District News.

Southern Cross, Volume 8, Issue 31, 17 November 1900, Page 10

District News.

BLUFF. I see by your columns that ‘ Denis * and ‘ Katie ’ paid a visit to the Bluff lately. They did not condescend to call upon your own, though it would have given me great pleasure to have met them, and opened a bottle of ‘ special.’ I am sure that after sampling my particular brand of ‘ ozone,’ Denis and 1 would have been firm friends —as long as it lasted. Shipping has been very busy here lately, one vessel, the Longships, which left on Sunday week for South Africa, taking the largest cargo of oats that have ever been shipped from here on one bottom, viz., 118,000 bags of 801 bs weight each, which is a new departure, I suppose for convenience of transport. The main topic at present is the approaching banquet to the Hon. J. Gr. Ward. He was to have been here on Friday, 9th inst., but through unforeseen circumstances, he had to return to Wellington, and will not arrive here until 17th. An energetic committee is working well and willingly to do honor to our esteemed representative, and there is every indication of the banquet being a thorough success. It is also intended to have the official opening of the public buildings, recently erected, upon the hon. gentleman’s arrival. The summer boarder is with us again, I hear that all available accommodation for the holiday months has been taken up, therefore late-comers will hive to take potluck. The popularity of the Bluff as a seaside resort is increasing every year, and deservedly so. There is every facility for enjoying oneself, and as there is a most convenient train service with Invercargill, no one will neglect their business by spending a month or two here. The new tug ‘ Theresa Ward ’ arrived in port on Hov. 7. As was to be expected, quite a number of townspeople assembled on the wharf to have a first glimpse of her. She is a handsome little vessel, powerful and fast, with every modern convenience procurable, and she is also fitted up with all salvage appliances, an acquisition not possessed by any other tug in Hew Zealand. The Harbour Board, together with Capt. MacDonald, are to be complimented upon the splendid vessel now in their possession. Tourists to Stewart Island can now rely upon a pleasant run across the Straits, as the Theresa Ward is a decided improvement upon the old Awarua.