THE RANGITIKEI, FBOM LONDON.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 3944, 8 December 1880, Page 2

THE RANGITIKEI, FBOM LONDON.

'iho New __-3«land Shipping Company's ship liniißitikei arrived from tendon yestorday, after s_ pasflw-eof .101 days. The length of the passage ia attributable to The almost entire absence of fair winda, the weathor boing. however, remarkably fino throughout. Tbo B .ngitikel brings 17 cabin and 47 steerage passenger* all told, a very largo nnmbor being- children. All have an-ired in excellent health, whioh has heen enjoyed throughout tho passage. Advantage waa taken of the very flno weat her to indulge in ail fcind« of am ussraentß, and everything went merrily on board, passing tho time away yery pleasantly. Concerts of varionsßorts were organised, and dramatic ettartainments piven, in addition to whioh a newspipor cireaJated throngh tho ship at short interval-., no thai all Fer»ed to keep the passengers in thi beßt of spirits, and varied the monotony of the poseagoia no small degree. The liassQngerß all seom to havo boen remarkably comfortable. and thoir appreciation of the courtesy and attention Bhown them by Captain Milman and Mr Caniso (late of tho Waimate} the chief officer, showed itsolf in the testimonials presented to each of those gentlemon. Tho chiof steward also, Mr Batcher, was v. ry popular among them, and contributed largely to the general ßucce3B that attended the passage Uno very oldoolonist returns to New Zealand by tha ship, viz., Dr William Donald. The Bangitikei ha* aome ohoice Leicester rams, and one thoroughbred mire aboard, and they all arrive in excellent condition: No acei. dentß happened, during the passage, and the only circumstance of nota was the birth of a daughter to Mrs Murray, on Saturday last ab midnight. The Eaugititei oamo into port in capital order on deck end aloft, doing Mr Caniae much credit. She wav berthed at tho Gladstone pier this mornin?. 'ilis following ia the report of the passage, kindly furnished by Captain Milman : — Loft Gravesend at 7 a.m. on Auguat 23, and was off Beaohy Head <_t midnight, meeting with easterly winda as far as Plymouth, August 30. Took departure from tho Li_ «rd ou Aueuat 31 with south- weßt winds and fo?, and carried same winds to off Madeira on Sept. 15, wh9n the north-east trades were mot with. They were moderate, and gave out in lodog north, when tho uaual south-west winds were experienced. Crossed the Equator at midnight ou Oot. i. 31 daya from the Lizard. The south-east trades were very southerly, and were met with in 3ftog north ; their strength was but moderate, and ia 22deg south they left the ship. Passed closo to Tristan d'Acunha nu Oot. 23, and the merit_____ of the Cape, Nov. 1. Very unfavourable winds wore met with running dowu the easting, the slip being on a bowline nearly the whole of the way from the Cape to the Leuwiu, wliich was passed on Nov. 25, when westerly winds were met with. Th» Hnares were passed on Dao. 4, and -was to southward of the Traps at noon next doy, when the wind chitted to the westward in a thunder squall, followed iy a hard W.B. W. gale. Made the Peuiaaula st 4 p.m. on Doc. 6, diatant 40 miles, and had northerly and N.E. weather to arrival, at 4 p.m. yesterday.