THE CONTINCENT.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5860, 30 April 1897, Page 2

THE CONTINCENT.

DEPARTURE OF THE RUAHINE. Shortly after two o'clock this morning the New Zealand Shipping Company's R.M.S.S. Ruahine, whose departure had been put off from the previous afternoon owing to insufficiency of water in the outer harbour, cast off from the wharf and steamed into the bay. Only a few passengers were on deck, the Contingent being represented by a solitary "Native who paraded the forward deck in an animated fashion, the excitement of the moment having evidently disturbed his night's rest. Just prior to her departure a representative of this journal took a hurried glance at the quarters of the contingent, and found the men sleeping soundly. There were very few people on the wharf. The steamer anchored in the harbour abreast of Camp Bay, and at about 10.30 a.m. weighed anchpr and steamed away towards Rio de Janeiro. The launch had. K gone on with Mr Gifford, of the New Zealand Shipping Company, who, upon finding everything in order, formally despatched tho ship. As the launch steamed away the members of the contingent and others mounted the fore rierging and the : rail and cheered." The sea was calm and save for the unfortunate delay at the wharf, the voyage has been started under favourable auspices. A misapprehension has arisen in regard to the dietary arrangements for the contingent and the Bisley team. The members of each party are on absolutely the same terms in respect to diet. It was hoped at one time that the public would have supported the proposal to send the riflemen to such an extent as to enable the promoters to arrange for the members of the team taking their meals in the second saloon. This, however,, did not eventuate, and the promoters had either to accept the catering arrangements as provided for the steerage passengers or abandon the project. However, the New Zealand Shipping Company has established a name for the good treatment or its passengers of all classes, and there is every reason to expect that tho men will be thoroughly satisfied.