ARRIVAL OF THE ‘LADY JOCELYN,’ WITH TROOPS, FROM INDIA.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume III, Issue 153, 18 December 1863, Page 3

ARRIVAL OF THE ‘LADY JOCELYN,’ WITH TROOPS, FROM INDIA.

The signal on the flagslail' for a steamer in sight, about noon of yesterday, caused some little speculation as to whether it was the Lad// Jocelyn with troops, which vessel had been expected for some time. All doubt on the question was dispelled about half-past two o’clock, when the usual signal for troops was hoisted ; and the Lady Jocelyn soon afterwards came round the North Head, and brought up near the Curacoa, in the man-of-war oiling. Hie Lady Jocelyn is a splendid screw steamer, of 1,692 tons register, and,belongs to the East India and London Shipping Company, and she was chartered at Calcutta, to convey the troops here. She is commanded by Captain Robert Ker, Lieut, of the Royal Navy Reserve, and brings the head-quarters of Her Majesty’s 43rd Regiment, comprising 21 officers and'6l6 rank and file ; and also IS women and 93 children. The Lady Jocely nle ft Calcutta on the Sth October, and on account of lie not being sufficiently balllasted, so much so that she was considered unsafe, it was deemed necessary to put in at the Mauritius, where she arrived on the Ist November. She left there on the 6th of that month, and has made a capital run Ironi there to this port. The officers and men appear in good health and spirits, and although Meremere, Raugiriri and Ngaruawahia will not be names to be emblazoned on tiie colours of their regiment, they look forward to future usefulness in supporting the supremacy of Her Majesty. The troops come well supplied with ammunition, having amongst the stores of that nature some 600,000 rounds of rifle cartridges. The Lady Jocelyn is a noble vessel with splendid accommodation, and some idea of her size may be formed when we say she brings nearly 900 souls, and that notwithstanding this little colony on board, she did not appear at all ero wded On leaving Calcutta the heat was most intense, and it was feared that there would be more illness than there has been. As it is, seven persons have died during the voyage—viz., 8 soldiers, 3 women, and I child. One of (he men died of cholera soon after leaving Calcutta. There have been nine births on the paasage. The Lady Jocelyn is about the largest steam vessel except the Himalaya which has entered or these waters ; and we congratulate Captain Ker his safe passage, and the approbation he seems to have received for carrying out the responsible duty entrusted to him so efficiently.— Southern Cross, Dec. 11.