Hodgson of Clopton House: Correspondence and diary notes

Description

From Emily Hodgson, SS Ruahine, to Frank Hodgson. They are several hundred miles from Wellington, which she hopes to reach in 3 days. Then in less than a week, in Sydney Harbour.They had Christmas day in Panama, joined by their fellow Southampton passengers and sailed the following day. Arrived at Oparo on the 14th.. A most delightful place. Papa went ashore early, the rest waited for the heat of the day to subside. She describes the visit of the natives to the ship. They were very friendly and put out their hands to be shaken so she went to put on her gloves as they were not very clean, also declined to be embraced.. The King, Queen and 2 of the Royal Princes came on board. She describes their dress. She says that they are a fine looking race. The Queen admired their hairbrushes and a white muslin nightgown. They exchanged old ribbons for yams and water melons.. They went on shore after dinner. it has a small range of mountains and no tall trees. Describes the small churches built by French missionaries as mud huts with nothing in them but a few prayer books. Left the next morning. Old Lyttleton and his son sit close to them at dinner. The steamer is very comfortable and a change after their American experience. 23rd today, Annie's birthday. Corrie Hewitt is very nice and quiet. She describes a minstrel show, given by the passengers and Papa has had a chess tornament with Mr Lytlleton. There are many cockroaches on board but not very large. A rat occasionally runs through the saloon. There has been a death on board, one of the engineers who was saved from the wreck of 'The London' .