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West Coast Times, Issue 334, 18 October 1866, Page 2

As the transhipment of the Taranaki's passengers and cargo was not effected yesterday, her departure was postponed until to-day, when, weather permitting, she will sail for Nelspn for the purpose of coaling there. If a supply of fuel is not available nt that port, she will proceed onwards to Wellington to obtain it, and then at once return to Hokitika on her passage to Melbourne. Her arrival here may therefore be expected on or about Monday next. This smart steamer made, on her late passage from Melbourne, an unusually quick run of 108 hours, which may be accepted as an earnest of future performances, her sniling powers being of an exceedingly high character.

Although there was an ugly sea running yesterday the bar was in good working order, as the different vessels which crossed found the channel to bo deep and wide, and experienced no mishap either when entering or departing. The harbor boats commenced work at an early hour ; the Challenge leading out at 3 a.m., with the Mary, " brigantine, in tew, and was shortly followed by the Yarra, •which was anxious to make a long day of it, and, if possible, clear the three steamer? in the roadstead of their remaining passcngeas and luggage. After casting off' her charge the Challeuge returned inside, but the Yarra stayed v out until midday, and then came in with 100 passengers, a"nd a proportionate quantity of luggage onboard. Shoxdischarged, shipped passengers for the Esmiont, and then made for the roadstead again ; and the transhipment effected, she received on board between forty and fifty passengers from the Taranaki, and would have cleared that vessel but for th,e tide which, falling rapidly,' warned

her to head for the bar. At noon tho Challenge steamed out with the ketch Jane Elkin — the latter having been engaged to lighter the Gothenburg — and then returned for th# Lizzie Coloson, and conveyed her safely to oeil, the vacancy thus created at j^io wharl being moro than filled By the barque Alma, which hung astern of the Challenge on her return to the river. The tug completed an j excellent day's work by towing out the Spray. Captains Niehol and Wilson report the channel to be in good condition, the least water found being ten fret. After a detention of six days in the roadstead, caused by floods and bad weather, the s.s. Egmont took her departure for the Blufl' yesterday afternoon. So long a delay is unusual, even ar the port of Hokitika, and we sincerely trust that the Egmont will make up for it by a quick run round the coast, and that on her next visit she will be favored with more propitious weather The barque Alma sailed from Hobson's Bay on the 30th ult., with moderate north winds and fine weather. Passed through Port Phillip Heads rit 7.30 a.m.. and cleared the Straits tho following day, taking a last departure from the Sisters." Ou tho 3rd inst. the wind veered into the east, and south-east, and hold there — a steady gale which several times brought the barque down to double-reefed topsails — until the 1 12 th, on which day Mount Cook was lighted, when it veered to the north and north-east. The Alma brought up in tlu* roadstead the following day, but a bnd bnr kept her outside until the 17th, and then she was towed to the .wharf by the Challenge. She brings a full and assorted cargo, and four passengers.

The M.A. and N.Z.S.S. Company's s.s. Gothenburg, Hugh Maekie, commander, left Fobson's Bay at two p.m. on the 4th inst. Carried moderate S.S. winds and thick weather to Kent's Group, when the breeze shifted suddenly into the S.E., and in a few hours was blowing a terrific gale, which compelled the steamer to ease steam and heave to.. For three days she went dead b\ow, and kept by the wind, when the Aveather moderated and veered to the northward, and hence to the roadstead moderate north and N.E. winds prevailed. ♦The New Zealand coast was sighted at 2 p.m. on the 10th inst, and on the 11th the Gothenburg brought up in the roadstead. She brings 100 tons of cargo and 210 passengers, anil will leave again direct for Melbourne to-day. Wo are gratified to learn that Oaptain Kennedy, late in command of the Colonial Government s.s. St. Kilda, has been appointed to the P.N.Z & A.R.M. Company's s.e. Lord Ashley. Captain Kennedy is one of the oldest masters on the coast of New Zealand, having originally commanded the s.s. Wonga Wonga, and subsequently several steamers belonging to the Intercolonial Company. As an able, experienced, and courteous officer, Captain Kennedy haafew equals in New Zealand, as all who have travelled with hini will testify, and we are glad that the Manager of the" P.N.Z. '& A.R.M. -Company has been enabled to secure his services. It will be recollected that Capt. Kennedy left his former command in order to take office as Warden of the Marine Board,, and when that institution became virtually defunct he took command of the St. Kilda. We cannot think that the Government has treated some of the otficers of the Marine Board fairly, and we would recommend those who have been dismissed almost summarily, to bring their grievances under the notice of the Legislature next session. In the meantime it is well to knew that Captain Kennedy will not be thrown out of employment, although h« services have been dispensed with by tho Government. Captain Kennedy will succeed Captain Hagley in command of the Lord Ashley, the latter gentleman taking the s.b. Tararua, vice Captain Ferguson, appointed Marine Superintendent to the Panan\a Company at Melbourne. — " Wellington Advertiser," sth inst.

Protection op Engine-rooms of Steasiebs. — A correspondent of the " Montroae Standard" states that shortly after the reported loss of the London (a.), owing to the heavy suas breaking on board and getting into the enginqroom, Captain Alexander Watt, long wellknown in the Baltic Trade, called on Mr James Jack. engineer, and manager of the Montrose Foundry, and showed him a contrivance which, if adopted, would render a similar catastrophe for the future next to impossible. It consists of strong iron plates, in two or^ more pieces, sliding in suitable grooves under the deck planking. These he proposes to open and shut by toothed racks on their under side, with pinions working into them on a shaft, to be acted ou from the deck by an ordinary winch handle, lie also suggests that the lids of the coal hunkers should be.niade with a high-threade.d screw, and screwed down on packing.