Our channel career was rather tedious. Off Margate, the main topsail tye brought us to an anchor and again, off Deal, baffling winds performed the same kind of office. Feelings of anger and disappointment at Captain Cubitt's conduct mixed with not a little anxiety as to what hands we might fall into, were experienced by all.

It required all the good management shown by Mr. Seymour to keep us in anything like comfortable order until we dropped anchor at Plymouth Sound on Sunday June 27. Here, we heard that a favourable answer had been received from Captain Alexander who was hurrying down from Scotland to take charge of the ship that had been so suddenly thrust upon him. On Tuesday, he having joined the ship, we weighed anchor and beat out of Plymouth Sound.

On Thursday July 1 we took leave of Old England, the Lizard being the last point sighted. At 3 o'clock the next day we passed between Scully and the Main. Rough weather, head winds and sea-sickness were our lot and the old ship seemed to pitch and roll and shake her sides with laughter at the pitiable faces of the sufferers. At length she and the wind grew tired together and we were allowed to make acquaintance with the pleasures of quietly and easily sailing along the smooth water and light winds.

We had now a full opportunity of seeing into one another's characters. It took us all a few days to discover that we had a captain who was anxious and willing to do all that lay in his power for our comfort and enjoyment. At his instigation chiefly, a slight attempt at evening amusement was made and a newspaper and post office started. An almost utter destitution of contributions soon brought the newspaper to an untimely death and as the business of a post office was a blank, that establishment also ceased to exist.

Food for the body and not for the mind was the cry of the influentials of the cuddy, and so the provisions were shortly made the centre point of political intrigue and commotion. A party of protectionists and another of liberals was formed - the one wishing for the gradual enjoyment of the good things aboard, the other for an unlimited consumption. The Captain however foresaw the future and although he frequently exceeded the scale furnished by the Canterbury Association, he wisely refused to gratify the desires of the minority.

To this trifle - which must appear too ridiculous - must be attributed the greater part of the ill feeling that has existed on board. It does actually seem a great pity that cuddy passengers could have made the comforts they enjoy above others a subject of discontent and ill-feeling rather than enjoyment and gratitude.

On July 9 we spoke to the barque Agnes Blackie from Ilfracombe to Port au Prince. On July 12 we signalled the barque Herald from London to Valporaiso. We signalled H.M. Brig of War The Perry bound for Sierra Leonne, and afterwards boarded her, received by Captain McDonald who furnished us with the latest intelligence we bring, dated July 3.

The death of John Comely on Friday July 16 was a sad warning to many who had been too fond of basking in the sun. He was carried off by brain fever, and on Thursday September 30 we lost another of our young men, Henry Smith, by the same illness. Too much cannot be taken by entering a tropical climate, not to indulge in this dangerous practice.

The bold rugged appearance of Cape de Verde Islands in general, with the cloud-capped heights and beautiful shades formed be the deep gullies of St. Antonia, were an object of great admiration. We had an excellent view of St. Antonia and St. Nicholas, and sighted several other islands.

On Sunday August 1 in speaking to the barque Queen of the Wave, from London to Valparasio, our captain came across an old friend, Captain McLean. Invitations to dinner were offered, and the society of our ladies held out as an inducement, but a strong breeze of wind prevented Captain McLean knowing that the old Duke presented many other beauties than good sailing qualities, which enabled us to leave Her Majesty a long way behind.

On the same day we crossed the Line, and on Tuesday Neptune, having signified his royal intention by the tar barrel post, came on board. It seemed agreed by our Tars that the old king, being defunct, his son had succeeded - a clever fancy to account for the absence of the old fashioned, rough usage - for certainly a more gentlemanlike and well conducted Neptune was never known. Two only of our number was found to absolutely require shaving, and the operation was almost tenderly performed.

We experienced little of the discomfort of the rainy season, and enjoyed much fine weather and pleasant sailing. Our first gale of wind was on September 3, and now we made up our minds to be knocked about according to promise, from the Cape to New Zealand. At dinner it was catch as catch can, and when he can, and the ravages made in the crockery soon taught us that a sauce boat was not a whit less agreeable to the palate than a cup. When the ship pitched and rolled the first thought of each was: Is all secured in my cabin?

Occasionally having turned in moderate weather, one would find oneself summarily turned out and enjoying a quiet roll on the floor. Such things however we all expected and some even preferred this active life to the lazy sailing of the tropics. Very little was to be done at this period of the voyage. Looking out for Australian birds, whales and sea serpents was the principal amusement until on Friday October 25, we sighted Ratchakow Island. Our feelings of sighting the land of our future home were I suppose what many here felt before us, so a description would be of necessity hackneyed.

I did not hear of anyone who was too strongly affected to enjoy the run up the coast. On Sunday 10th, we sighted Banks Peninsula, and at the same time killed the last member of our live stock, showing how wisely the Captain had acted in resisting the desires of appetites rendered ravenous by the sea air.

We were detained off the peninsula by head winds and calm till Wednesday the 20th, when we entered Port Cooper Bay, and on Thursday morning ran up to our present anchorage. How well pleased we are with our ship and grateful to our captain will best be seen by the enclosed testimonials. We have no space to publish the testimonials to Captain Alexander. They will, however, be duly appreciated by the following reply to them:

'To the passengers of the Duke of Portland

The flattering testimonials I have received from you add greatly to the gratification that I feel in bringing my ship to a safe anchorage in Port Lyttelton. This feeling is also strengthened by my perfect conviction, judging from your good conduct during the voyage, that I have brought to this new country men who will be of the greatest benefit to the colony, and who, by their industry and perseverance, will ensure for themselves happiness and prosperity to the end of their days. That this may be the case is the sincere wish of your friend, James Alexander.