The following is the captain's report: Left London on May 28th with strong westerly winds, and passed through the Downs three days afterwards. On June 3rd landed the Channel pilot at 5 p.m.. having met on the way down strong westerly gales; passing the latitude of Madeira on June 19th, 22 days out. encountering stiff S.W. and W. winds. Secured the N.E. trades, which however, were very light, and passed St. Antonio on the 23th; thence to the Line calrcs and southerly winds prevailed, and the Equator was crossed on July 12th in longitude 26 west, 45 days from London. Had light south-east trades at first, which subsequeutlv increased in strength, and the vessel was carried a long way to the southwest of Tristan d'Acunha. passed on the 29th July. To the longitude of the Cape of Good Hope, experienced north-west and westerly winds. and passed the Cape on August 5th, 69 days out. Thence to Tasmania, nothing but a succession of heavy circular gales, accompanied I by lightning and thunder, and at 100 days out, the aforesaid island Avas sighted. To the coast of New Zealand heavy variable weather, the North Cape being passed on Friday last at 1. a.m., and thence to west north-west, breezes. The passengers sneak very highly of the constant attention bestowed on their comfort by Captain Steel and his officers. Theatrical performances, concerts, dances, and other amusements have been of frequent occurrence on board, and in this way the tedium of a long voyage has been considerably relieved. John Griersham's is named in the list of the Saloon passengers.

A keen sportsman in 1879 John was Te Awamutu Cricket captain and folowing that at Alexandra and also captained the Waipa Football team who selebrated with a dinner after at Finch's hotel.

THE DINNER. After the necessary "ablutions" and change of dress, the two teams were entertained at dinner at the Alexandra Hotel were a most sumptuous spread had been already prepared for them. Host Finch's reputation as a caterer is proverbial, and on this special occasion he outrivalled himself to sustain his reputation. All the good things procurable at this season of the year were produced in abundance for the enjoyment of those who had so well earned a good dinner in doing battle for their respective districts, and served up in a style that the great Soyer himself would have been proud of. Having thoroughly discussed, with "kickite" appetites, their welcome repast, and the debris having been removed, Mr J. C. Grierson (captain of the Waipa team), rose to propose the toast of "The Cambridge Team," coupled with the name of their captain (Mr Moore). In proposing i the toast, Mr Grierson said he felt proud of the position he held that day, and in meeting such friendly, but at the same determined opponents as the Cambridge team had invariably been at their favorite game. He was proud in having beaten them at last at the headquarters of the Club. He thought that the two Clubs united would be able to give a good account of themselves against an interprovincial team had they an opportunity. The toast was received with musical honors and cheers that shook the house, with one more for the captain. Mr Moore, in responding, thanked the Waipa team for the most cordial reception they had given them that day. They were perfectly satisfied with what they received at headquarters, with the exception of one thing — the weather — and that had been very bad indeed. He would call upon them to drink "The Health of the Waipa Team." The toast was received with musical honors. Mr Cotton (Cambridge) proposed "The Health of the Umpires." They had in one sense the most "arduous duties to perform in the match played that day, and he believed they had given entire satisfaction to both parties. He hoped, however, to meet them some day when their decision would be reversed from that of to-day. Messrs Kayll and Conneli responded in a few well-chosen words. Mr Cotton in proposing the next toast said it was one that was frequently proposed at the wind up of pleasant parties, that of the host and hostess : but on this occasion it gave him unusual pleasure to propose. They had met the Waipa and other teams on various occasions at district events, and never before had they had such a spread as they had done justice to that evening. He had great pleasure in proposing " the health of Mr and Mrs Finch and all the young Finches." Received with cheers and musical honors. Mr George Finch, as one of the little Finches, very aptly returned thanks on behalf of his parents. Songs and conviviality succeeded for a short time, and at 8 o'clock in the evening the visitors, to general regret, withstanding the most pressing solicitations to retire till morning, left, under rounds of cheering and good wishes.

 Susan Finch (b: 31 Dec 1862 in Howick, to parents Thomas Finch and mother Jane Creighton Smythe; d: 19 Jan 1956 in Auckland Bur: 20 Jan 1956 Purewa Cemetery)

Marriage: Grierson— Finch.— On April 16th, 1883  at the residence of the bride's brother, Ngaroto farm, by the Rev. K. J. Phillips, John Cresswell Grierson, Esq., Queenwood, Alexandra, to Susan, third daughter of Thomas Finch, Esq., Alexandra.

Waikato Times, 17 April 1883
Our Alexandra correspondent telegraphs last night: The township is generally en fete, celebrating the marriage of the third daughter of our most respected chairman of the district board, Mr Thomas Finch, to Mr.J. D. Grierson, another popular favourite.

Farming: Between 1880 - 1890, the couple farmed between Pirongia and Te Awamutu in South Waikato. First,  John needed to clear his land and advertised:  FOR SALE, CHEAP— Good Kahika. tea Rails ; also, Posts suitable for fencing crops, etc. — Apply to J C Grierson, Near Alexandra.

"Truth" in 1928 explains these years..."WHAT'S all this talk about butterfat being the main commercial lubricant for the wheels of posterity? Perhaps it is, but . . . What about the days when settlers coaxed Strawberry to the bucket all for a meagre 3d a gallon — the days of the early 'eighties, when John Cresswell Grierson was spanking the kine in the Te Awamutu district? Yes, ye disciples of modern agriculture, those were the days when many a cockie had a hard row to hoe, when his mettle of spirit and brawn were put to the real test of adversity. J.C.G. stuck it out for fifteen years before deciding that Waikato daisies were not so lucratively succulent as they appeared. He found his way to city fields where pastures of livelihood were not measured in threepenny pieces.