THE ANCHOR USE STEAMER CHARLES EDWARD.

Colonist, Volume XVIII, Issue 2129, 21 September 1876, Page 1 (Supplement)

THE ANCHOR USE STEAMER CHARLES EDWARD.

Now that, the alterations and .repairs which thi3 vessel has been undergoing for the last four or five months are so nearly completed, it is desirable that some account should be given of the work which has been done, and of the improvements which have been effected on this favorite steamer1. On the Ist of April in the present year the Charles Edward was placed upon the stocks in front, of the Anchor Foundry for the purpose of being lengthened, and she was also to receive a thorough ovorhaul. The vessel was then cut in two ju*t abaft the paddle bos, and the two portions of the ship were drawn sufficiently assunder to admit of twelve feet being built Into the vessel At first glance this might not uppsar a very difficult uiiiiertukiug, nor would it be with a straight flat, bux shaped vessel, but with i.he (iue lines of this steamer the work was not so exceedingly simple. The ship had been cut in two twenty feet aba.lt her centre, ana a3 she w»s to be lengthened twelve feet it was of course necessary to put her centre six feet further back than it wa3 originally, and this necessitated greater care !;o keep her true lines than would have been the case hid the ship been divided at the centre; but that, of course, was impracticable in consequence of her machinery, piddles, &c, occupying the central position. However, the difficulties in the way. were all surmounted in the most satisfactory manner, and her lines are maintained so well that although she was one of the prettiest models of a paddle steamer when her length was but 125 feet, yet her appearance now that ahn is 137 feet long is even more striking than it was before. The effect of the increased length of the vessel will be not only to give her more passenger accommodation and more comfort and conveniences for her passengers, but it vvill also give her an additional carrying capacity of twenty tons. The saloon has been lengthened by six feet, and that in the widest part, allowing sleeping accommodation to be provided for eitjht additional passengers, as well as enlarging the saloon proper. The skylight over the saloon is lengthened four feet, thus giving considerably more light below. More ventilation is also provided, and generally it will be found that a considerable amount of forethought baa been expended for the comfort of passengers of this class, from which they cannot fail to benefit. The poop has been new decked from abaft the paddles, and two additional deck houses have been erected, each of which is fitted with bunks, &c, to accommodate two persons; thus the ship's complement of saloon passengers is increased in all by twelve. The additional carrying capacity of twenty tons lias been given her in the main hold, the hatches of which, as also of her fore hold, have been very much enlarged, and the wooden combings have been replaced with iron ones, and both holds have also been new floored. Besides these more noticeable alterations, a great many other things have been done, all with a view of giving the vessel additional strength, or providing more comfort. In addition to the 12ft. of new plating put,, into the vessel in lengthening her, nearly all her bottom has been replaced with new plato iron, (md a great many angle iron frames h-uve been renewed ; indeed, nearly 40 tons of now plate and angle iron have boen put into the vessel in effecting the present alterations, &c. Then, too, her engines and boiler have been meat thoroughly overhauled, and everything has been done to make them as serviceable as possible. New sponson houses and new galley, and cook's house have been erected under the bridge, and new plate iron bus been put in the bunkers, and in accordance with directions received from the Customs department, the outside spoiißons have been raised 18 inches, so that the paddle boxes are higher out of the water, and this work has all been done in the strongest manner, and strengthened with iron work. In the forward portion of the vessel the alterations are not so numerous. Tne forward bulvaMcs have been raised 18 inches towards the head, with the view of keoping the ship more dry when steuming head to sea ; and her forecastle and forecabin have both been refitted and painted. The whole work of alterations and repairs lias been effected under the superintendence of Mr A. Brown, the manager of the Anchor Foundry and the Company's engineer, and that gentleman having in view the especial hard work these steamers have to undergo, has bad every portion of the work now on the point of being completed executed in the most thorough manner, and everything has been put together as strongly as possible; In v few days the Charles Edward will be removed from fcho slocks, and after a few finishing touches have been made, the vessel will be ready lor sea, and it ia to be hoped her future career will be as prosperous as the past. Her rig will be that of a top-sail schooner, and her speed under steam should be}, on the whole, greater than it was before, inasmuch as the lifting of her paddle box and her greater displacnment and lighter > draught upon her old tonnage must increase her spaed.

Mn: Hbnht LeWis has boon appointed Deputy of the Registrar ot Births, Deaths, aud Marriages for the District of Takaka. Wk regret to have to record the death of another of Nelson's pioneer settlers, Mr. George Tarr, of Washington Valley. Mr Tarr arrived here

close on thirty-live years ago, aud after enduring with his shipmates the hardships of those trying times, he commenced business as a butcher. After a long and honorable career in business, Mr Tarr retired aud lived in comfort for the remainder of his life on the well-earned fruits of his industry. Mr Tarr's health has for some time back shown signs that his hitherto strong constitution was'beginning to break up, and his death, which took place at the residence of his son-in-law, Mr. William Taylor, on Sunday, Sept. 17, was not unexpected. Deceased who had exceeded by a few months the good old age of eighty-four years, was an affectionate parent, a good citizen, and a sincere Christian ; and he fell asleep, being at peace with his Maker, and fellowmen, on the thirty-fifth anniversary of his departure from Old England. The funeral took place <on September 19, and was largely attended.

A Wateb Stout.— On Sunday, September 17, although the quantity of rain which fell in this neighborhood was not great, at Stake, at the point where the railway runs through Mr. Stafford's property, a perfect deluge came done. The water fell in a stream, and was probably the effect of a water spout. At this place there is a wide water-course, but notwithstanding this there was a small flood, and some 150 yards of ballasting was 'washed from the railway, and two gratings used to prevent cattle straying upon the line, were .completely blocked up with gravel. The afternoon down train was delayed a short time.

Bbidge-stkert School, Third Division.—The Town Committee of Education have appointed Mr Hugh Thompson, son of Mr T. J. Thompson of .Richmond, to this school. His excellent education and high character warrant us in congratulating the Committee on their choice.

Entertainment. —The Christmas tree and entertainment at Stoke on Sept. 6ch, in aid of the organ fund of St. Barnabas's Church, wus highly successful, the only thing militating against it was. that the ball was far too small for the occasion. Some two hundred gifts from the Christmas tree were disposed of, and there wns vooal and instrumental music. Several of the members of the Nelson Harmonic Society were present, and some glees were capitally sang, as wore also songs by Mr A. Scaife, Mr J. Garrard, and others. Speciul trains were laid on from Nelson and Richmond, and about eighty from Nelson, and forty from Richmond, availed themselvet of this opportunity of being present at the entertainment. About £21 19s 6d was realised by the entertainment and it. i* expected that the fuud will receive about £20.

I.O.Gr.T.—A tea meeting was given under the auspices of the Normanby Lodge, at the Temperance Hall, on Sept. 6:h, in honor of the Brothers of tho Order belonging to the ship Lutterworth, who in a few days will bid farewell to Nelson. Tho three City Lodges were very fairly represented, arid after the tables were cleared, some excellent songs, recitations, and speeches wore given by both Sisters and Brothers. A vory pleasant evening was spoilt, and the meeting closed about ten o'clock.

Found Dead. —An inquest was hold on Saturday, Sent. 2nd. and adjourned to Tuesday, sth instant, at tiie Lyndon station-house, Ainuri, J. S. Cnvorhill, Ksq., J P., acting as Coroner, on the body of George Balfour, who was found dead on the morning of the 2nd. The evidence produced :it the enquiry showed that the deceased, who was a sheep liirmer on the Lrndon run, had for many d.iys previous to his death been suffering from violent pains in his face; thnfc in attempting to relieve himsolf from the pains he was suffering, he incautiously took a large dose of chJorodyno on the evening previous. The medical evidence on the post mortem made by Dr Oven' den, of Kaiapoi, confirmuj the evidence given at the first day's enquiry, as it revealed the existence of a large quantity of morphia in Iho stomach. The jury returned the following verdict:—" Thab the deceased came by his death from accidentally taking too large a dose of chlorodyna." The deceased, who wns much rosperted iv the district where he had. lived for muny years, was buried iv the Waiau cemetery on the 7th instant.

MiLiTAiiY Funebal.—On Sunday, September 10, Mr Gviorge Outridge, who had been suffering from typhoid fever but three or four days, died suddeul,-. The deceased wiis a. member of the City .Rifle Corps, and being greatly respected by his comrades, they desired that he should be buried with military honors, but iis his funeral was to take place as speedily as possible, it was at first thought impossible to pay this murk of respect. However, the mom bars of the different Volunteer Corps bestirred themselves on the following morning, and in the afternoon they paraded in considerable numbers in front of Christchurch. The cortege, headed by a firing party from the City Rifles, and by the Artillery Band, playing the Dead March, passed down Trafalgar-street on its nay to tho new Cemetery about, three o'clock, and the remains of the deceased were followed by a number of mourners, and by members of eauh of the City Volunteer Corps.

Firk. —At an early hour on Sunday, September 10, a large wooden building which stood upon Mr Hibberd's land, Clifton Terrace,'"Wakapuaka, was completely destroyed by fire. The building, which e!.o;>d a considerable distance from the road, was used as a barn, stable, and shad, in which, besides a quantity of farm produce, were two spring carts and n valuable dog. The two carts alono were saved, and even these were considerably burnt. The poor dog, although not chained up, would not quit the burning building, and consequently perished in the fire. It .is impossible to form any idea as to tho origin of tho Grp. Tho building w<s uninsured.

The Ltrll. —The Alpine claim at the Lyoll has yielded 252 ounces of gold from 223 tons of stone. A good crushing is also expected from the Long Drive.

Wesltsyan Church.—The tea meeting in connection with the anniversary of this church was held in he Wesley an schoolroom on Tuesday, September 12, and was a great success—about 200 persons partaking of the excellent tea provided. Shortly after the,tea a public meeting was held in the chupel, which was crowded. The meeting being opened in the usual manner, the chair was occupied by Mr John Rose, who, after explaining tho nature of the meeting, wns followed by Mr Smith, the Church Secretary, reading the report, which showed that the church was in a prosperous condition. Addresses followed by the Revs. D. Dolamore, W. B. Marten, John Beckeuliara, and G-. S. Harper, and Messrs Price and Smith, which were interspersed with musical selections by the choir. Votes of thanks were accorded to the choir for their services during the year, and to the ladies who kindly assisted id providing the tea, •the doxology bringing a pleasant evening to a close about a quarter to ten. Ths total amount of the collection amounted to nearly £25.

On September 9th, 7,500 ounces of gold reached Groymouth from the Inangab.ua district.

At St. Mary's Catholic Church, on Sunday, Aug. 27, after service several members of the congregation presented the leader of the choir (Miss Mary FranV) and the organist (Mr. R. Stowarr, jun), with handsome presents, as a slight recognition of the services they have rendered to the Church. - The gifts'were accompanied by the following letters■:—■ 'Nelson, August 27, 1876. Bear Miss Frank,—lt is with a grateful sense of the effective and persevering assistance you have rendered in St. Mary's Choir that we ask your acceptance of this present, which, though of small value in itself, will indicate our appreciation of your sslf-denjing efforts in an important part of our worship. We trust that on this account the possession yvi tl ufford you pleasure, and may you over enjoy the Ssteero you havo justly merited from the whole congriigation. Nelson, August 27, J 876. Mn Kobert Stewart. vk MU .r Sir, —Tl'e congregation of St. Mary's Church desiro to acknowledge your valuable services ac Orpanist by asking you to accept this small token of their esteem. Though of small value in itself, our present ib accompanied with grateful acknowledgement that your efforts have tended to the efficiency of the Choir. Be assured that, our earnest desire will ever continue for your happiness and prosperity.

NeiSDJ* CoLpBGE. —The Rev. J. C. Andrew, M.fr.R, mb been appointed as Head Master of Nolson College. Wo he.ir ■ that there were twenty-

Ihrfta applications for this important post. Fatal Accident on tub Lady Barkxy.—Whilst the birque Queensland, which cama down th 6 Bay Friday, Sept. 15th, wai sailing into the harbor about 5 p.m, the p.s>. Lady Barldy vent to tow her up the harbor. Tho barque swung off the beach almost immediately, and the steamer, got a tow-line aboard, and commenced bringing her up, she had not proceodftd far.however, when an iron hook on the Btarboard sido of the srei'.Mur, to which tho chain bridle attached to the hawser wa3 made fasb nuddenly snupppd, probably owing to tho extra strum aud : jerltfi causer! by the roughness of the sea which was running. Unfortunately a seaman, named Harry Simms, belonging to the Lady Barely, was standing on t'le port quarter of the steamer at tho time, aud he not having room to move out of danger, even had ho received any wnrnintr, was struck in ths body by the chain bridle, and was killed instantaneously. He was obsnrvod to throw up his arms, and ho nave one groan, but his death must have occurred immediately. Dr. Squires was at once sout for, and was in attendance as speedily as possible, but of course- the po<u« fellow was beyond medical assistance. We understand that fcho'deceased, who was a native of. Hobart Town, had been engaged on board the Lady Barkly for some years. He was a married man, but we bolievo without family. This melancholy accident caused considerable excitement and dismay ou board tho two vessels, and at the Port whore Simms was well known. An inquest was held on the following day. and a verdict of " Accidental death" returned.

Nrkson Fire Brigade.— The annual meeting of the Nelson Volunteer Fiie Brigade was held on Soph. 15th, at their Station, Captain Ligbtfoot in the chair,, nnd there was a full attendance of members. The Treasurer's yearly balance-sheet which sLowed I a satisfactory balance in hand,' was read and adopted. Th'n following officers were then elected: —Captain: W. Lightfoot, re-elected. Lioutenant :C. Bird. Foreman of Hook and, Ladder Company :T. Wimsntt, re-elected. Foreman of No.. 1 Hose Company :W. Thomson, re-elected. Foreman of No. 2 Hose" Company, T. K. Stringer, reelected. Fovomnn of the Fire Company :J. Gay. Seorotftry :E. Smallbone, reacted. Treasurer: C. Brighten, ro-eieced. It was decided to hold the Brigade's annual dinner on or about Tuesday, the 26th instant, at Mr Disher'a Trafalgar Hotel, when it is expected that the chair will be taken by bia Honor the Deputy-Superintendent, and the vice chair by his Worship the Mayor. Ifc was resolved to provide a new working; uniform for the members, the present being much injured by service. I.O.Gr.T.—Although the weather was so wretchedly bad on Thursday, Sept. 14th, yet the Oddfellows' Hall waa filled, when for the third lime the drama Ton Nishts in a Bar-room was performed in Nelson The'actors acquitted themselves quite as creditable as on tho former occasions, and the entertainment gave .general satisfaction. The performance by the Nelson Amatnnr String Band were much admired, and were greeted with warm applause. The boat for the Telegraph Department, the building of which was entrusted to Mr T. R. H. Taylor, of the Port, was lakcm from the builder's shed and launched on Saturday afternoon, September 9. The boat is> 21ft lOin overall and sft beam, clincher built and cooper fastened ; is painted with' three coats of paint on the inside*, and aiso on the outside up to the water-line, above which she is varnished. She is furnished with two 14ft. sculls, two 13ft Sin, and one pair of 10ft sculls. She is also provided with a boathook, and her sail is a French lug. Her back-board is guilder!, nnd beurs the name of the little vessel, " The Duplex," in telegraphic characters. Mr Taylor only recived tho order three weeks since, and we are told the bo.'it, with all necessaries, has beon completed for the very moderate sum of £30.

"Locals." —The Lyell (Nelson Province) Argus of September 2nd, says: —We don't know of any ; and it's no use telling falsehoods. Is it?