QUEENSTOWN: The great number of excursionists who have made Queenstown their rendezvous on account of the official inauguration of the twin-screw steamer Earnslaw had for the first time an opportunity of viewing the steamer properly this morning. For the purpose of being photographed by a bevy of camera men who have followed every movement of the holiday-makers, the vessel was moored away from the wharf at an early hour at a distance and clear of the jetty.
The Earnslaw looks every inch a modern lake ferry steamer. Her length, which is considerable, is consistent with her elevation above the water line, and everything about her is in good proportion. A foot or two above the water line she wears a fender traversing almost her entire length, and again above is an open space and a row of stauncheons by which the second deck is supported.
The two saloon cabins on the lower deck are well furnished, one of them handsomely so. The main saloon is situated aft, and is sumptuous in every detail. The upholstering is of a class which should stand a good deal of wear, besides which it is attractive, and the seats and lounges are arranged so as to give the maximum of both comfort and convenience. The engine room is situated amidships, and forward there is a cabin provided for walkers on the promenade deck. The wheel house is the only obstruction, and above this very necessary structure is the bridge.
• In a recent work, "Views and Reviews from the Outlook of an Anthropologist" (a copy of which may be seen at the Dunedin Athenaeum), Sir Harry Johnston says: "The Imperial mother might call the attention of New Zealand to the fact that the people and Government of that dominion have now reduced to a few hundreds that curious reptile Sphenodon - it is not strictly speaking a lizard - which is the most remarkable feature of the New Zealand fauna ... It is perhaps the oldest type of land vertebrate actually visible to us. At one time reptiles of this order existed in England and Scotland, and in parts of Germany and India, as well, no doubt, as elsewhere in the old world; but they survive at the present day only in New Zealand.
At the time of the British discovery they were fairly abundant over both islands; but they are now relegated to one of two minute islets in the Bay of Plenty, off the North island; and even here they are mercilessly destroyed by the New Zealanders whenever they can get a chance. Sphenodon Punctatus - usually known locally at the tuatara - is quite harmless, and the attempt to exterminate it appears insensate, if the New Zealanders have any natural pride. On account of its age and extraordinary structural interest, they should long ago have adopted the tuatara as their national emblem."
• Considering the weather last night, the Navy League's Trafalgar Day demonstration drew a surprisingly large audience to the Garrison Hall. ...
The stage was decorated with an array of pot plants, and round the gallery gay flags spelt out the words of Nelson's immortal signal run up on the eve of Trafalgar.
Two valuable and entirely appropriate kinematograph pictures occupied an important place n the evening's programme. One of these was a reproduction of the Battle of Trafalgar, concluding with the death of Nelson in the cockpit of his flagship, and the other a series of pictures of a crew of smart lads undergoing various forms of exercise on a naval training ship. - ODT, 21.10.1912.
