THE TARAWERA'S EXCURSION TO THE SOUNDS.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XIX, Issue 22, 27 February 1891, Page 7

THE TARAWERA'S EXCURSION TO THE SOU NDS.

(Otago Daily limes.') The b.B. Tarawera arrived at Port Chalmers at day-light Thnreday morning from the third and last excursion this season to the West Coast Sounds. The weather haa been all that could be desired, the only rain bjing half a day ii Preservation Inlet, and one day at Milford : but as the steamer remained three days at the latter sound the scenery dariDg the heavy raia was ample compensation for any little discomfort experienced. A party of six made the trip to the Sutherland Fall, while a like number left at Milford for the overland route, via Te Anau. Oa the return voyage, Arctibishop Carr, of Melbourne, in proposinu the health of Captain Sinclair and his officers, said that tbe passengers were now approaching the close of the most pleasant j Mirney they had made during their lives. Their excursion had bean tavourel by fine weithor, by plesant companionships, by as exqu'site scenery as this world enn show, but, above all, by the skill, intelligence, urbanity, and eeis'il^s attention of ihe captain and officjra of the ship, without whi3h bo h social intercourse and scenic beauty would Lave been deprived ot hnlf their charms. For his part — and he was privileged to ppeak in thaname of the passengers in general — he believed that nothing was Iff t und )n i by th ■ captain and officers to make the excursion as peasant, os prosperous, nnd as happy as an excursion oou d be made. More attention could not be paid in a private family to th" wa-its and comf >rts of the membeis than had been paid during the < xcursio-i to the requirements and amusement ot the passengers. He felt convinced t >at the more these excursions became known, the more widely would th j y becoma appreciated and patronised. Those who dwelt in the hazy town and crowded city would be glad, without losing the comforts of home, to come aud commune witn nature in all her solitary grandeur. Those who needed re«t from toil, and variety after mouotonoua occupation, and renewed strength after enfeebling labour, would gladly seiza the opportunity of recreating mind and body amidst scenes of romantic benuty, ani of sublime magnificence, such as New Zealand alone placed within their easy reach. Life was oflea compared to a voyage fr im port to port. If the lives of the paseeugers were made up of such pleasant voyages as that which was now coming to a close ttiey would be happy indeed, But even if they could not look forward to such umnreiTup'ed happiness as that , they were still grateful for the serene happiness the excursion had given < hem. They were grateful to the captain and officers of the good ship Tarawera. They wished thecn prusp Q rous voyages in the luture. They wished them health, long life, and a contuuance of that pleasure which comes from the consciousness of duty faithfully done, and from the charities cf life gracefully and pleasantly administered.