Page:Old Westland (1939).pdf/266

240 from Fiji Islands, 50,000 oranges, 50,000 limes, 1,000 cockatoos, 80 pigs, 200 pine-apples, 200 citrons, and a quantity of South Sea Island curiosities. Carey and Giles, agents.” (In the commercial columns of the paper the cargo was advertised for sale by public auction.)

“The brig Rona,” continues the Times, “bound to this port, sailed from the island of Kanatava, one of the Fiji group, on the 16th inst, with light S.E. trades which failed her altogether when the parallel of 33 degrees south latitude was reached. Calms and light airs then prevailed for a few hours, when the breeze came out of the northward, and during the remainder of the passage kept light and variable. The North Island was not sighted, the first landfall being made in the vicinity of Fox’s River on the 26th, where Captain Hayes landed, the brig in the meantime standing off and on the coast under canvas. After a few hours she was headed for Hokitika, and anchored in the roadstead on the morning of the 28th. It was not fated, however, that she should remain stationary, as shortly afterwards a smart breeze sprung up from the N.W., sending in a jumping sea, which set the Rona pitching to her anchor, and caused her, by a sudden jerk, to snap the chain at the hawse pipe. Sail was immediately made and the brig was kept under canvas until noon, when she fastened to the Lioness and