Sale of P.S. Terranora.

Patea Mail, Volume IV, Issue 145, 1 June 1891, Page 2

Sale of P.S. Terranora.

AUCTIONED AT WAITARA. HER HISTORY*’. (Taranaki Herald.) It is almost twelve mouths since the paddle steamer Terranora came to trade in New Zealand waters. She was built at Glasgow in 1879, her length being 142 feet; breadth (including paddle boxes). 40 feet; draught when loaded, about G feet 6 inches; engines, 94 horse power; average steaming, 8 knots, but 9 can be knocked out of her; nett tonnage, 199 tons. The steamer was employed in the river trade in Now South Wales, principally on the Clarence River, and in the Fiji tr<xdo for a time?, Somo twolYG months ago, the Rev Father Cassidy, who was transferred from New Plymouth to Grafton (New South Wales), and Mrs Margaret Gallagher (who was shot by her husband on Christmas Day last at Waverley) purchased .the

steamer in Sydney, and held her as owners in common, for the purpose of running her in the cattle trade, etc., between Waitara and Manukau In duo course the steamer came over, bringing 300 tons of coal from Newcastle, which she discharged at Nelson and Wellington. The steamer subset quently came on to Waitara, and took up the trade from that port. The Rev, Father Cassidy came over from Australia at the time, and opened up negotiations with several Waitara residents for them to purchase an interest in the steamer. Whether such an interest was purchased by Waitara residents is not positively known, but it is understood that they did purchase a share. The steamer began to trade between Waitara and Manukau, but trade did not appear to be brisk with her, and she then traded to other ports in New Zealand, namely to Wanganui, Wellington, Greymouth, and Lyttelton. Sho was principally engaged, in the cattle and coal trade, and carried pas-

sengers also, having saloon accommodation for 30, Daring her New Zealand career the steamer has been under the command of Captain Reardon, who is an able and experienced officer, and well known in this district. Captain Scott acted as first mate, and Mr Mclntyre as chief engineer. The total strength of the crew was fourteen. On Christmas Day last, it will be remembered, Mrs Gallagher was shot by her husband, who afterwards shot himself, in Ellis’ Hotel, at Waverloy, near Wanganui, where the couple and their family were living, It is understood that on the death of Mrs Gallagher her interest fell to the Rev Fathei Cassidy, they being owners in common. The steamer continued to run in the coastal trade of New Zealand for a few months after the sad occurrence just mentioned, but

she did not seem to prove a profitable speculation, and about two or three months ago she was laid up in the Waitara river, being berthed on the east side, just opposite the business portion of the town. The Rev Father tlassidy’s share in her, namely, 48 of the G4 parts (or three-quarters of the steamer) which had been publicly notified for sale by auction, w r as submitted to the hammer by Mr N. King, at Waitara, at 2 o’clock on Friday afternoon. There was a large attendance at the sale, which was held in front of Mr Bluck’s office, Mr 0. Samuel appeared on behalf of the officers and crow ; Mr J. B Roy for the Waitara Harbour Board and Waitara owners, Messrs T. Bayly, S Nicholis, J. Elliot, and W. Snell, who have 16 shares. Mr Holmes, sheriff,

was iu attendance, and Mr Go vet t appeared for the execution creditors Mr King then read out the liabilities On the steamer, and said she would be sold subject to the sums as follows : Officers and crow. £647 12s 2d ; Harbour Board, £l3l 15s 3d; and two other claims of £l6O 3s 3d, and £723 18s 5d respectively. Messrs Johnston Bros,’ claim is for £515 18s Od, with interest at £6 per centum, from April 17th last. Mr Devine, solicitor, Wellington, on behalf of Mr George Walker, executor for Mrs Gallagher, wrote, claiming 24 parts of the vessel which the letter stated did not go to Dr Cassidy on her death. A number of questions wore asked by Mr Weston of the auctioneer, as to what guarantee ho coull give to anyone purchasing, He declined to give any, saying the 48 shares would be sold subject to encumbrances, ho supposed. Mr (Samuel asked about Cassidy's shares iu tho steamer, and tho auctioneer said ho had to sell 48 out of a total of 64 parts; and he then called for bids. Mr Weston bid £SO, saying it was enough with such liabilities ou her; no bid followed Mr Weston asked the reserve, and the auctioneer said £2OO, Mr Weston said ho would take her, and stated Mr T, Bayly was tho purchaser. Tho sale thou closed. Mr (Samuel said tho crew intended to keep possessiou of the steamer till paid.