Fast Sailing.

Some splendid day's runs were made during the passage. From Gough Island to Cape Saunders the average was 268 miles per day, or, in other words, from January 29th to February 10th, 3738 miles were covered in thirteen days, the vessel being south of 50deg. when the run was commenced. One day no less than 345 miles were covered. Another good run was from the Snares, which was left at 10 p.m. on February 12th, and Nugget Point was abreast at 10 a.m. on the 13th—182 miles in 12 hours.

the Rangitiki on this occasion brought 300 immigrants, and it was Captain Scotland's first visit to Lyttelton. He was warmly congratulated upon having made such a speedy passage.

On January 22nd the ship sighted an immense iceberg, standing about 500 feet above water, and it was about 1500 yards long. It was seen at 4 a.m. and it passed abreast of the ship within a quarter of a mile at 8 a.m. On this occasion the Rangitiki made the voyage from Lyttelton to London and back in six months 27 days.

On the first voyage to Auckland in 1864, which was the maiden trip of the Scimitar, she encountered very severe gales until crossing the Line, and was there becalmed for three weeks. Mr. Edward Wilson, still living in Auckland, who was a passenger by the ship on this occasion, states: "the Scimitar was a very fast sailer when given a chance. I remember, when in the Atlantic, we caught sight of smoke ahead of us. We had a good breeze, and all sails, including the stunsails, were set. We rapidly caught up with what proved to be the Brazilian mail steamer, sailing and steaming. Before evening we left her well astern. Among the passengers to arrive in Auckland on this occasion were the Rev. Rabbi Elkin and Mr. Farquhar McRae, who was for many years headmaster of the Auckland Grammar School."