TRIAL TRIP OF THE CLEOPATRA.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume II, Issue 227, 27 September 1867, Page 2

TRIAL TRIP OF THE CLEOPATRA.

A trial trip took place yesterday afternoon in . the harbor, for the purpose of testing the steaming qualities of the p.s. Cleopatra, which has just been purchased from the General Government by Mr J. Paul, on very favorable terms. A large number of the friends o£ the owner had been invited on. the occasion, and the weather, with the j exception of a few slight showers, was all that could be desired. The Cleopatra steamed the measured mile on the Boulderbank in 7m. 17 s., or at the rate of 8 l-sth miles per hour, the fuel employed being inferior Waikato coal; this may be considered as good average speed. Her dimensions are 100 feet in length, 14 feet beam, 5 feet 3 inches depth of hold, and her draught is between 3 and 4 feet; she is therefore admirably adapted for navigating the New Zealand rivers, for which purpose she was originally employed as a commissariat tender on the Waikato. The engines are direct acting high-pressure, 25-horse power nominal, but capable of working up to 50. The steamer has excellent accommodation, with plenty of. room on deck, and an unusually spacious saloon. On the return, of the Cleopatra from her trip a very substantial luncheon was offered to the guests in the saloon, and the usual loyal toasts having been duly honored, the chairman, Mr M'lntosh, proposed the health of Mr J. Paul, whom he eulogised as* an enterprising member of the community, and who was entitled to respect as a self-made man. Mr Paul replied in appro-priate-terms, and Mr Wilson then proposed ' Success tothe.Cl6opatra,' to which Mr Bentley,M.P.C, who occupied the vice-chair, responded. The Ladies were then honored, and Mr J. Wilkie acknowledged the compliment paid them by Mr Paul. The Chairman having proposed the health of the future Captain of the Cleopatra, Mr Paul,, -in reply; took' occasion to state that Captain Palmer would' fill this post, and that he intended to apply to the. Provincial Government to subsidise the Cleopatra, in order to ply her on the Little Wanganui, the Heaphy, and other small rivers on the West Coast, where he had the best authority for stating ' there was payable gold, and which were now unwprked, in consequence of the difficulty experienced in conveying supplies to any diggers* who might test them. The health of tbe late officers of the steamer was tben given, and responded to by Mr Steadman, and the chairman having proposed the health of Captain Ponsonby, who had charge of .the Cleg-paira during the trip, and three cheers having, been given for Mr Paul, the company returned to the tipper deck, and thortly afterwards disembarked, much gratified with their excursion and with the hospitable entertainment which had been provided for them.