THE INDRAGHIRI.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 10200, 3 August 1896, Page 4

THE INDRAGHIRI.

,'The new steamer Indragliiri, the latest addition to the already large fleet of steamers of the TySer line, engaged ill the trade between London, Australia, and New Zealand, arrived from London and way ports yesterday' morning, berthing at the Queen-street wharf. Tile Ihdraghira is a steel vessel, built early this year at Glasgow by the well' known builders, Messrs. Charles Connel and Co., and was eUgined by Messrs. Rowan and Co., of the same place. She has a gross tonnage of 5000, the registered tonnage being 3181. The total carrying capacity of the steamer is 7820. tons dead weight, on a draught of 25ft. 2in.. The two forward holds are insulated, and have room for 75.000 carcases of mutton. Besides this large quantity of meat there is room for 3800 tons of general cargo. The length of the vessel overall is 400 feet, with a beam of 48 feet. The engines are on the triple expansion principle, and the boilers have been tested to 2001b to the square itlch. She is fitted with a bronze propeller, and Howdeit's forced draught is also installed. Throughout the vessel is fitted with all the moßt modern improvements, including the most recent appliances for the rapid loading and discharging of cargo. The officers are all provided with excellent quarters, And the saloon is very tastefully fitted, having a most comfortable appearance. Cabt. J. Firth, who lifts beeh SO long connected with the New Zealand trade whilst in command of the Indramayo, is in charge of the Indraghiri, and speaks in the highest terms of the seagoing qualities of the new steamer, a fair trial having been given whilst running down the casting, and on the i'Un across from Sydney, very heavy weather having been experienced. The weather from the Cape of Good Hope to Cape Otway was the roughest Captain Firth lias ever experienced ; but the steamer behaved splendidly, and was as steady as possible. On the run across the Tasman Sea southerly winds and heavy beam seas prevailed, and Captain Firth was still further satisfied of the excellent sea - going qualities of the steamer by the way in which she behaved. Taken altogether, the ludraghiri is about one of the finest steamers of her class which has yet visited this port. She comes into port in splendid order in all departments. Of the voyage, Captain Firth reports:— The Indraghiri loft London on May 23rd, and coaled at Las Palmas on the 30th. Fine weather prevailed to the Cape of Good Hope, whioh was rounded on June 18lh. Whilst running down the easting very heavy weather was experienced, lasting until Cape Otway was made, Melbourne being reached at 2 a.m. on July 14. HavingputoucaboutlSOOtonsof cargo the steamer proceeded on to Sydney where further consignments were discharged, and a quantity of frozen meat taken on board. The voyage to- Auckland was resumed at 6.30 p.m. on July 27, and fresh to strong southerly winds, with squally and showery whather, and high southerly swells and seas prevailed until Saturday morning last, when Cape Maria. Van D.iemon was passed at s.fto o'clock; thence moderate winds and seas, until making the Gulf, when strong southerly winds and sea, with heavy rain squalls were met with, and the steamer anchored off Tiritiri at 2 a.m. yesterday, the steamer coming into harbour, and berthing at 8.30 a.m. The officers associated with Captain Firth are --Chief, Mr. Hoilingsworth; second, Mr. Linkhvter; third, Mr Moor; chief engineer, Mr. Walls; refrigerating - engineer, Mr. Sales. The Indraghiri will commence discharging this morning, and is expeoted to leave for Napier on Wednesday night, where a large consignment of frozen meat is awaiting shipment. Messrs. Stone Brothers and Co. are agents for the vessel.

•THE TARAWERA. The Union Company's steamer Tarawera left Sydney for this port at 6 p.m. on Wednesday last, and is expeoted to arrive early this morning. She leaves for East Coast and Southern porta at noon to-morrow.

PORT OF ONEHUNGA.

ARRIVALS. Takapuna, s.s., John Grant, from Lyttelton, Wellington, and New Plymouth. Passengers: Misses Ballantyue (2), Gray, Tringham, Chisholm, Meadames Tumbull and three children, Mooney and family (3), Mehaffy and family (3), Chisholm, Blair, Bon. Captain Morris, Messrs Gray, Foster, Turner, Webb, Craig, Reid, Whittall, Orpwood, fleeles, Taylor, Triugham, Reeves, Casßj Gray, Greer, Wilson, Loram, Gavey, Coates, Walker, Cogswell, Loveridge, Knight, Rudkln, Mehaffy, Mooney, Sohloss, Chisholm, Harley, Hodge, Allen, Finemore, Blair. Green, and eight steerage.—Union S.S. Co., agents. *' Gairlooh, s.s~ W. F. Norbury, from New Plymouth. Passengers : Misses Harris, Bnckridge; Crawford,- Butler, ' Trudgeon/ Ho'ulahan, Mrs. Buckridge, Messrs. McKay, Fincham (2), McEwan, Hutchinson, Rawson, Glenn, Blythe, Stennetsi, Ngata, Temete, Whaikana, Dickey, and 9 steerage,—Northern S.S. Co., agents.

The Union Company's steamer Takapuna, Captaiu Grant, arrived at 2 a.m. yesterday from Southern ports. She left Lyttelton on the 30th, called at Wellington and Hew Plymouth, and left the latter port at 2,30 p.m. on the Ist, arriving as above. The Northern Company's steamer Gairlooh arrived at noon on Saturday from New Plymouth with passengers, ISO sheep, 100 boxes batter and general cargo.