and all seemed remarkably cool and collected-. Some did not seem to realise that there was anv danger at all. In the meantime the Waikare had begun to list to the starboard side, and this list was increasing rapidly. Theeo were the worst moments of all, for it t

looked as if the boat would increase her list until she went completely over. The boats were being lowered efficiently and rapidly, and absolute order prevailed. There was no crowding or screaming and no confusion. The women were first got into the boats, and then the men followed into the boats set apart for them. The seamen and ethers followed, and provisions, etc., were hurriedly thrown in. The Waikare was then stationary, and the lowered boats, with the exception of one. stood by. for about five minutes. Then the Waikare 'steamed slowly off at right angles to the course which she had been pursuing and made for Stop Island, which was quite a mil* away. The boats, filled with passenger* and provisions, followed in her wake. With just sufficient presure of steam remaining .she was run on a shelving rock, which was r.-t visible, even at low water. bhe grounded smoothly and without any apparent shock, her nose only about a chain awav from the shore. She was promptly made fast to the rocks by means of a hawser from her bows, and the passengers and some of the crew were landed from the boats which followed the steamer. The original list of the Waikare was to the starboard side, but she seemed to lose that list, and was resting on a fairly even keel, with, however, a decided drop at tho stern. After landing the passengers the boats returned to the steamer for further provisions and. blankets, baggage and other requisites tor the comfort of the people ashore. The bow of the steamer was then showing the 12ft mark Her most dangerous position, to my mind, was when she began to list so suddenly after the impact. I really thought she was eorawr to turn over and po down, and 1 hnng back from getting into one or the boats in readiness to dive and get clear of the sinking shin and the suction that would be created. Fortunately, of course, that did mot eventuate. It was a case of a sudden list up to a certain and dangerous point, and then a sudden stop. I boarded : i he steamer late on the day we left in the Pioneer her bow being only about a chain from the shore. I went down into tb» saloon, with the ship lying at an angle of about 45 degrees to the port woe. This list was even more pronounced than the one she had taken to the starboard side. Tho saloon port holes on the port sine were just flush with the water, but I did not notice any water in the saloon. I went into mv cabin to see if anything had been left behind, and there was no water there either, it being on a level with the saloon. I came un on deck and had a look into the hold. There was a lot of muddy water in it, and it was still running in. The vessel wars then lust perceptibly sinking sistera more and more, and to my mind her position was certainly a dangerous one. With the list she bad to the port side, I am inclined to think she would careen mere and more, and then roll over on her side." " The one thins: that struck me forcibly." said Br Roberts in. conclusion, " was the splendid behaviour of the i>?e-sinp-ers. There was not the slightest suorgeeium of panic or confusion, and I could not help comparing it with the behaviour of the passengers on n. steamer which I was once on board during a collision. The steamer I refer to was the Arawatta, which" in Port Phillip, Melbourne, was run into bv a sailing vessel. She actually sustained no harm and continued on her voyage, but when the collision, occurred almost everyone rushed about the deck in the ereatest confusion, and yelling in the most excited manner.'

MB A. TODD'S IMPRESSIONS. Seated in the dining room of his comfortable residence in London street Mr Andrew Todd lived over again his experiences of shipwreck and rescue for the benefit of the readers of the Otago Daily Times. " We struck," he said, " at' 12.30. I see that our distance at that time has been set down at 50 yards. Now, distances in the Sounds are very difficult to judge, owing to the great height of the cliffs. Distances from the shore are nearly always under-estimated. I believed the" distance from the shore to be a great deal more than SO yards. The greater part of the trip had been spent in extremely doubtful weather, and when the sun came out a little after 10 a.m. on Tuesday we had hopes of enjoying a very pleasant finish to the tour. We had been, enjoying two hours of welcome sunshine when the vessel struck on a sunken rock, which was said to be uncharted. There was little or no doubt in the minds of most of us as to what had happened, though there was a hope that nothing very serious had occurred. As soon as we had passed over the rock I went forward and found one of the crew sounding the forepart well. _ I felt greatly relieved when I heard him cry out, ' Dry ship !' He '.hen went to the starboard well, and again imported ' Dry ship !' When I came 'aft again about two minutes afterwards I was surprised to notice that many of the passengers were donning "rlfebelts, and I did not at first realise the seriousness of the position till the vessel took a decided list to starboard, which became more pronounced as time went by, and it then became evident that the utmost haste would be necessary to get the passengers into the boats before the steamer should be likely to disappear altogether. It took very little time—some say 15 minutes —from the instant of striking till the boats were lowered and the passengers safely accommodated therein, with a liberal supply of food, such as biscuits, etc. In the meantime the captain and the first officer stuck to the bridge. _ All orders were given in a quiet determined manner that had the effect of avoiding anvthing in the nature of a panic. The ladies left the steamer as calmly as when they boarded her at the commencement of 'the trip. It was very pleasing to note that there was absolutely no attempt of any sort made to rush the boats —in fact, many of the ladies showed a desire to stay by their friends on board

the sinking ship ; and one was heard to observe to her husband : ' If you are going down I am going down with you.' The spirit shown was heroic. It was a magnificent display of courage. It was one of these happenings which convinces one that it is well worth while being proud of belonging to the British nation after all. Here were a number of people in a sinking vessel, and in the midst of what appeared to be imminent peril. No one tried to gain the least advantage over another. You ?ee, it was a case of life Mid death, as far as we knew, but there was a general confidence in (lie cantain, and we all felt that somehow if we obeyed his orders everything would cone right. All the passengers having been transferred, the Waikare steamed away towards a large rock called Stop Island, the captain's object being to discover a likely place to'beach the steamer. We heard afterwards that while he was approaching this island that steam gave out, but the vessel's way carried her forepart on to the rock, where she now swings, with her stern in very deep water. Two boat-loads landed on an island about two miles distant. I was with this party, and. aporoaching the island, we lost sight of the Waikare. Landing and oimhing over the hill, we saw her lying'beach'-d. The launches had been standing by the steamer in case she went down, and when she was beached these launches towed all the boats to the one central spot—Stop Island. Advantage- was taken of the tide being out to discharge as much of the luggage, blankets, beds, and stores as possible. Great activity was displayed, as the spot where the effects were unloaded would be covered at high water. Great difficulty was experienced in getting the luggage, etc.. up the face of the cliff. The entire island is covered with dense bush to the water's edge, and the soil is saturated with many weeks' rain, like a sponge. We went down in the ooze 6in at every step, and some of the big tree ferns were so absolutely rotten that they often broke, and sent us floundering. It just seemed to be some miry tropical home for plant life. We noticed in one tree several large keas with very beautiful plumage. The birds did not seem to be in the least put about by our close proximity, and soon became very curious concerning us. The first work undertaken was the clearing of bush and undergrowth .to make room for the erection of overhead shelters, and the ship's carpenter laboured strenuously in attending to these matters. It was surprising to see what an amount of work was d<:>ne in so short a time. Blankets, bedding, and luggage were passed up the steep cliff to the top, and after canvas had been laid on the ground the beds were packed close together under the awning?. Heavy rain began to fall early in the evening, and the outlook was anything but hopeful. However, a few buoyant spirits managed to ward eff the depression which might otherwise have enveloped many of the tourists. The body of sailors in charge of the cooking depot were unwavering :'o their attention to all. They kept a big fire going all night, and brought round tea, coffee, and other refreshments at frequent intervals. It was the rain that made us all so wretched, and the canvas began to leak where it sagged; but all the same every one oi us was satisfied with anything, thus indicating our gratitude for deliverance from much worse disaster. Next day the captain, thinking he could find some more convenient spot for the accommodation of the ladies, made a launch trip to Resolution Island, about 10 miles off. Here he found an unoccupied hut, and a r;-ther good beach. On returning he took the unmarried ladies over to this building, and as many as the launch and lifeboat could hold were removed on Wednesday morning. While the captain was away" taking the ladies to Resolution Island H.M.S. Pioneer put in an appearance, and after communicating with her by means of the chief officer's signalling abilities, orders were issued for passe'ieers to embark on the warship with as little delay as possible. Meanwhile the launch had returned from Resolution Island, and had to return to bring back the ladies. As the Pioneer was l-ather short of coal, her commander did not deem it advisable for her to steam faster, than 10 knots, and so we did not reach the Bluff til' nearly 6 a.m. on Thursday. The officers and men of the warship were very attentive, and when it is remembered that the Pioneer ha,s oracticallv no accommodation for passencers, it will be understood that the kindness of the men of the. navy will not readily be forgotten by those who were privileged to take advantage of it. The officers gave up their quarters to the ladies, and all "the male passengers enjoyed meals; with the bluejackets. I had two meals with the men forward, and one in thfe wardroom. " Looking back on the trip one just feels heavy of heart to think that Captain Newton, who had been watching his chart continuously, should have had to suffer such misfortune just at the very end, when the open 'sea was in sight Two feet more water and therc_ would have been no mishap. It is just as well that this rock has been discovered in the dav time. Had it happened later on, and at night, ma,ny valuable lives might have been lost. Captain Newton never left the bridge while the vessel was in the Sounds, save when she was at aaiohor. As to the rock on which the Waikare struck, I should say it was aquarter of a mile from the shore, and I should not be surpiised to be told that it was a great deal more. While on board the Pioneer I heard that this rock had been located. The chief officer of the Waikare, who is an R.N.R., was described to me by another passenger as being a very talented man. I think that describes him What I consider the chief point of the caie is that when the steamer was fairly beached the captain immediately despatched the second officer with eight

men in the oil launch, and taking one of the iifeboats in tow, to Puysegur Point lighthouse. This voyage was looked upon as exceedingly hazardous in view of impending weather. As a matter of fact, the men woe in salt watei all the way, and their troubles w.eic increased by the lifeboat's painter parting two or three times. I'hey arrived at the lighthouse ai 9 p.m., and although it. was risky and difficult to effect a landing, the second officer managed to get ashore without damaging the boats. After despatching '.he message to headquarters, they returned to Stop Island, where they were, received with cheers, as the tourists realised that this meant speedy relief. The purser (Mr Dodd) was assiduous in his attentions to all. The second engineer worked up to hi-j armpits in water, and then there were the heroes in the stokehole at their posts <o the very last, displaying that British pluck which comes to the surface on c.cessions Mich as this." ANOTHER ACCOUNT. INVERCARGILL, .January 6. A Dunedin resident possessed of some nautical experience describes the early proceedings thus : —" When the accident occurred we were just completing our inspection of the Sounds preparatory to steaming away for Dunedin. The open sea was only about four miles distant, and we would have been out of the Sounds within an hour. Suddenly we struck a rock, which I am in a position to know is not shown on the chart. Where we were was, according to the authoritative publications, perfectly safe water, but we came upon the hidden rock. The spot was between Indian Island, and other small islets. There was a series of bumps, and the Waikare made a loud rasping noise, and then rose a.s if breasting a .swell. Her bottom must have been ripped up, and one heard the roar of water. It quickly penetrated into the engine-room, and the boat was stopped, her bow being slewed round towards the shore."

STATEMENT BY SIR J. G. WARD.

PRAISE FOR ALL CONCERNED. ; (From Ouh, Own Coesesposdeot.) INVEBCABO4ILL, January 6. As previously stated, Sir Joseph' Ward received the news of the disaster shortly after 10 o'clock en Tuesday evening, and his subsequent actions are best told°in his own words as detailed to one of our representatives after the return of the Pioneer with the Waikare's passengers aboard. The Prime Minister said : "I was stopping at the Bluff, and within 10 minutes of my receipt of the news of the wreck I conveyed a- request to Commander Blunt that the Pioneer should proceed to the scene of the disaster. He at once expressed his willingness to do so, and promptly gave orders for the whole of the crew to assemble on deck. By 10.30 the commander was addressing the crew, telling them that he intended to take the Pioneer round the coast to where the Walk-are was wrecked, so that the Waikare's passengers should be relieved from their distress. He intimated to them that as the Pioneer had less than 20 tons of coal on board it would be necessary to coal bar at once and to get away before 5 o'clock. The general response was: ' It shall be done, sir.' There was no question that action was suited to the word, since they worked with a will. Sixty tons of coal were taken from a coal hulk, filled in bags, and conveyed across the whaurf, a distance of some 60 yards, and the task was completed by 4.45 a.m. Permission was given me per telephone by Mr John Mill, of Port Chalmers, to take the coal, of which he was the owner. The advantage of telephonic communication, was made very evident, as I found it quicker and more effective to telephone and to get a reply from Port Chalmers instead of spending time hunting up the coal manager at the Bluff. "I went on board the Pioneer, and wo got away by 5 a.m. We steamed against a three knot current and a strong bead wind and sea. and yet our average rate of speed was 13-£ knots —a good performance under the cricuanstances. In nine hours, or just after 2 p.m., we sot alongside the Wa.ika.re. I do not think that , too much praise can be given Commander ' Blunt, his officers, and men for the admirable wav in which they worked, particularly when one remembers that everything ' had'to be got readv at short notice. Every - ! thing was arranged, including provisions and We were told before starting that there had been 260 passengers on board the Waikare, but it turned out that some of them had gone overland from Milfoxd Sound. On the way down the paymaster's department prepared soup meat and potatoes, to be readv or arrival at the Waiare. They were all the more anxious to be prepared with food On ' setting to Dusky Sound, as the information'received at the Bluff led us to believe that only the 'Waikare's bows were out of water, and that no provisions were available from her for the pasengers and crew. Such, however, proved not to be the case. The Waikare was really out of water from a little forward of midships. That provisions had been secured from her in no way detracted from recognition of the thoroughness of the preparations made on board the Pioneer for that particular emergency." " From my observations of the position of the Waikare it was at once apparent that she was a doomed vessel. Immediately on arrival a signal message was sent from the shore that the Waikare had struck an unchartered rock off Indian Island, am! that she was settling down fast at the stern. The passengers and crew were standing on the rocks opposite the bow of the Waikare. A bo?# was lowered from the Pioneer amid cheers from the chore, and it was_ set off in charge of one of f he officers with a communication to Contain Newton from the Union Steam Ship Companv. A reply came to the Pioneer from Captain Newton that, the passengers on shore I there would be sent off at once, but

! that it would take a couple of hours before the ladies at Pigeon Island could be on board. The shipping of the passengers commenced, and was carried out systematically and without the slightest confusion. " All concerned should be very thank- ; ful that a serious calamity was averted through the ship having watertight bulkheads on both sides of the divisional compartment, into which the water I mshed directly the accident occurred. Naturally J. did not presume to ask any questions of the Waikare's officers, as I recognised that it would not be a fair thing to do so. " It was sad to see so fine a ship leff in the loneliness of the surroundings ?<f Dusky Sound. In this respect I was struck by the pathetic words of one of the stewardesses, who was much affected as we steamed away from the Waikare. She spoke in sorrow of leaving of what she said had been her comfortable home for a long period. I think that there could bo no question that it was a good thing for all concerned that the Pioneer got there as quickly as she did. A second night's camping on the spongy moist material which is characteristic of those islands would, as one or two or the passengers remarked, be liable to have sown the seeds of rheumatism in many passengers, apart from the question of the discomfiture and the uncongenial conditions to many of enforced outdoor camping. " The Pioneer was not Built to carry passengers, and here, again, with remark- _ able intuition and consideration the commander, officers," and men made 200 odd people as comfortable as was possible within the limited space available. All idea, of their own comfort was forgotten, or, rather, subordinated to that of the Waikare's visitors, all the way from Dusky Sound to the Bluff Harbour. " The reason for the slow return of the Pioneer was due to the large consumption of coal in driving the Pioneer with all speed" to Dusky Sound. She consumed l about two-thirds of the coal supplied, and consequentily had to come baqk under easy steam so as not to run short of coal. Under ordinary circumstances she would not have put to sea at all with such a nnall supply of coal on board. Everything went to show the resourcefulness and readiness of a British man-of-war when an unexpected emergency arises. It seems to me that the commander, officers, and crew, both of the Pioneer and Waikare, all rose tcj the emergency and acted in a way that is worthy of the highest possible commendation. " The wreck of a fine passenger steamer was from these causes made as easy as it was possible to imagine such a disaster could be. The fact that telephonic communication was secured from the lighthouse at Puysegur Point was another instance of the advantages of the telephone. Some time ago I authorised the lighthouse there to be so connected, and it must be reassuring to the public to know that now all the lighthouses have either telephonic; Or telegraphic communication with inland centres." In conclusion, the Prime Minister remarked that through this hurried interview he trusted that readers would be able to form some idea of what was passing through his mind in connection with the unfortunate occurrence. THE GOVERNOR'S SYMPATHY. INVERCARGILL, January 6. The Prime Minister has received th* following telegram from the Governor at Tokaanu : Deeply regret to hear of the loss of the Waikare, and trust that passenger and crew are none the worse for their exposure. Please express my sympathy with them in their misfortune, and thankfulness that there was no loss of , life. Sir Joseph at once complied with hi? Excellency's wishes. THE PIONEER'S CREW. RECOGNITION OF SPLENDID SERVICES. INVERCARGILL; January 6. Sir J. G. Ward personally conveyed to Commander Blunt, on the arrival of the Pioneer at the. Bluff, his appreciation of the promptitude and expedition in proceeding to the wreck, and for the kindness and attention shown by himself, his officers, and crew to these whom they brought back within 24 hours of the Pioneer leaving the Bluff. Sir Joseph Ward .it the same time wired to Admiral Pcore, at Sydney : " On behalf of the Government, I wish,-, through you, to thank Commander Blunt, his officers, and crew for the splendid service at short notice rendered by him in proceeding to Dusky Sound and bringing safely to the Bluff within 24 hours 210 passengers and crew of the wrecked steamer Waikare, all of whom were~made most comfortable on board the Pioneer, and who received the greatest attention and kindness from. Commander Blunt, his officers, and men." Sir James Mills has telegraphed to Com* mander Blunt, of H.M.S. Pioneer, thank* ing him, on behalf of the company, foi so promptly proceeding to Dusky Sound, and for his kindness and that of his officers and crew in attending to tin wants of the passengers he conveyed baclf to the Bluff. " A THEORY. INVERCARGILL, January C. Mr Jas. More, sen., who was the on.'j. Invercargill resident on board of fch< Waikare, gave a very possible solution Tor the non-finding of the pinnacle lock during the subsequent search. He vi.e standing in the bow when the vessel struck, and there were two distinct I shocks and then a quiver. The quiver 1 seemed to him to indicate that the rock ! was pinnacle-shaped, and that the second' | shock had snapped the summit off. The I first hit was just under him in the bows,

and the second on the starboard of the engine. 'ADVANTAGES OF WIRELESS TELEGRAPHY. INVERCARGILL, January 5. A wireless telegraphic plant on tlie Waikare would, have resulted in the Pioneer reaching the spot on Tuesday evening instead of Wednesday afternooa, thus showing that the proposed installation on several of the Union Company's fleet will have its advantages, even although there should be no land stations." '""""■ SERIES OF MISFORTUNES. (From Our Own Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, January 6. The Misses Duckworth, of Southport, England, who are spending a long holiday jtouring the Dominion, were unfortunate enough to have been jwssenaers by the •Takapuna when she touched a rock off 'Jackson's Head a few weeks ago. They wero to get up and dress in case of emergency, and then for an hour were •kept in suspense below. The experience, ■which "'as not a pleasant one, gave both Indies a turn —so much so, indeed, that were seriously contemplating returning to Knglaiid at once. Other counsels pverv/aSed, however, and they stayed on. They had almost decided to make the trip by the Waikare when the Takapuna excellence occurred, and this made them reconsider their plans. They consulted friends in Wellington as to the possibility of anything untoward in such an out-of-the-way par fc of New Zealand, but were assured that the excursion had been made B number of times by the same steamer Without any accident, and it would be a wity to miss the opportunity of seeing the Sounds and Sutherland Falls. The .visitors decided to go, and as fate would

have it were among those who landed from the damaged vessel on Tuesday afternoon, AN OFFICIAL REPORT. The message sent to the Union Company's headquarters from Bluff by Mr T. W. Whitson (secretary) supplies some particulars. His telegram runs thus: li The ship Waikare struck at 12.20 on an uncharted rock —evidently a pinnacle. The ship did not lose her way., Shortly afterwards she listed to starboard, and water came into the engine-room. All the boats were got ready immediately in good order. The engines were then stopped and the boats lowered, and all the passengers were' comfortably landed. The ship proceeded on her own way to Stop Island, and beached there, about a mile and a-half from where the passengers landed." APPRECIATIONS. Some words of since? 3 appreciation were expressed by Mr A. Sinclair, of the firm of Smith, MacGregor, and Sinclair, M'ho was one of the passengers by the ill-fated boat. "I would like. to emphasise," he ■said, " the kindnesses bestowed on us by the staff of the Waikare. Everyone speaks in the highest terms of their unremitting attention "to the wants and comfort of the passengers. It was the same from the time we left Dunedin until the time we left their charge. The purser, Mr Dodd, was in this respect a host in himself. He absolutely never ceased working. After we had" landed the greatest attentions were paid us. Hot coffee was served us in bed at 12 o'clock at night and at 4 o'clock in the morning. The passengers could not have been better treated. It was the same on board the Pioneer until -ihe reached the Bluff. Every available blanket was handed over to the passengers, and the officers slept .merely in their over-

coats on the bare decks. Another matter! which struck me forcibly was the marvellous expedition with which the boats were got off when the ship struck. And then everyone acted according to instructione, and "that and the total absence of confusion facilitated matters greatly." AN UNFORTUNATE INDIVIDUAL LOSS. " Mr George Moodie, photographer, states that he has suffered a loss totalling about i £3O through losing a box of plates, nega- | tives, and prints which he had on board J in the baggage room. Mr Moodie has made a large number of trips to the Sounds in his professional capacity, and on this ■ occasion he had secured some excellent ! pictures, some of which are lost. He was j fortunate, however, in being able to save j a lens valued at £6O. Mr Moodie natur- j ally took the opportunity of securing j photographs of the wreck and of the camp, j HUMOROUS INCIDENTS. With danger all over, humour might be i looked br. And humour was found. In j fact, taking a line from the anecdote and reminiscences in evidence during the j journey to town it would seem as though Humour had decidedly graced the temporary residents on Stop Island. The following arc a few of the incidents culled: A certain Englishman present found himself unable to endure, on the morning of Wednesday, the growth of stubble upon his face. Unable to secure attention from others, he was finally observed upon the seashore painfully and laboriously performing the ceremony with the aid of sea water. It is not suggested that he used sea foam as a lather. When the vessel first struck, excellent discipline was maintained by ali. Some- ' one, however, gave some ladies the advicp to divest themselves of their skirts, as perhaps they would be required to swim. This they consented to do, and reached the shove not so completely attired as were their companions.

A lady commented upon the fact that she was lately on board the Takapuna when it touched at Nelson. She won dered whether she was a Jonah, and mentioned that a steward on board had been in seven wrecks and had but missed the Penauin by virtue of being an hour late!

Uproarious laughter was occasioned when a valiant tar, in endeavouring to do some salvage work which necessitated crawling through an aperture in the vessel, forgot that he wore a lifebelt, and consequently stuck wriggling halfway.

IN DUSKY SOUND

THE LOCALITY DESCRIBED. UNCHARTED WATERS. ■ Dusky Sound lies -45 miles north of Preservation Inlet, ■■.:. which is the "'■most .southerly of the Sounds.' Dusky Sound possesses more historical interest than any other on the coast. It, .was explored by Captain Cook in 1773, and there also is the haven where Vancouver's ship, the Discovery, rode out a' heavy gale. .The entrance to the Sound is wider than that of any of the others, and the' islands which lie in the way of the passage are larger and more numerous than those elsewhere. To the left is Five Fingers peninsula, a point of Resolution Island' which separates Dusky from Breaksea Sound, and which was named by Cook on, account of five pointed rocks at its extremity. Anchor Island', which rises to a height of 1360 ft, lies immediately within the entrance, and is surrounded by a number of smaller islets, which form a continuous chain nearly to the head of the Sound. The islands are all thickly wooded, and differ only in shape and size. Dusky Sound is rich in the possesion of snug coves rejoicing in queer names. On the right there are Shelter and Cascade Coves, but on the other side are coves bearing the names of Woodhen, Cormorant, Duck, and so on, while in the case of Goose Cove the spot was named in commemoration of the liberation there of geese brought by Cook in 1773. Mr H. F. Skey, the officer in charge of the magnetic observatory in Christchurch, was a member of a scientific expedition which went to Dusky Sound last year, and which spent some time in the locality where the wreck took place. Mr Skey says that the coast of the Sound is heavily timbered, apparently in all directions, the forests being very dense. As to the Sound-itself, he states that it has not been at all completely examined, that it abounds in sunken rocks, many of which have never been charted, and that it is a very dangerous locality. As a matter of fact," he adds, "the whole place seems to be full of little rocky islets. THE DANGERS OF THE SOUND. A gentleman who spent some 12 months in residence on Resolution Island, the largest, island in the Dusky Sound -group, and who during that period very thoroughly explored the many intricate passages of the Sound in an oil launch, when interviewed- on. Wednesday by a Lyttelton Times reporter, said it was impossible to say whether the Waikare struck on a charted or an uncharted rock He showed a reporter a large-scale chart of the Sound, and drew attention to the numberless little black dots which were scattered ove*- the waterways, mostly close to the coast, but in a good: many instances well out in the centre of channels. These dote, he said, represented big pinnacle rocks, many of them submerged a few feet, which waited like strong sharp fangs to tear the bottom plates out of any vessel passing over them. During hie sojourn in the Sound he had found it necessary to mark on his chart two additional rocks, and one of these had also been observed by the cruiser Pioneer. The dangerous nature of the Sound in the way of hidden rocks was intensified by the strong tidal currents set up in the narrow iniets. He presumed that the commander of the Waikare had had considerable previous experience of Dusky Sound," for it

would have been in the highest degree unlikely that an inexperienced master would be sent to such an exceptionally dangerous locality.

THE NAVIGATION OF THE SOUND. Chatting with a Lyttelton Times reporter, Mr Wilson, of the Christchurch staff of the Union Company, gave some very interesting particulars of Dusky Sound, to which he has made several trips on different vessels, including some on the ill-fated Waikare. Mr Wilson said that there was a great depth of water in the main channel — about 200 fathoms. Where streams ran into the Sound the water shoaled, but the charts showed such places clearly. Across the entrance there was a chain of small islands, many of which had not been named, and he was of the opinion that Stop Island was one of them. Sandy beaches were frequently met with, and it would be easy enough to find a spot for beaching. The water was always smooth inside, the island chain breaking the force of the sea, and, as the Sound was narrow, it was usual to inn up the centre, giving passengers a view- of both sides. There were many armis into which the excursion steamers ran, and had to "back and ii'l " to get out, but he never heard of uncharted locks being a source of danger. Questioned as to the probable cause of the vessel's striking, Mr Wilson said that the surveys of the Sounds were sometiires considered imperfect, and he could account for the accident only by the presence of r pinnacle rock that had been overlooked, 'and which had probably been passed dozens of times previously. Navigation in the Sounds was considered very safe, and vessels often steamed at full speed all the time. The water was deep, and masters dodged about to obtain different views for the passengers with perfect safet\ r . In many places the Sound was not more than a mile wide. In one of the other Sounds, Mr Wilson lidded, the Tarawera was supposed to have once grazed a lock, but. a later search had fniled_to discover it. Vho Sounds genevallv were looked upon as being perfectly safe. STATEMENT BY THE HON. T. MACKENZIE. INVEECARGILL, January 6. The Hon. Thomas Mackenzie, who was on a visit to Invercargill to-day, was interviewed in regard to Dusky Sound, with which he *is particularly well acquainted. He said that the Sounds had a great interest for him because of historical associations, and also because of the ■fact that in 1894 and 1896 he explored the country between the south-west 'arm of Manapouri and Supper Cove, of Dusky, connecting his explorations with the part that Captain Cook finished. Dusky Sound was the scene of Captain Cook's most imporETant coast work. He made a most careful survey of it, and his maps to this day were, Mr Mackenzie considered, the very best that had ever been published. He (the Minister) haft spent a month in the Sound. There was 'ah island called Anchor Island near the entrance, and during a fearful storm that raged in t 7 inside harbour the Vancouver : was nearly wrecked. There were dangerous rocks in the Sound, -and there was one-, which Cap- . tain Sinclair, formerly of the Tarawera, had been afraid of. It was only 12ft deep at low tide. There were also a lot < small islands that no- navigator would go near; but he (Mr Mackenzie) had always understood that the fairway was clear. Do you think that this accident will interfere with the tourist traffic ? Mr Mackenzie was asked. " Oh, no," replied the Minister. " Navigators can afford to leave the south side of Indian Island and take the north side (the way I have usually gone), where the waterway is deep ajid wide." A SCIENTIST'S OPINION. MANY ROCKS. - Mr R. Speight, who was with an expedition of Canterbury scientists which visited the Sounds last season, told a Lyttelton Times reporter that pinnacle rocks abounded in the inlets. He produced the official chart, from the survey made in 1851 by H.M.S. Acheron, portions of which are also those made by Cook and Vancouver. The chart shows that, the average depth in Dusky Sound is from 100 to 120 fathoms, and all the small islands, one of which is Stop Island, are marked. "The place appeared to me to be somewhat dangerous," said Mr Speight, "for a rock may be seen jutting out of water 80 or 100 fathoms in depth, and there is nothing to show whether near that rock there may be others submerged. The water is so calm that there are no wave indications to point to dangerous spots, and, though the main rocks and shoalings are marked, there must be many pinnacles that have never been charted."

Mr Speight added that some of the main rocks were buoyed, and the work of surveying had been fairly well done. The pinnacles were the remains of the hills that had been carried into the sea by the great glaciers, and it was hard to say how many treacherous rocks there might be. He added that while in Dagg's Sound the expedition saw breakers in the channel, where the sea was striking a submerged rock, and the boat was sailing in deep water within a stone's throw of the rock. It would therefore be impossible, without sounding every inch of the placid waters of Dusky Sound, to discover the submerged rocks that would prove destructive. A FRESH SURVEY NEEDED. ,V MR LAUREN SON INTERVIEWED. Mr George Laurenson, M.P., who knows Dusky Sound fairly well, having spent two clays and two nights there, said that he doubted whether the locality in which the wreck had l occurred had been rightly announced. Passage Island

was not in Dusky Sound at all, but several miles to the southward, at the entrance to Chalky Inlet, It was very probable that Pigeon or Parrot Island was the island meant. Indian Island was near the southern entrance to the Sound, and was given its name by Captain Cook, who saw Maoris on the island. Mr Laurenson remarked that be had spent some tame fishing near Pigeon Island, and had been struck by the dangerous appearance of the sea in this locality. At Supper Cove, near*By, the captain of the steamer on which he travelled *ad pointed out one or two very dangerous rocks, unmarked by buoys or any other indication of their presence. It was well known that there were still several uncharted rocks in the Sound, and it was quite easy to account for such an accident as that which had happened to the Waikare. As far as Dusky Sound itself was concerned the water was perfectly calm, though very deep. What was known as Five-finger Point acted as a natural breakwater to the Sound. Untif last April Lieutenant Goldfinch was stationed as caretaker of the bird sanctuary at Resolution Island, but was removed when the retrenchment policy began to operate. In view of the beautiful scenery to be seen in this Sound, and the large number of visitors to it that might be expected in the future, it was in his opinion very desirable that a thorough survey should at once be made of the Sound and the other West Coast Sounds. A TREACHEROUS LOCALITY. Nautical men are inclined to the opinion that the position of the Waikare. which is lying with her forward part aground and her stern in 11 fathoms of water, is a very critical one, as there is a grave danger of the vessel breaking her back. An ofheer who was formerly on a steamer trading regularly from Greymouth to the Bluff, 'informed a 'Christen uxch Press renter that on many occasions his vessel, when -meeting heavy southerly gales on the West' Coast, had run into Breakaaa Sound for shelter, and had made her way via the Acheron Passage and out through Dusky vSound. The master of the veissel usually,accepted the advice of the Bluff fishermen sheltering in the Sound for guidance through the clangers of the passages. These men had an excellent local knowledge of the innumerable hidden dangers of the Sounds, and were for more reliable in many cases than the latest corrected charts, which bore no markings or records of the hundreds of submerged roclcs and jasr<?ed pinnacles Ivincr hidden several **et below the cairn surface of the deep waters of the Sounds. In many places these icnsg needle-like pinnacles and points of rock came to within a few feet of the surface where 60 or 100 fathoms of water might be shown on the chart, but in, scores of places the jagged teeth of the rocks standing in these great depths weire there waiting to impale any vessel which mirfit be unfortunate enough to attempt the passage and to steer through' apparently clear water. Oftentimes the fishermen when asked why a certain deviation was necessary, would replv that the steam w was mWin? a Jagged Tock entirely submerged and giving; absolutely '• no sign of its dangerous proximity; •■:; NOTES BY OUB. BLUFF CORRE-, 7 SPONDENT. ~,,,, The course steered by the Waikare at the time o'f the accident was exactly that sailed on the occasion of the previous trip. Subsequently soundings were taken, and they gave quite sufficientwater for the steamer sailing clear. It is thought that she must have struck a. knob which tore along her bottom to amidships,, and then got knocked. off, the reef, ;,no obstruction of the kind being found by the soundings. Amongst the many tales told by the Fiords traveller,? I heard two. They are notable for their diversity. "Such a time of wind, rain, and discomfort generally,"' said one. " Simply beggars" description,'' and thereupon he proceeded to describe his experiences. The other was voiced by a fair young female : '' When we got ashore on the island we took possession of a nice little hut, and had just finished cleaning and making it comfortable when that horrid gurtboat came in sight. Our next door neighbours were a party of gentlemen who played the guitar delightfully. We reckoned putting in a pleasant Week ori the island, but no, we got bundled off at a moment's notice."

All the effects belonging to both passengers and crew aire safe. Some of the latter, who were set to work the boats, were unable to get at all their baggage, but they are quite satisfied that it has been brought away by their mates and will turn up again. The Bluff has been scoffed at because of the provision made for the arrival of the shipwrecked wayfarers. It has been compared with the preparations for a Sundays school picnic. As a matter of fact, they were made on the order of the Union Steam Ship Company, whoso guests the passengers were pending their arrival at their port of embarkation.

So severely taxed were the energies of Captain Blunt and his gallant crew that they had marked difficulty on. groping their way to the wharf on.their return to the Bluff. '

The parties left oh the island in charge of the wreck are the captain, first and second officers, the two engineers, and the head steward, together with a few men to assist. It is considered at the Bluff that the Waikare is not so very badly damaged as we have been led to suppose. In support of this it is argued the Moura would have been intercepted at the'Bluff had the wreck been entirely hopeless, whereas she was instructed to go on with, all possible speed to Dusky Sound. (From Our Special Reporter ox Tirr Motora.) lr.nu.ry 7. Shortly after 10 - :\ocU -■'■• '■ ■ nesday night the "Wails. ; • L .!.■::.• <•■■■ o port

and sank, her bow resting on the reef opposite- (Stop Island, and her stern beingout of : sight in deep water, pointing downwards into 20 fathoms. As she heeled oyer before finally sinking and partly disappearing, water was seen to be pouring from

:. i A GREAT HOLE in her bottom near amidships, and if no other evidence was available this was sufficient; to show the great gash that had been made by the rock the previous day. When the Moura arrived in Dusky Sound, at half-past 9 on Thursday morning, all that was to be seen of the illfated Wadkare was a small longitudinal slice of deck showing above the water as she lay on her side. A tiny fleet of seven boats and two launches were bobbing serenely in a little cove near by. A few men could be seen scrambling about the rough bare rocks at the water's edge, or sitting on their haunches at the fringe of the dense vegetation that covers Stop Island, staring desolately at all that remained of their late home. The ship lay some 50ft off the rocks, or, as the men called it, the beach. THE MOURA'S VOYAGE.

The Moura's arrival was eagerly welcomed by the men remaining in Dusky Sound, for they did not expect her until the following day. At 9 o'clock on Tuesday evening the Moura was absolutely out of commission. She had no crew, no coal, no provisions, and everything movable was either ashore or locked up; yet by half-past 8 on Wednesday morning the Moura, properly equipped, provisioned, and manned, and with 160 tons of coal aboard, sailed for Dusky Sound. Nothing more than that is needed to show the resourcefulness of the Union Company, the thoroughness of its organisation, and the capacity of its servants. Captain Colin M'Donald, assistant marine superintendent, was in charge, and Gaptain Showman was skipper. Mr Hall was acting chief officer, Mr Gow was second, and Mr W. Morgan was chief engineer. The crew were hurriedly collected in Port Chalmers on Tuesday night, and in the very early hours of Wednesday did excellent service. On board, in addition to press reporters, were Mr A. M'lnlyre, the company's repair superintendent, and Mr R. Rae, foreman boilermaker. The ship also carried a considerable quantity of material and machinery that might be required in salvaging operations. The Moura, never a steady ship, met a stiff south-easf wind' after passing Cape Saunders, and, having no cargo, she pitched a'bout most uncomfortably, making certain of her passengers very ill and retarding her speed considerably. She hove too off the Bluff at half-past 10 o'clock that night, seeking instructions, and a few minutes later a tug boat's lights broke eerily through the murky darkness. Faintly heard above the swish and roar of the sea came a voice, with, a formal question: "~Moura ahoy!" "Ay ay," returned the Moura's skipper. The voice boomed again.: "Keep right on and communicate with, the warship." " Ay, ay," from the bigger boat, and then a conversation, carried on with tremendous difficulty, ensued, and the Moura ascertained that H.'M.S. Pioneer had left the Bluff for the scene of the wreck early that morning, and that she might return at any time with the passengers-;aboard. Then the tug drifted away into therdarkness again, Moura's engines • recommenced their monotonous throbbing, and the vessel, jamming her nose into the teeth of a cold, strong south-wester, began to jump .about in a dreadful manner./ Some r. ours • later —at 2 o'clock —the lights of the■ Pioneer were descried a long, way off,' but the night was dirty and the sea so rough that communication between ' the two vessels was impossible: The Moura continued on bar way, and a few hours after daylight entered Dusky Sound. THE SCENE OF THE WRECK. When the steamer and passengers found themselves at least in smooth water nea* Indian Island they were able to forget the horrors of mal de mer. They looked out anxiously for the beached Waikare. Camp fire smoke, drifting lazily over a densely-wooded islet a mile distant, located th« castaways, but there seemed no sign c: a ship. A panorama of green bushcovered islets, dark glistening water, and majestic towering mist-swathed mountains—one of the most beautiful of its kind in the world —enticed the wandering eye, and gladdened the artistic sense, but the Moura's people confined their gaze to the innumerable channels and bays of the Sound, and industriously sought a glimpse of the familiar red funnel which would locate the Waikare. It was not for some time that the queer shapeless mass, just showing above the water near Stop Island, was identified as a bit of the late pleasure steamer lying helplessly and hopelessly sunk. A steam launch tearing across the choppy water from Stop Island brought Captain Newton (skipper of the Waikare) on to the Moura, and conveyed the Moura's passengers to the camp. The latter, piloted round by muddy, wet, unshaved, cheerful men, heard for the first time the story of the disaster.

WHERE THE WAIKARE STRUCK. The Waiikar© had come through Acheron passage from Break Sea Sound, and was heading down Dusky Sound for the open sea en route for Dunedb. She was travelling at the usual rate of speed over the usual course. The weather was fine, the time was noon, and the tide was low. Everyone was dining, and the ehip swung

into the broad channel between Indian Island and Passage Island, where tbo chart shows a uniform of 136 fathoms.

Suddenly, and without the slightest warning, the ship struck, and bump, bump, bumped over some obstruction. The crash alarmed everyone, and there was a simultaneous rush on deck.

The second officer, Mr Appleyard, says that he was on the bridge, and for a moment he was not sure of what had occurred. Had she merely grazed the rock, or was she seriously damaged? He was not kept long : n doubt. In two minutes the doomed Waikare had a list to starboard, and as the mate hurried away to act as circumstances required, he met the engineer, who reported that water was rapidly entering the engine room. What happened then has doubtless been sufficiently well told ere this Everyone now knows how the conduct of Captain Newton at this crisis was such as was to be expected of such, an old and valued servant of the company. He was cool, calm, and resourceful, and at. once made up his mind what to do. Everyone now knows, too, of the admirable behaviour of the crew and passengers, and how the total absence of panic or confusion allowed all. the passengers to be safely landed without injury or accident of any sort The ship appeared to everyone to be sinking rapidly, and the captain determined to beach her. Her helm was put to port, and the stricken Waikare, rolling heavily, and going slower and slower, struggled like a wounded bird to the little cove at Stop Island, a mile and a half away. Those who know the Sound declare that the captain could not have made a wiser choice. He wanted shallow water and the most suitable campingground possible, and he got the best of both. He might have done better had he gone further, but the fact that the ship had nearly lost way when she goi into shallow water at Stop Island, and that Mr M'Arthur (engineer) was up to his waist in water when he turned off steam, shows how extremely delicate was the calculation made by the skipper. The Waikare touched the rock at 25 minutes past 12, and in 35 minutes she was beached, all th° passengers and nearly ajl the crew were ashore, and most of the former's baggage was safe. The officers and men of the Waikare had carried out their duties with remarkable expedition, but within the next few hours, while the passengers' luggage and other matter was being landed, even quicker work was seen. Full particulars of this work have already no doubt been published THE WRECKED SHIP.

When we were lauded at Stop Island on Thursday morning the Waikare seemed to have found her last resting-place. She lies within 50ft of the island, and the first heavy sea that washes into the Sound will in all probability grind her to pieces on the rocks. She lies much closer in now than when she was first beached. During Wednesday she came closer in, and in the evening the anxious crew whom the Pioneer had left behind—all except some 15 men had gone—saw that she'could not long remain in an upright position. She had a considerable list to port, and this was slowly but steadily increasing. It was evident that the watertight bulkheads protecting the fore and aft parts of the ship from amidships, where the leak was, were giving way, and that the water was slowly filling the whole vessel. When darkness fell she was obviously sinking, being well down by the stern. Towards 10 o°ciock the men in camp up near the top of the island were startled by all sorts of Weird nokes. First there came the sound of the iron hull grinding on the reef, followed by the crashes and smashes of crockeTy and furniture tumbling about inside the slowly-turning vessel, and the explosions and rumblings of air confined somewhere in the hull. When the Waikare finally turned over on her side and laid her spars and funnel on the reef the strange sounds that went echoing round among the lonely islands are described by the crew as being almost nerve-shattering. Added to this was the knowledge, which to a sailor is more disconcerting than anything else, that a well-loved ship was in her death throes. Even while the Waikare floated there were few, if any, who thought that she was not damaged beyond repair, but when she finally sank all of the little party knew that the ship was doomed to leave her bones on the reefs of Stop Island. SCENE OF THE CAMP. The castaways' camp was a sight in every sense unique. The situation was picturesque. Thirty feet of ragged rocks lay between the lapping waters and the dense vegetation, and the latter rose direct from the rocks at an angle of 60 degrees to a height of a couple of hundred feet. The cove, of course, faced the east, and in the deepest part of its curve was a great gash as if a Titan's dagger had been driven right at the heart of the island. In this deep ditch a gentle wash— ; the dying movement of the Southern Ocean swell —growled and grumbled. All about was the deep water and wonderful bush of the Sounds. Towering a little distance to the north were the wooded heights of Kesolution Island, the famous sanctuary of native birds, and at the back, some three miles away A was Facile HautbauK. where lay the

wreck" of the old Endeavour—one of the first ships to sail those 'onely waters. Undoubtedly Stop Inland was a picturesque and interesting spot, but it was not by any means a comfortable one. The appearance of the b?ach was positively unique. Flanked at one end by the ditch aforesaid and on the other by broken water, it carried over its entire length a marvellous collection of articles—heaps if blankets, vugs, boxes and portmanteaus, boat fittings,- spam, kitchen furniture, broken umbrellas, ladies' shoes, fruit cases, hats, sides of beef and mutton, and books strewed the rocks in every direction. At one place was a concert room piano, landed for the amusement of the ladies at tremendous trouble by the more gallant castaways, and further away was a. kitchen table bearing traces of chopped-up fish and beef. "Come up to the camp," said a genial sailor. "There was the main street." He pointed to a rope disappearing in the bushes just over our heads. We grabbed ahold and climbed, but no sooner were we in the bush than we were over our ankles in thick red mud. The soil of the island was simply thousands of years' accumulation of decayed vegetable matter, left in a perpetual state of soft sponginess by the prevailing humidity of the atmosphere. The constant passage of scores of feet had worked this into a condition better imagined than described. " How on earth did the ladies climb up here through this?" the guide was asked. "The ladies," said the guide—he was the chief steward, —" were bricks. I never heard a murmur from one of them, and you can understand the discomforts they suffered. Many of them took their stand in the chain which we formed from the rocks to the camp .above there, and did their share in passing up fully seven.tons of luggage and stuff. They got their feet against roots and their arms round trees, and they simply hung on and worked. Others busied themselves ekewhere. Many began to assist in preparing food, and I saw two fair your girls hard at it cutting up firewood." By now we had climbed and slipped and scrambled to the camp, and were in a perfectly wonderful tarpaulin shelter. Our guide was a true sailor. He d.id not point out to us the wonders of that camp and ask us to marvel at the ingenious manner in which those great sheets had been spread out between the trunks of flowering rata and luxuriant fern trees, and he did not direct our attention to the scores of ship's mattresses lying everywhere on top of other tarpaulin sheets, all now soaking wet as a result of the heavy rain overnight and the dripping wetness of the bush. He did not introduce us at once to the Waikare's chef, who in shirt and trousers, unshaved, and cheerful, was busy over a sizzling wood fire and sundcry pots and pans. No; that sailor turned suddenly with a fine show of enthusiasm: " What do you think!" he said. "One- of our cats had four kittens last night after the ship went down; come and see 'em."

Here and there in a few dry corners men Jay dozing, and from ■ them and a group of jolly fellows who watched the chef's operations with becoming interest we heard the story of the wreck once more, and many interesting incidents narrated by the way, and with one voice these men bore testimony to the behaviour of the ladies in the very trying circumstances in which they were placed. Their evidence was to the same effect as that of the captain, who later stated, with fervour, that " they were angels, sir—angels."

There were roughly three campe—the crew's, the men's, and the ladies, the last named being the biggest of all. They were close together, and the chef's fire on an eminence in the middle, aided by hurricane lamps, lit the whole of them. Hurricane lamps also lit the tracks down the rocks, which •were further marked out by ropes down the slope. Here, as on the beach, Avas a heterogenous mass of articles. Tarpaulins covered the ground all about, and in places where one might otherwise sink deeply in a peaty bog lifebelts were spread, and blankets, wet and muddy, were everywhere. More often than not anything white had the print of a big muddy boot upon it. The captain's dining table, as it was called, was a pile of bolsters, on which were bread, butter, cheese, etc. There was abundance of excellent food for all, for the ship's stores had been brought ashore anyhow, and, there being no discrimination, were placed at the disposal of the castaways. They still tell with delight of a member of the crew, who, while proceeding to drink a bottle of potent liquor, asked casually if it was as strong as mild whisky. The camp bore traces of its very hasty evacuation by the passengers when the Pioneer arrived. Here was a green silk petticoat, there a beflowered hat, yonder a pair of dainty shoes, or a silk hat, or a pair of pyjamas lying under tree trunks, and in odd corners were various boxes and bags bearing no labels. They were somebody's property, the men said, but no one knew whose. Each man supposed that his own luggage was somewhere kicking about, but scarcely one knew where to find his own property. THE ROCK DISCOVERED. .

Meanwhile as we investigated l ashore, the Mourn took her way up the Sound, and secured a safe anchorage in that, wonderfully beautiful little corner known as Duck Gove. She left behind the launch and a couple of row boats, which proceeded to make soundings about where

the Waikare struck. The boats for a long time went on unsuccessfully, finding nothing but unvarying deep water. Then at last a line went, down only ..a few fathoms, and hung there. This was only for a moment. The ,line was pulled, moved, and lost its hold, a.nd, as the curent runs very strongly hero the men went immediately ashore and marked the spot. They were not -able to find this spot again, but,, they are positive that they rested their line on what is • apparently a pinnacle of rock about the' place wher.e the Waikare's bottom was'torn out. There was not time to do more on Thursday, and the Moura left at 8 o'clock this morning, but the party left behind—Mr M'lntyre (the repairs superintendent), Mr Appleyard (second officer of the Waikare), and five men—will make closer and more searching investigation and attempt to get the rock charted. Early on Thursday afternoon, after Captains M'Donald and Newton and Mr M'lntyre had made an examination of the wreck and the camps, all hands were turned to the work of getting the baggage, etc., from the camp on to the boats and aboard the Moura. This was easier work than that of hauling it up the side of the island, and yet it was strenuous enough. The men, tired and weary as they were by the fatiguing events of the past few days, worked like galley slaves, and, under the direction of the two captains, quickly loaded the boats. The Wa.ikare's steam launch took a few away early in the afternoon, and came back in order to assist the naphtha launch in towing the main fleet of boats to the ship. The little flotilla left the wreck about 6 o'clock, and made the five-mile journey to the Moura in about an hour. The mists of evening were creeping out of the mountains and over the waters of the loch and hiding some of the most beautiful bush country in the world from the eyes of men who were, however, too tired to appreciate the wonderful scenes presented to them as the chain of boats continued its way up the Sound. Once aboard, and a hearty meal partaken of, electric lights were hung about the ship, and work was recommenced. Cranes were promptly in action, and when the small craft had been unloaded Captain M'Donald had the seven boats and two launches swung aboard and securely lashed down. Here again a scene presented itself that gave a descriptive writer extraordinary opportunities. The electric lights lit up the black, placid, unrippled waters of the little cove, and threw into greater darkness the dark, overhanging, densely wooded hills of Resolution Island. The harsh rattle of machinery and the voices of the men echoed and echoed again, and, except the sudden shrill piping of the wekas, were the only sounds that disturbed the awful stillness that broods over that country. At 8 o'clock this morning the Moura left her snug anchorage, and steamed out to sea. She hove-to for a moment opposite the wreck, and sent off Mr M'lntyre, Mr Appleyard, a steward, and four men in a lifeboat. They will stand by the wreck, and do any salvage work that is possible, and will take soundings. They are well provisioned and fitted put, and expect to be picked up next week by the Koonya when she finishes her West Coast trip, and is returning to. Dunedin via Foveaux Strait.

The Moura arrived off Puysegur Point Lighthouse at noon, and Captain M'Donald signalled the fact that the Waikare was a total wreck. At 6 o'clock the Moura was off the Bluff, where the captain stopped a few minutes to put a passenger ashore, Then he continued the voyage to Port Chalmers in the expectation of arriving there early to-morrow morning. INCIDENTS AND COMMENTS. When the Waikare was beached and the ship's company safely landed everyone devoted his or her energies to getting creatine comforts ashore. It was then impossible to say what was to become of the ship. Clearly she was not habitable. Naturally, every man among the passengers was expected to assist the hurrying, perspiring, overworked crew, and right willingly did the former turn too, but there were exceptions. Members of the ship'is company yet speak with the greatest indignation of certain men who secured books and made themselves comfortable amongst the rocks during the afternoon, and seemed inclined to make thenwelves unpleasant because the afternoon was waning before they were given anything to eat. It has been freely stated that tbe,se were the men who, when the ship struck, seemed anxious to place their own personal safety before every other consideration. However, the tremendous energy of the crew and the other passengers, and the exceptionally capable manner in which Captain Newton directed operations soon wrought a change on the island. The ship for a time kept a comparatively even keel, tarpaulins, food, bedding, clothing, kitchen utensils, and the hundred-and-one things that were necessary came up the companionways in a perfect cataract. Examples of self-sacrifice, kindliness, and cheerfulness reported in connection with the wreck are so numerous that they cannot all be reported, but, taken in the aggregate, they show that Britons do not yet lack the boasted characteristics of the race. One instance may be cited. A gentleman who appeared to be in a delicate, if not in a dangerous, condition of health took a very prominent part in the difficult work of pulling luggage up the island, and inspired many by bis example. Later on, when the all-per.meat-

ing dampness a;nd rain set in he insisted on giving up his oilskin coat to a sick lady, and himself doing without.

A remarkable instance of how cats born and bred on a ship conceive an attachment for the vessel has been furnished by the Va:ikare wreck. The seamen, of course, took their pets —live cats and the bosun's canary—ashore with them, but one of the animals seemed unhappy. On Thursday morning, when the men were inspecting the little bit of the hull that remained above water pus got out in a boat near to her old home, plunged on to the hull, dived through an open port hole, and disappeared. She Avas never seen again. Mr Halcombe, of New South Wales, a gentleman who had learned the arts of the Australian bush, proved an exceedingly useful castaway. Stop Island, being very wet, was without dry wood, and the men had difficulty in lighting fires, hut the Australian, with a pen knife and special knowledge, quickly procured combustion. A water difficulty also troubled the cook, for the island, though so wet, had bo handy accumulations of fresh water. It was, therefore, brought off the ship and stored and carried xm the hSI with tremendous trouble.

There was much excitement in on Wednesday night following on tfa% sinking of the Waika.re. The men sought to gain some sleep, and quietness reigned, but the ship's cats and the island's wekas, mutually irritated by the novelty of the surroundings, came into collision and fought a royal and noisy battle in the shelters among the sleepers. The seamen say the victory lay with the cats, but as the latter show scratched noses, and there is an absence of defunct wekas, the weight of evidence is in the other direction. "•

The Maura found one passenger at the Sounds who' had declined to leave by the Pioneer, and who elected to see the adventure out. He was Mr W. C. Harper, a son of the Hon. Robert Harper, .of Melbourne. He is said to have been one of the most industrious and most selfsacrificing of the castaways, and to have performed some remarkable feats in hustling heavy luggage up the hill. He returned by the Moura to-day, and slept for nearly 24 hours after getting aboardMERIT RECOGNISED. (From Our Own Correspondent.) " WELLINGTON, January 7. Tfiiere is a general chorus of appreciation, here regarding the splendid conduct of all concerned in connection with the Waikare wreck. The fine seamanship displayed by officers, engineers, and men is recognised with pride, and the Union Company, the Prime Minister, and Commander Blunt, of the Pioneer, also come in for hearty "congratulations for the promptness of their action. The narrow escape from a terrible catastrophe under less favourable circumstances is fully recognised,, and it is urged on all hands that it is the duty of the Marine Department,,,to niake a more careful survey of the Sounds.- - '- v • "PREVIOUS MISHAP IN SOUNDS. TARAWERA TOUCHES A ROCK. Mr J. J. Mallard, manager of tht National Insurance Company, Wellington, ■recalls the case in which another steamer of the Union Company's fleet, touched a rock in the Sounds. This was on February 12, 1883, the vessel being the Tarawera, then commanded by Captain Sinclair. On that occasion the Tarawer* touched an uncharted rock when steaming between Rolla Island and the mainland in Hall's Aran at the head of Smith Sound . The matter was reported at the time. AN OLD-TIME WRECK. GOVERNOR BOWEN IN H.M.S. CLIO. The wreck of the Waikare brings to mind a similar disaster of many years ago. In. 1871 the then Governor, Sir G. F. Bowen, was wrecked in Bligh Sound, in H.M.S. Clio, commanded by Commodore Stirling. His Excellency was paying an official visit to the Middle Island in the warship. The Clio, reported the Governor in a despatch, was to proceed in the first instance to Hokifcika, " the chief tow,n and centre of population of the goldfields on the West Coast. Thence we were to examine carefully Milfcrd Sound, Bligh Sound, Dusky Bay, and the other magnificent, but hitherto little known, inlets or fiords of the south-wes-tern portion of the Middle Island." Sir George Bowen then proceeds to relate that on the 17th February the ship struck on a sunken rock, unnoticed in the Admiralty chart, uear the middle of the channel in the second reach of Bligh Sound. As the ship was making water fast through a leak in her bow, she was immediately put back, and anchored in Bounty Haven, at the' head of Bligh Sound. The pumps kept the water down, and two divers and the carpenter partially stopped the leak. The party was cut off from all communication with the rest of the world. Dr Hector (afterwards Sir James Hector) had, reports the Governor, in 1863 found his way by a rugged and circuitous path from Martin's Bay (nearly 40 miles north of Bligh Sound) to Queenstown, on Lake Wakatipu, and he now volunteered to attempt the same route again, with messages to the Colonial Government and to the officer commanding H.M.S. Virago at Wellington. Dr Hector sailed on the night of the 17th in the Clio's launch, safely crossed the mountains, and the

Stormbird., a small coasting steamer, was sent to the assistance of the Clio. OFFICERS AND PASSENGERS. The Waikarc was under the command of Captain Newton, who had associated with him the following deck officers: —Mr J. G. S. Doorly, first officer; Mr A. J. M. Appleyard, second ; Mr W. Mackenzie, third ; and Mr H. Barber, fourth. Chief engineer, Mr P. J. Hiolcey. The Waikare's passenger list was as follows: From Dunedin —Misses Middleton, Sinclair, Spiers, Chamberlain, Skeats, Mesdames Riddell, Griffiths, G. Todd, A. Todd, Messrs J. W. Mills, Johnstone, Middleton, Bulien, Hamilton, A. M'Leod, Brittain, 0. Eldhard, G. Moodie, Meek (2), Sinclair, T. T. Miller, Sutcliffe, G. Todd, A. Todd, Dr Ben-ham, Dr Roberts, and Masters Roberta (2). From B-alclutha—Miss A. Gow. From Milton—Miss Brunner. From Timaru—Mr and Mrs Corbett, Messrs Gilchrist, R. O'Brien. From Invercargill —Mr and ' Master Moore, Mr J. M'Bain. From Qbristohuroh —Dr and Mrs OrawSihaw, Misses Noble, Oldham, King, Caygill, (3), Morrow, Addanell. Messrs Collins, Overend, Freeman, Stark. From Wellington—Misses Longridge (2), Xiatts. B-rvce, Nash, Martin, Wyatt, Hal}."y (2), Stone, D'&mpsey, and Jacobs, Mrs Ervce, Messrs Matheson, Jacob®. ?iom Napier—Misses Clark (2), Harding (1;. Twi,™«\ Austin.. Mr J. Bowie. From Nelson—Mr W. E. Poole. From Auckland—Miss Allen, Mesdame=, White, Robertson, Messrs Robertson-. C. Downes, M'Cowen, Button, 0. Frind, Hargreavee, Allen, Pirn, Kiddey, Smith. From Melbourne—Misses Hargreaves, Hiill. Hamilton-Moore, M'Lennam, Clarke, Small, Thomas, Burke. Pick, Duckworth (?,), Stauignton, - ; Mesdames Tihornber, Hargreaves. H. Ayers, M'Lennan, Staughton, Meeers W. Harper,, Thomber, Beckingsale, Staughton, Pick, and Masters M'Lemna.n, il). From Sydney—Misses Smith, Watts, Dumbrell, Knight (2), Mrs Brown, Messrs Brown, Walker, Haleombe, Garratt, Teece, Knight Fr>m Singapcrs—Mrs R, Alien. From the United States —Misses Milieu. (2). ' GENERAL. The Waikare is .12 years old, and is valued al about £40,000. No definite information has so far been received, however, as to the extent of the damage she has suffered. It is not expected that her officers and crew will be on board the Pioneer, unless, of course, the mishap in Dusky Sound has been of such a serious nature as to render her a total wreck. The passengers are mostly New Zealand people. Captain Newton, who was in command of the Waikare on the present trip. ha° been to the Sounds before in the capacity cf chief officer, but this was his first excursion as captain. In the previous Sounds excursion this season he made the trip as a passenger, so" that there is reasonable ground to suppose that he was Ihoroughly. familiar with Dusky Sound so tar as it has been charted and surveyed. Although practically unknown (says our „ Bluff correspondent) Stop Island had at one time considerable significance to the early sealers. It was the only island in the Sound free from rats, and therefore it was exclusively used as a provision depot. It is said to have come by its name on the principle of " Stop thief," as applicable to these rodent marauders. A LETTER OF ACKNOWLEDGMENT. TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —As an English visitor to New Zealand, and representing several English passengers on board the ill-fated Waikare, I should like publicly and particularly to \ acknowledge two acts in connection with the loss of this vessel which have touched us and filled us with feelings of gratitude. It was a humane and friendly act on the part of Sir Joseph Ward 'and of Commander Blunt (of H.M.S. Pioneer) to lose not or.o moment in rescuing the shipwrecked passengers from ' Stop Island, 'j'ho affair must not be looked upon as a 1 :cnic; it was a deplorable accident borne caeerfully. and with perfect good humcur by all concerned ; but as a surgeon I can sbate that another 24, or even 12, hours of detention on the island would have had disastrous oonse--.paences for many. It was also a humane and friendly act on the part of the ladies of Bluff to provide hot tea and coffee and sandwiches for the weary, wet and hungry passengers immediately upon their landing. The remembrance of these kindnesses will be some of the many pleasant recollections of your beautiful and interesting country which wo shall carry back with us to England. —I am, etc.. George Buckkton Browne. Grand Hotel, Dunedin, January 7. The Waikare was built in 1897' by W. Denny, "Bros., and Co., of Dumbarton, the builders of a large number of the Union Cbmpany's vessels. She is 3071 tons gross register, and 310 ft long. The Waikare was specially built for the company's intercolonial trade, and was a favourite vessel. About four years ago she was replaced by later and larger vessels, and has since been employed in the paissenger trade between Dunedin, East Coast ports, and 'Auckland. For a number of years past Bhe has been selected to make the annual Sounds excursion. Captain Newton, who was formerly in charge of the Maori, and later of the Manuka, has been in command of the Waikare for some months past. He is one of the oldest and most experienced masters in the company's service. The Union Company has decided to erect a large hotel at Suva as soon as possible. The plans of eight designs have been combined, and Mr Salmond, a Dunedin architect, is preparing the final specifications, and the work of erecting will be proceeded with at an early date. jt is estimated that the building, which is to be of concrete, will take a year to complete.

"I don't hold for a moment that you can test anvbod3 J s capabilities by examination; th° whole thing is humbug!"—Professor Hunter at the Educational lristmte Conference. This remark was heartily applauded.

PERSONAL ITEMS,

Mr C. R. Fenten, of the head office of the' Bank of New Zealand, who has been on six months' extended leave, retires on pension at the end of the year. A Ohristcliurch message states that Mr Cecil Louisson, youngest son of C. Louisson, was married to Miss Ebrenf.ried, only daughter of Mr and Mrs Louis Ehrenfried, of Auckland, on the 4th inst. The function was attended by large numbers.

At the Christ church Telegraph Office on Monday., 3rd inst., Mr R. Williams was presented with a travelling rug by Mr F. C. Hawley, acting officer in charge, on behalf of the officers of the operating staff. MaWilliams, who for the past 15 years has been connected with the Christcbureh office, has been appointed postmaster at Clyde, Central Ota.go.

The death occurred at Wyndham on Friday of Mir J. L. Evans, a well-known Dec. 31 of Mr J. L. Evans, a well-known resident, who was for many years in business as a chemist, and for a long period was clerk to the Wyndiham Town Board. The deceased gentleman was a staunch supporter of the Church oa England, and acted as lay reader with much acceptance both at Wymdham and at Queenstown, where he formerly lived. He leaves a widow and one son.

The Rev. Joseph Blight, formerly of the Waimate and Temuka Methodist circuits, now in charge of the Thames Church, will, under medical advice, retire temporarily from the active work of the ministry at the ensuing conference in Dunedin. Mr Blight has given 21 years to ministerial service. The Rev. Thomas Fee, president of the Mothcdist Conference, has given notice that he will apply for permission to rest from active work during the year 1911. Mr Fee will then have given "33 years to ministerial work, including special activities in the cause of temperance reform. The Southland News reports the death of a well-known former resident of Invercargill, Mrs C. Cratch, wife of Mr Crutch, at one time inspector of permanent ways on the Southland section of railways. The deceased' lady, who arrived in New Zealand over 30 years ago, left Invercargill nine years since on the transfer of Mr Crutch, to Wanganui, where she died after a short illness. .

Archdeacon Aveirill, Bishop-elect of Waiapu, leaves Christdiureh for Hawke's Bay this month, and, pending the arrival from England of asucoesspr for St. Michael's Church, who is expected in about six months, the Rev. C. A. Fraer, at present vicar of Tuahiwi, has been appointed to take charge. . St. Michael's has the largest congregation in connection with the Anglican communion in New Zealand, and ■the position of vicar is a very important and onerous one. The- Rev. G. A. Fraer was the vicar of Waikouaiti and Palmerston, in the diocese of Dunedin, before be proceeded to his present charge. According to the Church News, Bishop. Wilson, of Melanesia, on account of his health, recently sent in his. resignation to the Primate, but because of the unanimous wish both of the English Committee- and the members of the Mission at Norfolk Island, he has withdrawn the resignation and is determined to carry on his arduous work for a while longer. .It is now lf» years since Bishop Wilson was consecrated to the Island diocese, and the tropical climate is apt to tell upon the strongest constitution in that period. Professor Gilruth. late chief veterinarian in New Zealand, was last week elected by the Melbourne University Council a. member .of the" Faculty of Agriculture. A Greymouth message announces the death of Mr Richard Clough, an old settler, who ha-d been clerk of the l course to the Greymouth Jockey Club and the Trotting Club- He was found dead in bed. Mr James Holmes, formerly chairman of the Oamaru Barbour Board, intends to leave his home in the North Island at an earlv date on a visit to the Old Country. The death of Mrs Hutson. wife of the Rev. B. Hutson. minister of the Brooklyn Presbyterian Church (Wellington), took nla.ee on New Year's Day. The deceased lady was a native'of Dunedin. She had been in ill health for some years. Dr H. Hutson,. her only son, is residing in Edinburgh. Mr Andrew Kinro=«. the well-known poet, farmer, and politician, who is an octogenarian, nut up a performance worthv of record on Januarv 3 (says the Southland News) by walking from Invercareill to the Bluff, a distance of 18 miles. Tie arrived a* the port befoire 9 o'clock after a walk of about 4 hours, a performance few of the younger generation would beat.

Another old identity has passed away :n the person of Mr Alexander Callander, of Seroggs Hill, at the age of 71 years. The deceased gentleman, who was born : n Paisley in 1838, came to Otago- with his parents in the ship Philio Laing in 1848. For him is claimed the distinction of driving the first reapev ustd in the Taieri. He was at Gabriel's Gully diggings, and had a team carting, \vith which he did very well. He leaves a widow and grown-up family of six sons and five daughters. A ceremony of reception took place on Wednesday at the Convent of our Lady of Mercy. South Dunedin, when (savs the New Zealand Tablet) Miss Cissv Slowev, M.A., L.A.B. (in religion. Ri.de- M Philip) younsrest daughter of Mr James Slowev, of Westporf, received the white veil from the hands of Bishon Verdon. who was assisted bv Rev. Father Hunt, O.SS.R.. and Rev. Father O'Mallev.

The- New Zealand Times states that Dr J. M. Mason, late Chief Health Officer for New Zealand, has completed his leaal studies in London, and has been called to the Bar. Mr H. R. Seddon. the first New Zealand student to enter the Veterinary Colleee at Melbourne University, ba-s passed his "first-year" examinations, and in addition secured the gold medal presented by the Hon. G. Graham. Minister for Agriculture, for the best first-year student.

Mr W. Anderson, who- has left the service of the Gore branch of the Bank of New Zealand in order to take, up farming pursuits, was presented by the manager, Mr Robe-on. on behalf of the staff, with a handsomely-appointed gentleman's dress-ing-ease, the speaker expressing the best wishes of all for the recipient's success in the future. Mr Anderson suitably replied. On Tuesday, 4th insfc.. Mr Holt, who has been postmaster at Clyde for a number

of years, was entertained by a number of residents prior to his departure for Oamaru, whither he has been transferred. Mr J. E. Spain presided, the vice-chair being occupied by Mr G. Shelton, railway stationrnaster. The Chairman, in a happy and eulogistic speech, recounted the many instances of Mr Holt's obliging disposition in the execution of his duty, and presented him with a Mosgiel travelling rug, a present also accompanying it for Mrs Holt. Several others spoke in similar terms, and Mr Holt feelingly replied.

Mr and Mrs James Loekhart, of Milton, celebrated their golden wedding on the 3rd inst., when they were the recipients of many presents .in gold. Both are halo and hea.rty, and seven sons and three daughters survive out of eleven, the oldest son only being dead, leaving a widow and three children. With this exception, and the absence of two grandchildren, all the family, with their children, were present at the reunion on Monday. Mr J. A. Duthie, Mayor of Milton, presided at the social, and presented the "happy pair" with a purse of sovereigns, and the family and descendants also gave a purse. Air and Mrs Loekhart were married in Dunedin by the Rev. Thomas Burns on January 5, 1860, and with the exception of a few years which Mr Loekhart spent in Dunedin on his arrival by the Strathfieldsaye in 1858, he has since been in business as a saddler in Milton. Mrs Loekhart (nee Isabella Moir) came to Dunedin in the Sevilla in 1859, and a lew weeks later was married. Mr Lockha.rt is a keen bowler, and on the evening succeeding his golden wedding he played in a tournament match on the Milton Green, and won. Fourteen grandchildren were present at the celebration of the golden wedding out of nineteen available. A Melbourne cablegram states that Mr David Mills has been elected chairman of the Australian Steamship Owners' Federation.

Mr William Callander, general manager of the Bank of New Zealand, will leave lor .Lonidoin by the Ruahime on February 10 During , his absence from the Dominion the duties of general manager will be discharged by Mr A. E. Mills, the senior inspector of the bank.

Rev. John Hobbs, vicar of Hasting, and f years ago vicar of the Wyndham-Fcr-trose-Tapanui-Dipton district, is at present on a flying visit to the scenes of his former .labours. He reached Gore on Wednesday afternoon (says the Wyndham Farmer), and in the evening met many old friends at a conversazione arranged in his honour. On ihursday afternoon he arrived at Wyndham, and lost no time in hunting up old and close acquaintances, who were delighted to exchange hand-grins with one they esteemed so "highly. ' In the evening a number of ladies and gentlemen met the rev. gentleman in the Oddfellows' Hall, 1 very pleasant hour being passed. In noting the marriage of Dr W. J. Porteous to Miss Edith Rayner on November 13, our London, correspondent says:— '• The bride returned at a recent date from Canada, where she had been organising a medical mission in connection with the Deaconess House, at Toronto. The bridegroom's ship—the s.s. Devon—having br«>n delayed on its passage Home, he only arrived in London from New Zealand four days before the ceremony. Dr Porteous has been very successful "in at ting funds for the hospital which is to be built in the Punjab, under his direction, in connection with the. Presbyterian Church of New Zealand. , Of this hospital he is to bo the senior medical officer." With the retirement of Mr J. D. Frazer, of the Chief Post Office. Dunedin. owing to the enforcement of the age-limit regulation, there disappears from the service one of the earliest employees of the postal service in the Dominion. Mr Frazer joined the postal service as a cadet in. • Nelson as fallback as. January, 1863. The late Mr Elliott Elliott was then secretary of the department, iihe capital of the l colony being then in Auckland. On the outbreak of the West Coast diggings Mr Frazer was transferred to Westport in 1871. He was then appointed postmaster at Dunedin North in June, 1874, coming overland from Christehurch. The journey in those times occupied three days.. He was appointed chief clerk in Nelson in 1892, and transferred to Dunedin in 1897, where lie has since been continuously employed in the co.paeity of senior registered. letter e'erk. At the C.P.O. on January 3 Mr Frazer was the recipient of a handsome travelling bag and rug from his fellow employees. Mr Harrington (acting C.P.M.), on making the presentation in a neat, speech, referred to Mr Frazer as the '' father of the service." Mr Frazer suitably responded, giving several racy little anecdotes of the early history of the department.

Mr H. D. Bell. K.C.. who has been in Europe for the past nine or 10 months, is expected to return to Wellington, via Sydney, on the 19th inst.

"The Rev. Mr Parata will conduct theservices at St. Augustine's, Waimate. during the absence of the Rev. MackenzieGibson, who is taking the place of Archdeacon Gould at St. Paul's, Ducedin, for ai month. A Palmerston North message states tha.t Mrs R. B. M'Kenzie, daughter of the Hon. John Bryce, an old' and well-known resident of Carnarvon, died in a private hospital on the 9th of appendicitis. A wedding of exceptional interest for Hastings took place in St. Matthew's Church on the 4th inst., when the. Rev. Gordon Biddle united' in matrimony Mr Andrew Lowe, sometime Chinese missionary at Wellington, to Miss Christina Lo Ke'ong. of Wellington, and formerly of Duiifidin. Both parties arc pure Chinese. The British Premier's youngest—or youngest available—son, who goes up to Balliol this term, as befits the son of his father, will have among his contemporaries there F. von Bethmann-Hollweg. and thus the son of' the British Prime Minister and the son oj the- German CVnanceYlov will appear together on the college list of undergraduates. Mr von BethmannHollweg; is a Rhodes scholar of last. year. The munificent founder has opened the way to this interesting; conjunction, and, no doubt, to many more. Another of the old residents of Dunedin passed away recently in the person of Mrs W. H. H. Carey, nee Jane Hardy. Born in Aberdeen, Scotland, she came to Otaffo with her parents in 1860, in the ship Henrietta, when 17 years of asre. Some time later the wia>s married to Mr Carey, a son of one of the very early settler's who came to New Zealand in 1840. Mrs Carey was an active and industrious helpmeet, until ilaid aside by illness. She is survived by her husbandj but leaves no children, her two boys having predeceased he.r. Her rem(ains

wore lakl in their last resting place alongside 'her father and mother in the Southern Cemetery. Among the arrivals in Wellington irom Sydney bv the- Moeraki was Br Schuttrnanh, a German tourist, whose intention it is to "do" New Zealand and 1 the

Islands. Mr George Langlands, a very old settler of Southland, died on. the 4th at the age of 85 years. He purchased a farm at Waianiwa in the early sixties and resided there ever since. Oversea callers at the Dunedin Tourist Office during the past week have been Mr L Hardaker, Bradford, England; Mr and Airs J 15. Donkin and Miss Donkin, New South Wales; and Mr H. Otto Tr.ind, Toronto, Canada. , Towards the end of the late session the health of Mr Baume, M.P., caused a good deal of anxiety to his friends, and he had to leave Wellington a few days before die prorogation. Pie has decided to go to England, and on to Germany, with Mrs Baume, for the sake- of his health. They leave Auckland in February. Mr Thomas Reid, who Was kicked by a horse in an Oamaru saleyard on Saturday afternoon, died on Sunday morning at a private hospital. Mr Reid was a well-known farmer in the district, and retired only three years ago. Ho was born in Clackmannan in 1839,° ana came to New Zealand in 1859 in the ship Bruce. Ho was amongst the few surviving originators of the Agricultural Society, and was eventually made a life member in recognition of the good work he had done Mr Reid was a prominent breeder of Border Leicesters, and was appointed by the Sheepbreeders' Association to the committee to classify the different flocks. „______—»