A VISIT THROUGH THE O.S. AUSTRAL.

Waikato Times, Volume XX, Issue 1674, 29 March 1883, Page 4

A VISIT THROUGH THE O.S. AUSTRAL.

A report of^tne 1 Sydney' .Wnikg 1 Herald, describing a tour made by him through the AUstrat after the raising* of that vtfns?l,<Bh.y<r:- u -'< Clothed fcom i ne"ok to heels in one of those, useful /engineer's suits as a protection against dirt and slush,. I rend mpiacimf .myself unreservedly, in the-Hanfls of alcmiftdous officer of tho ship, wo firat descended into the music saloon or drawing-room. The walls of this spacious apartment were formerly, of enamel and gold, the dome and windows filled with opaque glass, ornamented with graceful scrollwork, the furniture cushioned with pale blue velvet, the floors coverefl with thick Indian carpets, and the windows curtained with ..fabrics of white silk and gold thread 1 . Now the walls 1 arc black and stained, the windows broken, the etfrtains' torn down, and the velvet coverift^ iiiid costly carpets rbttedi to' pulp. Passing down the massive staircase in the principal or dining saloon, which' 1 was built to accommodate 120 dinei*s, >the same, destruction was witnessed on a larger scale. Formerly, the ceiling of this magnificent apartment was decorated in 'white and gold, the ends richly panelled in walnut, and ornamented with the carved and emblazoned coats of arms of European nations and British colouies, the revolving chairs cushioned ' with 1 ' ruby velvet,' ' and (the saloon lighted by painted glass panels on eacli side. Now, the decorations are obliterated, the velvet completely rotted and stripped off the chriirs, the coats of arms partly destroyed, the windows smashed, and the handsome veneering of the dnd panels so saturated with water that 1 "it strips off like paper. ' In the state rooms, which •» ere better fitted np thari'.those of arty other steamship in the Australian ' trade, the same process of destruction of everything not plain and solid was evinced, books, wardrobes, settees, ipring mattresses, electric lamps, &c, all being hopelessly ruined. In passing through the second-class saloon and-dabins, the intermediate cabins and the 'firemen's quarters, ample indications of the force' of the inrush of water was to be seen. These apartments arc situated in the after part of the ship where the water first poured in as the vessel commenced to sink stern first. An appalling volume of water must have surged over the deck and down the stairways, aijd through the cabins, for the doors have been torn off their hinges, the walls smashed in, and timber, furniture, and bedding huddled together in a confuse.l mass. Most of the cabins which have thus suffered were occupied, and it is easy to sec that a few minutes' delay ju getting out and tip on rteclv would have meant certain death to the occupants; The general supposition that the magnificent machinery would be destroyed is fortunately not borne 'out by actual examination. Much of the machinery, iuajr r bc-somewh.it injured ; but, so far as ppssible to judge, it will only be necessary to give it a thorough cleansing and overhauling, and take sonic portions of it to pieces. It is almost impossible to convey to the mind of the ruadcr an adequate idea of the scene of rfesfctuefcion which may be witnessed by .1 tour through the ship in her present condition, just after the water has been pumped out of her. Above all, it is impossible to give the reader any idea of the" terrible stench which the curious spectator has to encounter in passing through some of the lower portions of the ship. Below the main deck, which is now quite clean, everything is in a state o! filth and muddle, the water having only just been pumped out. The passages ami cabin floors are covered with an inch or two of black slimy mud ; tho walls and ceilings are blackened, saturated with salt waiter, /and covered with a peculiar kind of marine growth ; the hanging curtains change into pulp at tho slightest pull ; scattered around on every hand are wet and rotten cushions and articles of bedding and ' clothing, while from below comes •up a sickening stench from the long pent-up bilge water. But the worst experience of all was goinjj through the storerooms with the decayed and stinky ing supplies of fiour, hams, pork, tea, breads &c, which have been soaking therte for four months. On Tuesday some men were sent into this storeroom to clear some of the provisions, but the atench was so overpowering that two or three of the men suffered from fits, of vomiting. There will, however, be very little delay in removing tho causes of this sickening atmosphere. A very large body of men are also engaged tlioiougliiy cleaning all the filth out of eveiy part of fche.sbip that has Wun left fvco of w a,tev, and by the time stie is ready for docking «U* will be quite ready for inspection. ThoM in charge of the Austral, however, have no wish to have work interfered with by crowds of visitors ; but it is possible that when the ship is in dock the public may be afforded a couple of visiting days, and the pioceeds devoted to charitable purposes.

Jinn Majesty has heen appealing against the taxes made on two of her estates, and Las saved a sum of £ 150, a hum of no mean consequence to one whoso income ia so slender and limited. A Suspicious Chatuotek.— A prominent Austin politician woke up his coloured man a few nights ago and told him to search the house, as he was sure there was a burglar on the premises. Tli* darkey hunted the house all over, and reported as follows :~" Colonel, I hafc hunted from top to bottom, and ef tlar is eny •jcpishons character 'ceptin' you in de House, I can't find him." TllK NuvSI'AAKR AND HOWTO Usi; TT.~ A <:OOD newspaper is a money saver. If you want to sell or buy anything you may see the current price in a newspaper, and you will also see what you want advertised. You don't have to take hearsay, and thus buffer fioui mistake* and delays ; you just turn to your paper, and know all you wish to find out. Ydil will often save the subscription icost df paper by one single order for $Jo6ds. You will often find good chances advertised that cannot be found in any other way. Journalism requires more self-sacrifice, indefatigable labour, .endurance, patience, and nicer discrimination than any other profession. No class of men furnish go cheaply the indispensable intelligence, wisdom, and Virtue, for the support of a Government and welfare of the people, as the wellt'raincd, efficient journalist. Every good citizen should take a good paper ; he pW'es itto his country, his family, and fiis own self respect and interest. The J6cal newspaper adds to the general iVcaJth aud prosperity of the place, aa we'l as 1 , increases the reputation of the town. ' It benefits all who have business, it ; enhances the value of property, and it beiiehVyou in every way. It increases your, Wade, it cautions against imposition"; it saves you from loss ; it warns you of danger ; it points out different advantages,' and .Increases your profits. If you want such a paper you must not consider it an act of charity to support it, but a« a means to increase, your .own wealth as well as that of the place in which you lire. Childken- Rushed bv a Cow.— A very serious accident occurred to a little boy. MflofMrff Jjohn Oorbett, of the 'Ashburton Fovks; ; on Wednesday afternoon. The AiJtlnir/on Gitfa'dian states that a ittad"inHhe employ of Mr Co'rsbie'was driving 1 "two cows on the' road lfear^Mr K'Co'rtiett's farm and upon meeting -the )»X» "w"' 0 ' V¥ witu> several other 'children; bW J oi' thfc'cows' rushed the little' felloSv, reindv"juJMhe 'skin from the "frdtitaT > bone afctf p-drt'6f;the node. The b'flier children 'Mftte'Jbh'ttwrn down amt rtiufeh' 1 bruised. •The ''iwistaiie'e of Di v ' RosS'havinfr been ] MgdWpl-ocured; the 'injuVed'boyV'iwho B6rt' hw siOjtoribgs ' 'retfarKalbly. 1 - hart- thfe Jug favourably, fihp driving v of twild <jattte' along 1 the 'puMitf' Highway is a t nrWfcftef /?py? 'our 'pontem^ry) _ which | *bl?W»d*'b'p*olei:tvted', ov aceideote pfi tfcheiind • Wtev iidtWe 'tottyti&'lilQwHK'l iiuflftt, , '- .'' \ ' '*<■/"-■