"Star" Pigeons Go To Sea.

Most of the early Aucklanders that went home for pleasure and those that had business in the Old Country used to try and fit in their arrangements so as to sail with Captain Ashby. This was an additional reason why the Auckland people of fifty years ago used to take such a personal interest in this fine seaman and his ships. Not content with giving the "City" a wonderful send-off Auckland wanted to know how the passengers were finding their sea-legs, and just half a century back the "Star" anticipated wireless by sending some of its famous carrier pigeons out to sea with the popular skipper. On December 7, 1872, for instance, there is a message dated from the City of Auckland "63 miles eastward of Tauranga." A second message was sent when the vessel was nearing the East Cape. Four birds were given to Captain Ashby, and two never returned to the "Star" lofts, but a couple of years later Captain Kennedy, of the Tawera schooner, brought word of a pigeon in a kainga at the East Cape. The Maoris had made a pet of the bird, but an offer of £1 induced them to relinquish their claims in the foundling, which proved to be one of the missing quartet. The Maoris had kept the message which was tied round the bird's leg when it came ashore at East Cape, and it proved to be from Captain Ashby, 260 miles out, wishing Auckland farewell and telling of the sufferings of the passengers from mal de mer during heavy weather.

Captain Ashby was succeeded by Captain Ralls as commander of the "City." Captain Ralls made five successful voyages to New Zealand in her, and on the sixth he was wrecked on Otaki Beach, the "City" becoming a total loss, as I shall explain later on.