WAIKATO HEADS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume II, Issue 330, 2 December 1864, Page 6

WAIKATO HEADS.

[FliOM OUIt OWN COHKFSI'OMIKMT.] November 30, 1801. The most noticeable event, which has occurred 1 since my lust communication, is the trial trip of (!u> new steam barge ' White Slave,' which took place at an early hour yesterday morning. She is propelled | by two fans, one on cacli side of the rudder, and which are worked bv two steam winches, supplied with three boilers. She will be very commodious for passenger tratlic on the river when her iittings arc finished, but as her services are much needed only the most essential parts of her accommodation have as yet been completed. Her performance on thi~ occasion is, I should imagine so lar as practical use is concerned, but a partial success. When her engines have been overhauled and a litllo more used, however, she may be all her most sanguine friends could wish. Having had her fans, etc., ro-adjusted yesterday, she had a few tons Commissariat stores put on board and left this morning for Ngaruawahia seeming to have been much improved by whatever alterations Captain Cadell's sit ill has suggested. The ' Prince Alfred,'*p.s., arrived here on Monday towing the 'Daring,' schooner, and 'Dent,' cutter, into harbour, and having 31 women and 74 children belonging to men of the VVaikato regiment on board ; they are to be sent up the river to-day, I believe. Considoablo activity prevails now "in the Commissariat, Department, here, large supplies being needed at the various up river stations, and every exertion must be made to supply them before the advance of summer reduces the depth of water in the Waikato and its tributaries; the fxrrangeinent of transport, however, is in Captain Cadell's hands, and they must be more than ordinary difficulties which his energy aud skill cannot overeomo.