THE "TUHUA" EXCURSION TRIP.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume XXIX, Issue 11127, 12 February 1886, Page 2

THE "TUHUA" EXCURSION TRIP.

The long»anticipated trial excursion trip of the p.s. Tuhua took place yester* day, and -was pronounoed by the large company who were on board a-com-plete success. Glorious weather, beau* tiful scenery, choioe company, an ample and well set out table, and a toat that obeyed directions admirably, all combined to fill up the cup of enjoyment to the brim, the result being that many who, in the spirit of the anoient prophet, went to curse, remained find returned to bless. Altogether there were about 80 passengerß on board, including a number of the prinoipal Bettlerß, and most of the leading business men of the place. The ! directors are deserving of every. credit for ths perfection of their' arrangements for the reception and com* fort of their guests. The catering, in the hands of the recently appointed steward, Mr C. Smith, was all that could be desired, and must have removed any lingering suspicions as to the provision that will he made for the Tuhua's passengers to the interior in the future. The steamer cast off from the town wharf at 8 30 a.m. precisely, amid the eucouraging comments of a large assembly of onlookers, and decked with flags from stem to stern, started gaily up the river, the pleasure of the morning breezes being heightened by the inspiriting strains of Mr E. J. King's efficient little band. Aramoho was ' reached about 9 o'clock, and the manager of one of our local banking institutions taken ou board. The detention oooupied about five minutes, after .which the steamer proceeded to Kennedy's, arriving at 9.30. Here some 25 minutes were spent in taking in cargo (grass seed) for a settler at Kanini. The Kaiwhaike quarries were reached at 11 o'clock, and on rounding the point half a mile fur* th«r on Major Lockett and another gentleman, and ,a son of the major's, were taken on board. A very aooeptable addition to the steamer's supplies was { here received, in the shape of a bucket of new milk, very thoughtfully contributed by Mrs Lockett. Baorikia was passed at 11.30, Kanini at 19.30 (10 minutes delay being caused here by dis* charging cargo), Tupapa at 1.10, and Parakino being reached at 1.18. At every native settlement passed on the River the Maoris were seen posted on the banks, according the steamer and its occupants a hearty welcome. The interest of everybody an board of course centred in the passage, of the rapids, and man; confidently predicted that the Tuhua would never negotiate the rapid neai Paarkino, which we have heard de> soribed as the worst between town and Pipiriki. The much -maligned little steamer, however, silenced the tongues of her detractors by gliding over the swif t and turbulent waters with perfeot ease, maintaining through the rapid a speed of three miles an hour. During the upward trip from town until Parakino was reached an average of from 80 to 851bs of steam was kept up.- Al Parakino, an hour or so was spent on shore, some of the travellers availing themselves of the chief's proffered hospitality, and others enjoying a d J p in the river. The interval was ocoupiec by the vessel's hands in taking in cargo, in the shapa of some bales of wool, anc the return trip was commenced at 2 40 On the way down everybody was ir capital spirits, and expressed themselvei in terms of the highest praise anc satisfaction at the way in which thi little vessel had behaved, and the cap tain and officers of the steamer, and directors and agent of the company, all came in for hearty congratulations, The spirit of sociability and conviviality developing together, the leading citj magnates took up a position under th« awning, and his Worship the Maybi opened the proceedings by making t few appropriate and complimentary remarks with regard to the very pluck] manner in which the directors had pro posed the trip, and the successful waj in which it had been carried out. A great many had been seriously trouble: as to whether the boat would reach hei intended destination, but all were agree' ably surprised at the result, and wishing the company every success in the future, he would call upon the energetic managing director to respond. — Mr Willil said, in responding to. the remarks of the Mayor, that he could safely say th« Tuhua had been more trouble to bin than his own business. He was howevei very p oud to see the way in which tht steamer had acted that day, and he had no doubt whatever that she would be able to get up to Pipiriki. He felt con> vinced that their enterprise would be ' the means of bringing numerous visiton to the country, and when, the Govern* rnent had completed the road to Pipiriki he was sure another boat would be placed on the river. One thing was certain, a large lot of land would be opened . up. Having been made managing director of the oompany, he had now one object in view, and that was, in conjunction with Mr Filmer, to make the boat pay, and they mighi upon it -that he would use hie best endeavours :fe) make her do so.*— Mi James Laird said he wished to propose the health of Mr Filmer, the company's agent. He had known that gentleman under different circumstances, as a farmer, an agent, and so forth, and he had seen in that morning's paper an announcement that, Mr Filmer had been appointed agent for the company. He was very proul of the fact, as he was sure the company had placed their interests in the hands of a thoroughly reliable and energetic man. The toast having been received with applause, Mr Filmer said the commencement of the steamer's work would date from that day. The company would meet again in June, and he had every con*fidence that by that time he would be able to show a good balance sheet. He noticed among the gentlemen present a number of nonsshareholders, but he thought from what they had seen that day they would soon evince their appreciation by becoming financially in<terested in the company. The captain, the engineer, and several .others havingbeen duly toasted , the company proceeded to harmony, and between singing and dancing and general good fellowship a capital time was spent during the afternoon. Among those present were Mr McGregor, of Caledonian fama, who | obliged the company with some of his choicest steps, whilo.Mr Neary favoured them with the sword dance. During the afternoon Mr Spurdle called ou Mr Pollard to let them know something about the Home touriats, who it' was said were likely to patronise the boat. Mr Pollard said that when the boat was , first started, he had opnued up correspondence with Messrs Cook and Son, and as soon as the Tuhua was able to go up to Pipiriki he intended taking a trip up in her himself, and writing Horns a full report of ic. He intended doing u!< he oould to forward the interests of tho company. As the vessel was nearing the end of her journey votes of thanks were accorded to all anil sundry who had contributed to render tbB exouvsion suoh a complete s\Jcoe3s in ©very respeofc. The town wharf was reached at 6.20 p.m. and the crowd dispersed, express* ing themselves highly pleased with their day's outing. We understand that the Tuhua has already been engaged for several private excursions, ivnd we may assure intending passengers, from the experience of yesterday, that she is a very comfortable boat to travel in, not

the slightest vibration being felt in her As show Sag 'the confidence begotten of yesterday V -trip, we hear that some of the shareholders have already applied for an increases of shares, while a natij« of Parakino' has arranged to see _fr" Filmer to-day with the view of pur* chasing shares for his people at that place.