The Invercargill Times. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 5, 1862.

Southland Times, Volume 1, Issue 8, 5 December 1862, Page 2

The Invercargill Times. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 5, 1862.

A Short Mm« ago we announced that onr enterprising townsmen, Messrs. Colin N. Campbell and Co., were about to put a boat on I ake Waikatip. We are now in a position to verify that statement. Messrs C. N. Campbell and Co., in conjunction with Mr. Ebenezer Hamilton and Captain Sinclair, have already made all necessary arrangements for carrying out that object. Mr. Hamilton, who recently arrived from Tasmania, is a gentleman of well-known ability as an engineer in the Australian colonies, and Capt. Sinclair has had very considerable experience in the Glasgow and Highland Steam passenger trade. With lliese gentlemen at the helm, Southland ought to be entitled to her proper position on the map — the Dunedin "straight line" notwithstanding. The steamer will carry Gfty tons of general cargo, and will have comfortable accommodation for about 40 passengers. We have inspected the model,' and, from the opinions we heard expressed by several nautical men,shoul>l think her a boat capable of attaining' considerable speed — at least 10 knots — which will enable her to make two trips a-day. She ha3 also anolher advantage over the generality of New Zealand steamers. In place of firing at theend, as is usual in our small coastal boats, her. boilers will be raised, thus affording a means of firing: from below. By this method steam can be got up in a very short time, as nothing but wood will be used — a very great desideratum in such an undertaking. Her engines are of 12- horse power, and capable of being worked up to 16 or 17, and the proprietors only await the arrival of a few small castings from Dunedin to despatch them at once to the Lake. To show that the projectors do not intend to talk on this subject, we may state that Capt. Sinclair left town yesterday morning, with all the necessary to<l«, workmen, provisions, etc., for carrying out this j'foj of, and we are given to understand that the steamer will be fitted out and running in about she weeks. We need scarcely add, that we wish this spirited enterprise all success. It will do a\vaV with ihe round about route to the W.ikatip, tia Dunedin (which some of our contemporaries advocate), for goods ami passengers from Vicioria, New South Wales, and the Northern Provinces of New Zealand — us a glance at the map of Otago and Southland -will prove. By continuing the straight line of communication from Bluff Harbor, intending diggers and shippers of goods will save much time and cost of transit, and Southland wifl reap the benefit which her geographical position, and her rich pastoral and 'agricultural advantages entitle her to.