THE 'WAITEMATA.'

New Zealand Herald, Volume II, Issue 337, 10 December 1864, Page 4

THE 'WAITEMATA.'

As we noticed in our -.yesterday ,'s issue, this vessel was most successfully launched from the yard of Messrs. Holmes Brothers, at the North Shore, on Thursday last. Invitations were issued by the directors the day previous, to a large circle of Iheir friends and acquaintances, and consequently, shortly after noon, a perfect fleet of hoats were to be seen plying between the Wharf and the North Shore. At length the coiiijiany having all assembled, and a numerous party of ladies and gentlemen stationed themselves on board, the dog-shore was knocked away, and a few minutes before two o'clock the little steamer was floating in her native element. Mrs. Holmes named her in the usual manner the '.Waitemata,' and the launch was greeted with and continued cheering. The company Jiavinjj again all met on the beach, the health of the ' Waitemata' her builders and owners, was most enthusiastically drunk, after which they adjourned to partake of a cold collation, which had been provided for the occasion in Mr. Holmes' new hotel. After lunch, sports of various kinds were entered into, and towards evening the visitors began to wind their way back into town, everyone seeming Well satisfied with the day's enjoyment.

The ' Waitemata' is a fine looking craft, faithfully built, and all of New Zealand timoer. Her dimensions are, 70 feet keel, 75 feet overall, 16 feet beam, 4 feet 9in. depth of hold, and 26 feet over the paddle boxes. Her engines are being constructed by Messrs. Vickery and Masefleld, and will be 30-horse power, capable of working up to 36-horse power ; it is cxpccted they will be ready in about three weeks' or a month's time, "fallen all her engines and machinery are shipped she will draw only 2i feet of water, thus proving herself admirably adapted for the work for which she is intended; viz., a ferry boat.

Tlie ' ATaitemata' is owned by the AYaiteinata Steam Ferry Company, and has been built to run as a ferry boat to and from the North Shore. She has excellent deck accommodation, there being room enough to take on hoard at least six horses and drays, and ample space below for a large cargo. Her passenger accommodation is also excellent, she having a spacious, airy, and roomy saloon, capable of providing for fifty passengers. There is also a fine pantry, steward's room, and every other convenience necessary, erected on board. This steamboat has been fitted with a rudder at both ends, so that she can steam either one way or the other, and eveiy possible thing that could be done to add to the comfort and convenience on board a craft for the trade for which she is intended, has been provided. The directors have expressed themselves highly satisfied with the manner in wli#h. she has been turned off, and altogether she does the utmost credit to her builders, Messrs. Holmes Brothers.

I ? or the present we can say no more, but no doubt in her trial trip, which is to take place about the beginning of the year, we shall have ample occasion to enlarge more fully upon her excellent capabilities and qualities.

We cannot conclude this notice without calling the attention of the public to the manner in which the Messrs. Holmes are studying the comfort of the daily increasing visitors to the North Shore. They have erected and just opened a first-class family and private hotel on, their property, close to the wharf. It is a fine two-storey building, containing 11 spare bedrooms, besides sitting-rooms, &c., and capable of accommodating at least 50 people. He has also enclosed a portion of the beach close by this hotel, for a bathing place, which will be a great boon during the summer months to the pleasure

seekers of Auckland; and as there is if boat running across three times a dav Jl not the slightest doubt but that he will I® largely visited, and meet with that sun™," v deserves. IP ha

We have several times before co mtnf , nf „j upon the excellent, capabilities the North Sh rendered for shin-building purposes* and th jerprising people who Lavelocated themseW there seem fully determined to take everv-1 vantage pf the 9pportunity. Messrs. HoW~ have now* in course of. construction (•- schooners for Mr. Thomas Russell, one nf Ti feet .keel; 18 feet beam, and 7 feet 9 ;„r.i depth of hold; the other 60 feet keel ]fi beam, and 7 feet depth of hold. Mr. Bedd has a fine cutter in the stocks nearly readv °/ ? launching, and also the keel laid for a 501,£,3 of fifty tons builder's measurement, for Gat? Bead, Poverty Bay. His patent slip is occupied by .the schooner 'Zillah, undergoing repair andthep.s' Ballarat,' receinng a new bottom' Mr. JNicol, ot Mechanic s Bay, is also push' ing his new yard forward at the North Shore" and expected shortly to commence .building' He has purchased a piece of ground nesr the flagstaff, adinirably adapted for ship building purposes. ° It it very pleasing to,see this settlement at the North Shore going so rapidly ahead, and now that the summer months and holidays are approaching, we would recommend a visit to tinpretty ;and healthy spot, and can safely say it would be well repditl.