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SHIP MEROPE, FROM LONDON.
This fine dipper vessel, commanded by Captain Williams, with the British astronomical expedition for observing the transit of Venus, a large number of saloon passengers, and 331 Government immigrants, arrived in harbour yesterday. After working up the harbour the wind failed, and the tide being strong ebb the anchor was let go and the vestal brought up off Camp Bay at 9 a..n. The Health Officer, Dr Donald, amd Dr Bouse, Commissioner, proceeded down to the ship, and, there having been no sickness on board, the vessel was at once cleared. The s.s. Gazelle shortly afterwards started with a large party, and, later in the day, his Honor the Superintendent. Mr T. W. Maude, and Mr March visited the ship. This is the fourth voyage that the Merope has made to Canterbury, and the second in which Captain Williams has hod charge of her. A full description of her has previously bean published, and it is therefore unnecessary to say more tban that her former good qualities are unimpaired. An inspection was made throughout the vessel, and the whole of the compartments were found to be scrupulously clean. The voyage (78 days) has been what may be termed a fine weather one, but it was not until after the S.E. trades had been lost that any good work was made. Dr K. F. Andrews is the surgeon-superintendent, avd Mrs Millard is matron of the sbip. The immigrants appear a very healthy lot of people, and will no doubt make good color sts. The single girls are mostly domestic servants. During the voyage no serious cases of sickness occurred two deatts (of infants) and six births took place during' tae voyage. The immigrants speak in the highest terms of the kindness they have received during the voyage from the captain, surgeon-supeilutendent, ani officers, to whom testimonials were presented at the close of the v«yage. The following is Captain Wi'L'ams" report Lei Gravesend on June 21, and proceeded to Plymout i, and embarked immigrants on June 26 got to sea on the 27th, and discharged pilot; experienced light westerly :winds and fine weather until July t, when the N.E. trades were caught in 42de~ 13min N. they were very- light, and were lost on July 13 thence had light variable winds to the Equator, which was crossed on July 28 light vaiiable winds prevailed until August 3, when the S.E. trades wer3 caught in 6deg 8., and were lost in 26de- 8. thence had to beat down to the latitude of Rfo JAneiro, when better weather was experienced, the ship averaging' for 30 days 250 ir'les perc'ay the best day's run made was on August 27, the run on that day being 315 miles Crozetts and Possession Islands were sighted on August 28. On August 29 a strong N.N.B. gale was experienced, and continued until August 31. On August 30 a heavy st j. struck the vessel, carrying away a portion of the main bulwnrds. On September 4 passed through a quantity of floe ice. The Snores were sighted on beptember 24 on September 25 the wind blew strong from the N.W., and the maintop-gallant yard was earned away; Banks' Peninsula was sighted on Saturday, September 26, bearing N.W. 30 miles, and the pilot boarded the ship at 7 a.m. en Sunday.
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In loving memory of Elizabeth Merope Wilson died 6 May 1946 aged 72" (Anderson)
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