TRIAL TRIP OF THE KEERA.

West Coast Times, Issue 1003, 9 December 1868, Page 2

TRIAL TRIP OF THE KEERA.

The screw-steamer Keera made her trial trip on Saturday, to the satisfaction, we believe, of those concerned in connection with the boat, and of her owners. The Keera Btarted from the Pelicht 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 Pelicbet Bay jetty, where the passengers were landed about five o'clock. The engines irorked stiffly, as might have . been expected, and the boiler primed a good deal. One result was that between 1 6lb and 17lb was the highest pressure of steam used ; j 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 the engines, k:., 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. Amongst the others present were Messrs K.B. Martin, C. Stewart, J. Davie, J. L. Butterworth, G. Duncan, A. Carrick, E. M'Glashan, E. Hamilton, Captain M'Kinnon, Captain Dickie, Deputy Harbor Master; Captain Holmes, of the Wellington; Captain Hutchinson; Messrs Went worth, Eliot. Ward, Watt, R. Wilson, Hodgkins, Houghton, &c. Messrs Kincaid and M'Queen were on board, as was Mr A. Melville; and and on board, 100, were all those who had been employed in connection with the steamer, and many of their wives, daughters. &c. Soon after Port Chalmers had been left, on the outward trip, luncheon was partaken of in the cabin and the spacious fore-hold. The latter place was decorated with flowers and branches, and was fitted with table-space for about fifty guests, so that luncheon there was taken in two divisions. Before beginning, Mr A. Giiles said that he had promised, on behalf of himself and his partners, to give a treat to the workmen employed on the Lioness, and to their " sweethearts and wives." The state of the tide prevented the promise being kept at that time ; and the present opportunity had been taken for giving the promised treat. He wished to say that the owners were exceedingly well pleased with the way in which the alterations and ropairu had been made ; and also with the increase in the speed of the bo:il. During the three years aud a half he had been connected with steamboats in Otago, Carey and Gillcn, with his friends, the Messis Bulleu, bad spent £11,000 in repairs ai:d improvements to boats. (Cheers.) That money had, to a large extent, gone into th« pockets of those whom he was addressing, ami had helped to maintain their wives and families. The works to which he referred were, he calculated, equivalent to keeping GO first-class workmen fully employed for twelve months. The success he ( Mr Gillies) had attained in the steamboat working had been iv a great degree owing to the honesty, tho skill, and the industry of the now euginei-r of this boat, Mr Kenneth Nasmith. (Cheers.) Those to whom he (Mr Gilles) was speakiug would be glad to know, that as he bad progressed, tit 'lfomttb hwi prpgifcsi4f *u<l f^i Nf

Nusmtih now, apart firotn other means, was the independent owner fcf one^eigth share of the Star of tfie South— (Loud applause.) Mr Gilles referred to Mr E. Hamilton j Messrs Kincaid, M'Queen and Co ; Mr A. Melville ; Mr Richard Connell ; and to the second mate of the Keera— thankiug each for work done in connection with the lengthening and otherwise improving the boat. He concluded by proposing " Success to the Keera," which was very heartily drunk. Subsequently, in the cabin, Mr Watt proposed " Success to the Keera, and health to her owners, and to Captain Joyce." In responding, Mr Gillies said that Ids 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 hare been pot off, but which wasn't. That was a loss. (Hear, hear.) Then he invested in the William Miskin ; and one boat led to another, until he and others, with whomhe was interested,had expended £1 1,000 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 waut to take her away. If he could so make her answer, she should run permanently during the summer months betweeu Port'Chalmers and Lyttelton, calling at intermediate ports ; during the winter months, shn 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 the trade. But she was suited for the trade— suited for it by her draft of water, her capacity, her speed, and her accommodation ; and he could not suppose that she would not . receive a fair share of support. (Hear, hear.) 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.— A' Z. Sun, Nov. 30th.