TELEGRAMS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 175, 3 December 1868, Page 2

TELEGRAMS.

Bluff. — Dec. 3, 8 a.m., Tararua from j Melbourne. | Port Chalmers. — Dec. 2, 8 p.m., Algate (barque) from Boston ; 3rd, 5 a.m., Gothen- j burg from Bluff ; Omega (at Heads) from Newcastle; 2nd, midnight, Keera for Oamaru. Wellington. — Nov. 3, early, Wanganui from Wanganui ; early, Rangatira from Wanganui; 12.15 p.m., Storm Bird from Lyttelton.

The screw steamer Keera made her trial trip on Saturday, to the satisfaction, Aye believe, of those concerned in connection with the boat, and of her owners. The Keera started from the Pelichet Bay jetty, was stopped for a time off the Port Chalmers jetty, then ran out about four or five miles beyond the Taiaroa Heads lighthouse, and returned to the Pelichet Bay jetty, where the passengers were landed about five o'clock. The engines worked stiffly, as might have been expected; and the boiler primed a good deal. One result was that between 16lb and 17lb was the highest pressure of steam used ; another, that the engine did not at any time reach more than forty-one revolutions a minute ; and, consequently, in the run down, against tide, the greatest speed was only a little over eight knots. In the run back, the engines went somewhat more freely, and the whole result of the trip was a confirmation of the belief that when theengines, &c, have worked themselves into free running condition, the Keera will do her ten knots per hour. There were about 150 guests on board the steamer during the trip. His Honor the Superintendent, went in her as far as Port Chalmers. Mr Watt proposed " Success to the Keera, and health to her owners and to Capt. Joyce." In responding, Mr Gilles said that his first introduction to steamboats was, as Mr Watt knew very well, his venture in connection with the Scotia — a vessel which it was hoped would be floated from the rocks, and which ought to have, been got off, but which wasn't. That was a loss. Then he invested in the William Miskin ; and one boat led to another, until he and others, with whom he was interested, had expended £11,000 for work done to steamers in this port. That was a fact which, he thought, deserved consideration by the merchants of Dunedin, in deciding on board what boats they would ship goods. He believed he could make more out of the Keera by, taking her away from the port than by continuing her here ; but he did not want to take her away. If he could so make her answer, she should run permanently during the summer months between Port Chalmers and Lyttelton, calling at intermediate ports ; during the winter months, she would run on to Wellington, so as to make up for the other trade, which would not then exist. If she did not succeed here, she would be at> once and permanently removed from thi trade. But she was suited for the tradersuited for it by her draft of water, her capacity, her speed, and her accommodation : and he could not suppose that she would Hot receive a fair share of support. The trip was altogether a most pleasant one ; and everything possible to secure the comfort of the guests was done by Mr A. Gilles. Mr B. Gilles, and Captain Joyce. — New Zealand Sun, Nov. 30.