Queenstown presented a lively spectacle when the new Lake Wakatipu steamer Earnslaw arrived from Kingston this evening after a run occupying one hour and 40 minutes.
The event has a far-reaching significance to the people of Queenstown, as it foretells a system of regularity, and in future tourists will be assured of communication with the trains connecting with the other centres. In the past the irregularity of the lake steamers has been the cause of much inconvenience, but today there has been placed on the run a steamer with which even the most fastidious will be able to find no fault.
The dimensions of the vessel have been published many times, and it is now generally understood that she is of considerable proportions. Lying at the wharf at Kingston decked out in bunting, and with the sombre rugged hills towering in the rear, she presented an aspect of grace. Her graceful lines and symmetry were accentuated by her pure-white hull being set against the peculiar deep blue of the lake. From her single mast noated a display of bunting, and in every respect the vessel looked a fine example of shipbuilding.
Special trains ran from Invercargill and Gore, and on these about 250 people travelled to Kingston. The Hon. J A Millar, later Minister of Railways, travelled from Dunedin. In all arrangements aboard the passengers found complete comfort.
The majority of the travellers preferred the open top deck from which they could obtain an uninterrupted view of the placid reaches of the lake and the towering snowclad mountains on either side, and expressions of satisfaction and pleasure were to be heard on every hand.
Both the saloon and dining cabin are sumptuously fitted out, and electric lighting is fitted throughout the vessel.
The engine room was obviously in its best trim and a strong head of steam was maintained throughout the run.
The Earnslaw was making unquestionably good progress when a fire signal on the shore of the lake below the homestead of Sunnyside Station called her to await a boat.
The course was altered and she made a detour, occupying about 10 minutes.
When underway again she steamed well and allowing for the delay at Sunnyside made the trip in about and hour and a half. The land adjoining the wharf was densely packed with Queenstown residents when the steamer ran up alongside, and the Queenstown Brass Band played as she was made fast.
Discussing the vessel's capacity with a pressman during the trip the designer Mr McRae said that the order had been placed in January of 1911, and the directions were simply for a steamer about 160 feet long and able to carry about 1000 passengers and 40 tons of cargo.
He was pleased with the result and was satisfied that the vessel would be a great improvement on the old ones.
She was intended to steam at 15 knots per hour, and 16 3.8 had been maintained on her trial run. In other words, she is capable of maintaining a speed of 19 miles per hour.
• Although Mataura is reputedly a "dry" town (says the Southland Times), the quantity of liquor that arrives there is considerable.
By last Saturday night's train barrels and kegs containing no less than 156 gallons of ale arrived, and this quantity is by no means considered abnormal. - ODT, 19.10.1912
