CHRISTENING OF THE STAR STEAM COMPANY'S ENGINE.

West Coast Times, Issue 144, 5 March 1866, Page 2

CHRISTENING OF THE STAR STEAM COMPANY'S ENGINE.

On Saturday last the coromony of ohriatening tho engine of tho Star Steam Pumping Company on tho Kanierie Flat took place, and to witness it nearly overy miner in the distriot attended, besides a goodly sprinkling of folk from Hokitika. , . The weather was everything that could bo desired, although onco it was feared ft downpour of rain was inevitable, ai the olouds suddenly b.aokod up in tho S.E., and thunder was hoard in the distance. Happily, howevor, those threatening appoarances passed a way, land tho afternoon turned out beautifully flue. A very short time had been allowed the company to make preparations, for it was only ut a meeting hold the preeoding night that the dotorminution to inaugurate the works noxt day was decided upon. The decision once arrived at, no time was' lost, and by noon everything was in readiness, tho ongine-houso being gaily decoratod with flags and evergreens, and an oxcellont " spread " laid out upon the claim. Work of course was duspendod, although steam had beon got up, iUid another sot of elevators attached, so that iho power of tho engiuo might be luvorauly displayed. To tho Star Compuny belongs tho honor" of first introducing steam power- as au aid to jiiining, although others have followed very closuly upon their tracks. Still they are ihoiirat thut have commenced work, and to their credit therefore bo tho same recorded. Their engine and plant is worth a visit of inupeotion, for the former is perfect of its kind, ooing a double cylinder of 12 horao power, und kept in beautiful ordor, doing the work required of it with easo. In fact so far it has novor boeu worked up to half its powor, there having boon no necessity to do so, and no ditlloiUty hus n« yet been experienced iv generating an abundance of steam with wood alone for fuel. The olevatorsj and every other part of tho works are subatantilly ereotod and refleot the greatest oredit upon Mr Shoars the engineer, who drew out all the plans, and superintended their being carried out. At present two elevators only are attached to the drum, but three con be lised if neoessary, and we were informed by tho above gentleman that tho engine was sufficiently powerful to drive six sots, which assertion we are_ iriolined to beliove from the ease with which it worked the two. At 1 p.m. all b,eing in readiness, the steam whistle soreamed out a notioo for the guests to assemble, and soon a goodly assemblage mustered on the grouud. Amongst them wo noticed Mrs and Misi Winter, the ltdy and daughter of the Provin-oialSub-Treasurer, Mr Sohaw the Warden of the Kanieri, and Mr Alymer, Warden of the Totara diitriob. Thert wai alio • rtroog mutter of thf bit dwqtf of tht dtartet, who

looked and smiled their best and added most materially '.o tho ploasuro of tho seeno. At half post ono o'clock tho chair was takon by Mr prate, who oponed tho proceedings by dodaring that an unexpected honor had devolved upon him that day, but he accepted it with pleasure, and should long remember the occasion. He congratulated tho minors of tho Kanieri pnthe enterprise and industry they had displayed, and especially tho Star Company, in having been the first to introduce steam power as an aid to mining in West* land, and by their enterprise they had shewn themselves worthy scions of tho Anglo-Saxtfh race, which ever hd the van in tho maroh of civilization and improvement. He considered the Kaniori a most important field and one that promised to rival the fur fumed Ballarat, although the latter boasted of 48 organised companies, a number whioh was still on the increase. Ho trusted and believed ho should yet 100 the day when as many or more. would exist on the Kaniori, and from tho appoarance of the country ho nothing doubted it, as its features indicated the oxisteuce of heavy deposits of gold to be yet unearthed. Providoneo helped thoso who helped themselves, and he believed none wero more deserving its aid than tho minoiß of the Kaniori distriot. Mr Orate concluded his remarks by caning on Mr Sc-haw to christen the Engine. Mr Schaw stepping forward declared they had, in deputing to him such an honor, paid him an unmerited compliment. Ho had novor beforo officiated on such an occasion, therefore trusted thoy would make due allowanco for his want of experience, and although he might be found wanting in that respect, he would not be in hearty good wishes for the success of tho undertaking. Furthor comment on his part was unnecessary 5 he should therefore only call upon them to givo three- hearty cheors when he gavo the signal. A bottle of champagne being bore handed to him, he dashed it upon the engino and in a clear voice named it the Victoria, which act was immediately followed by deafening cheei-B from thoso assembled. To avoid confusion a programme o£ toasts had been drawn out, and" gentlemen appointed to propose and rospond to them, and upon Mr Hawkcs of tho Kivniori devolved tho honor of proposing the toast of tho day — " Success to tho Company." In a few well chosen sentences ho congratulated the shareholders on the suecpsb that had so fur attended their efforts, and tho imint'nso benefit their enterprise had directly conforrod upon tho district, and indirectly upon all parts of Wetland, ns tho exaraplo thoy had set would doubtless bo followed elsewhere. Much credit was due to tnem and ho hud theroforo the greatest pleasure in wishing that tmrcesi might .attond the labors of the Star Company. Hearty cheers hav- ' ing beon given, Mr Cohen responded on behalf ol tho Company, lie said he believed they were less actuated by pecuniary motives than by a desire to confer- a lasting benefit on the Kaniori community, and ho could not help expressing a proud feeling of satisfaction that he belonged to it. In tho name of tho Company he thanked those assembled for the honor of their attendance, and hoped they would tho« roughly enjoy themsolvos. Mr Aylmer gave the health of the Queen and Royal Family, .which was drank enthu* siastically. Mr Gordon proposed the mercantile and mining community, and might thoy over work heartily together. Mr Haukins responded, speaking in en* logistic tonne of the manner in which both had worked to devolope the district. Mr Smith, of the Cumberland Company, introduced " the Ladies," which toast having been duly honored, Mr Garde responded to it in their name, quitting himself admirably. The health of "our worthy Wardo->, Mr Sohaw," was givon by Mr Mannel and replied to with feeling by that gentleman, who declared he felt the greatest interest,in die district, and should always consider it as his duty to as much as possible ail in advancing it. He hoped to soon see the immense flats covered with water-wheels and steum-ongines, and believed an era df prosperity had dawned upon the Kaneiri that .would last for many years. The Press in its turn having been* remembered Mr Cohen proposed, a vote of thanks to the chair, which was carried unanimously, and the ceremony conoluded. The festivities however did not, for danoing was at once commenced and kept up during the remainder of the day.