A TRIP ROUND THE SOUNDS.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume VII, Issue 11, 14 March 1891, Page 12

A TRIP ROUND THE SOUNDS.

< > much interest has been taken in the exwl( Ziw vL cursions made by the s.s. Tarawera round dkjgTTJh X_ ' the West Coast Sounds, that a few ex’ tracts from a lady’s letter on the subject will probably be gladly perused by our ll readers : — It would be worse than vain to attempt a description in the short space here allotted. No pen could depict or brush paint one-third of the marvellous loveliness from which we have returned. Nothing has been written yet that gives one any realistic idea, and indeed our ten days’ sojourn into fairyland has left but the desire for more. It was lovelier than any dream of enchanted regions, and no one who has been can tell half the story either by brush, camera, or ]>en. Nothing but the eye can embrace half the mystery of changing cloud and mystic light, the awful grandeur, the solemn majesty, the brilliance, the ever-changing kaleidoscope of colour. It must be seen, and tourists on hoard, who had tired of Switzerland, said that if one third of the loveliness of the West Coasts Sounds was known at home hundreds of tourists would Hock each year. It is marvellous, and were one quite alone, the intense loveliness would compensate ; but these trips, as they are organised and carried through by the Union Company, are worth ten years off a life to participate in. The Tarawera was a floating palace, and by the time the first Sound was reached, peopled with a family that might all have been princes and princesses, so happy were they. Friendships were formed that the years would never destroy again, and delightful days and nights were passed that could never be forgotten. There was not a pause for dulness. Out on the deck in the early morning we were enraptured with what we saw, gliding, as we seemed to be, over a sea of glass into an enchanted region where mountains opened their arms to receive us and shut us in — vast, magnificent, and mighty, forest-clad and snow-crowned, while wonderful waterfalls thundered down their sides, and were lost in the sea. Amid such marvels that it is impossible to describe, the steamer would anchorwhole days and nights, while the boats and steam launch would take us out and penetrate into nooks and corners among those deeply-wooded hills, the beauty of which would have been a feast for years, and with hampers packed with good things, day after day we were landed to wander through intermidable forests, green and scent-laden, where the silent birds, unaffrighted, gazed curiously at us,and did not fly away, to lakes nestling among the mountains and waterfalls miles away. Then a happy, hungry party would return to the shore, and enjoy the delicious tea and good things provided. Every night there was a dance or entertainment. It was a strange sight, the

lighted ship at the foot of the mountains, and the merry, gaily-dressed crowd aboard. The ballroom was on the deck shut in with canvas, and gaily decorated with ferns and flags. Mr Jesse Timson was the musical director, and took charge of the musical part of the programmes, which were excellent. Mr Young made a proficient stage manager, and deserves great credit for the way in which he got up the tableaux, etc. Messrs Young, Jago, Umbers and Packer formed a quartette party, each of these gentlemen being among our musical favourites, so that with the assistance of some of the passengers we enjoyed musical treats. The first concert was given at Cuttie Cove, and a pretty sight the gailydressed crowd made in the carpeted cosy little theatre. The programme was as follows :— Overture. Tarawera Orchestra; song. ‘A Hundred Fathoms Deep ’ (Hatton). Mr W. F. Young ; song. ‘ Remember me no More ’ (Robinson). Mr A. F. Anthony ; song, * Will o’ the Wisp’ (Cherry), Mr J. Jago; cornet solo, ‘ The Lost Chord ’ (Sullivan),Mr T.Connel; song, ’ The Little Hero’ (Adams), Mr C. H. Humphries; song, ‘ His Lordship winked at the Counsel' (Conroy), Mr E. Packer; song. 'Maid of Athens’ (Christabel). Mr C. Umbers; recitation, ‘Tragedy of Agnes ’ (Longfellow), Mr W. F. Young; song, 'The Gauntlet ’ (Stark), Mr A. F. Anthony: song, ‘The Village Blacksmith' (Weiss), Mr J. Jago ; song, ‘Tell me Mary how to woo thee ' (Hodson), Mr E. Packer; song, 'An Awful Little Scrub’(Grossmith) Mr C. 11. Humphries: song, 'Old and New' (Bonheur), Mr C. U mbers. The next evening there was a dance, and early the following morning we proceeded to Dusky Sound, and anchored at Wet Jacket Arm after a glorious afternoon of picnicking. There was another entertainment in the evening, given to a most enthusiastic house. This was a passengers’ concert, and was remarkably good. How the people did applaud I It set an example to many a cold audience ashore. Arch-

bishop Carr, of Melbourne, was in the chair, and the following ladies and gentlemen assisted : —

Duet (violin and piano), ‘Les Cloches de Corueville,’ Messrs G. Morris and J. Timson; song. ‘Father O’Flinn.’ Mr R. Timson song, * Margarita,’ Miss J. Tuson: tableau. ‘ Where are You Going to. My Pretty Maid f old version. Miss Newell and Mr R. Timson ; new version. Miss Moses and Mr C. Umbers ; recitation. ‘Vat You Please,’Mr Charles Morris; song, ‘The Frenchman,’ Mr Jones; tableau, ‘England, Scotland, Ireland,’ Mrs Furleur, Miss Dodds, Mrs Baker; song, * Waiting,’ Mr Jago; violin solo, ‘Caprice,’ Mr G. Morris; song, ‘At My Window,’ Miss Tuson; tableau, ‘Pears’ Soap,’ Messrs Young and Jones; song, ‘After Sundown,’Miss Wallace; song, ‘l’m Waiting for Him To-night,’ Mr W. F. Young.

At the end of the week we reached George Sound, and here we lemained all day, and spent a most exciting day, too. The Regatta was held in the morning, England wearing white and blue, Victoria blue, and New Zealand red. Everyone donned their colours, and displayed the greatest interest, which grew and grew until the ladies’ race was pulled. England won the gentlemen’s race, and New Zealand the ladies’ race. The ladies all wore blue serge dresses, white blouses, and gentlemen’s ties of their several colours. This effective costume was completed with sailor hats. Ringing cheers greeted the winning ere # as they returned to the ship. The boats were manned as follows :— LADIES’ RACE. Winning Crew.—Miss Rowlands, Wellington; Miss Ormond, Napier; Miss Thompson, Invercargill; Miss Brodrick. Invercargill ; Mr H. J. Williams, cox. Second Crew.—Miss Clelland, Mrs Craige, Mrs Corben, Miss Newell; Mr T. Roberts, cox. Third Crew.—Miss Inson, Miss Moses, Mrs Howie, Miss E. Inson ; Mr T. Braidwood, cox.

In the evening the greatest social event of the week came off — the Regatta B-dl — and among those who looked specially nice were Miss Brodick (Invercargill), Miss K. Clelland (Belfast), Mrs J. H. Coleman (Napier), Mrs J. W. Craig (Melbourne), Mrs J. Crozier (Melbourne), Miss J. Dodds (Melbourne), Mrs J. D. Law (Melbourne), Mrs H. Furber (London), Mrs A. H. Miles (Wellington), Mrs T. D. McCarthy (Melbourne), Mrs J. W. McGee (Melbourne),. Miss Rowlands (Wellington), Mrs Whitson, sen. (Dunedin), Miss N- Thompson (Invercargill), Miss Wallace (Melbourne),. Miss W. Wallace (Dumblane, Scotland), Miss Newell (Melbourne), Miss A. Ormond (Napier),Miss F. Ormond (Napier), Miss E. Campbell (Dumblane, Scotland).

Quartett, ‘ Thuringian Volkslied,’ Messrs Packer, Umbers, Jago, and Young ; song, ‘ Love’s Proving,’ Mrs Furber; tableau, ‘The Princes in the Tower,’ Miss Newell, Messrs Newton and Jago song, ‘The Englishman,’ Mr Umbers; recitation, ‘ Shamus. O Brien,’ Mr R. Timson ; tableau, ‘The Sleeping Beauty,’ Miss E. Tuson. Mrs Baker, Misses Newell and L. Moses, Mr W. S. Henderson; distribution of Regatta prizes by Mrs Newell; song, ‘The Silent March,’Mr Jago; quartett,‘The Rhine;’ song,‘The Old Wherry.’Miss F. Tuson; recitation, Mr Morrison; song,* Queen of the Earth,’ Mr Taylor; song, ‘ There is a Flower that Bloometh,’ Mr Packer; tableau, ‘The Gipsies’ Encampment’ (introducing the gipsy trio), Misses Ormond, J. and E. Tuson, Messrs Umbers,. Jago, Young, Williams, and Braidwood; chairman, D. C. Armstrong, Esq.

At the close of the concert Mr Armstrong passed a vote of thanks to Mr Young for the heartiness with which he had worked, saying truthfully that it was greatly owing to the spirit with which he had carried out the arrangements that is, the entertainments had been such a success. This was received with cheers, testifiying to the fact that the excuisionists wtre of the same opinion. It was with the greatest regret that we ‘ steered for home,’ lingering lovingly through every hour. A cricket match at the Bluff was tie last diversion.

I must not forget to mention a delightful littleafternoon tea given by Mr Humphries, the purser, to the New Zealand ladies, who wore their red ribbon proudly. While enjoying ourselves in the pretty little cabin where our host treated us so well,, we were shown the prize brooches, which were in the form of silver life-belt? and two oars marked Tarawera and the date. Before passing on I must speak of the kindness of Mrs Murphy and Mrs Downs, the stewardesses. Their kindness and patience was limitless, acting as robing-maids on the nights of the tableaux, and doing all sorts of things for our comfort. The noted artist from Melbourne, Mr James Peeie, was oil board, and as fast as he could paint his beautiful pictures they were sold. The Exhibition familiaiised many with these gems, so delicate in their tints that the beauty of the spots selected for transference tocanvas live there in a very real loveliness. The English and Melbourne tourists were loud in demand for them. Mr Perritt,. from Invercargill, was also among the artists,, doing good business, while Mr Coxhead (photographer) was everywhere with his camera,and has taken some very large and lovely views, which are precious momentoes of fairyland. The illustrations show the entrance to Milford Sound, Mount Kimberley, and one of the many beautiful waterfalls which abound in this favoured region, Stirling Falls, Milford Sound, which descend in an unbroken stream a distance of 400 feet.

Owner of Fish Pond (to one who is trespassing) : ‘ Don’t you see that sign, “No Fishing Here’ Angler (with an. injured air) : * Yes, and I dispute it. Why, there’s good fishing here. Look at this stringful. The man who put that board up must have been mad.’

‘ Did you tell the shopman that the fish he sent yesterday was bad’’ ‘Yes, mum.’ ‘And what did he say?’’ ‘ He said it was from the same lot you chose from last week,, and you never complained then, mum.’