COAL HULKS.

Wellington Independent, Volume XV, Issue 1413, 20 March 1860, Page 2

COAL HULKS.

Daniel Wcfts'c, 4>o m ••» f.- Oransfieiil, Agent Jt'isuhud, 7« ton«, I D-ansfisld, Agent. Gul donia, SO ion*. .1. IVan-fi^ld, \Etent Indian, 400 tons. I. O. R .Vf. Company, Agents,

Tbe brigantine Margaret Thompson, Captain Kensett, from Melbourne the 29th February, arrived in this harbour on Sunday last, after a rather protracted passage of 19 days. She experienced light contrary winds, which retarded her passage. We understand that she has been purchased by the owners of the Mimmie Dike, who infend running her as a regular tracer between Melbourne and Canterbury, calling at Wellington both going and coming. She is a fine brig, and one, we think, very suitable for the trade she has been placed in. She brings a few passengers and a full cargo of merchandise. Cantain Kensett, has polit-ly favoured us with a file of Melbourne papers, extracts from which will be found elsewhere. River Steamer. — A minature paddle weel steamer, built of iron, the property (we understand) and wailed by Captain Kreeft, formerly of the hvigantine Marchioness, arrived in harbour froniiNelson where she has been for some time employed, on Wednesday eveninsr a little before dark. The stranger named the Emu, was built on the Yarra Yarra, in the most substantial manner, plying for some time above the Falls, but latterly to William's Town, from whence her services where transferred to Nelson, and now to Auckland, with the view of iinoroving our ferry and river traffic. In pursuit of this object she hag proved herself to be a staunch and gallant boat, taking into account the extent and character of the seas she has securely traversed : she was 12 days on her passage from Nelson whence she took her departure on the 24th ult.. experienced some very severe weather ami, on more than one occasion, being under the necessity of blowing off her steam and heaving to. After touching at Napier to coal, she resumed her course, and after bravely buffeting the angry billows arrived, all well, alongside the Queen-street Wharf, as we have already stated. Since then the Emu has been on the hard in Official Bay where her bottom has been cleaned and painted and everything made snug and Hhip-shape. No time has been lostin placing heron the line for which she is supposed to be adanted. A reference to our advertising pages will show that she starts at different hours during this day ("Saturday) to Stokes Point and the Pilot Station North Shore on Pleasure Excursions, for the enjoyment of which she affords facilities hitherto unknown. We heartily wish success to the Emu and her spirited proprietor. We learn that she possesses good speed, and her passenger accommodations are almost marvellous considering her dimensions. — New '/jeulandrr, Ma v ch 10. Her Majesty's chip Pelorus left Hobson's Bay, on the 27th February, for Geelong, for tho purpose of exercising her crew and for shot and Bhell practice. H. M. S. Iris, from Auckland, arrived at Sydney on the 2fith February. The brigantina Ariel, Captain White, is advertised in the "Argus" of the 28th ult., for Nelson and Wellington, to meet with quick. ■ despatch.

The brig Fanny, one of the New Zealand lino of packets, is advertised for Wellington, Nelson, and Otago, to sail on the 29th February. A ship is also laid on for New Zealand, offering cheap passages to persons desirous of coming to this colony.

The non-amval of the ship Burmah, at Lyttelton, is creating much anxiety for her safety. The Burmah, chartered by Messrs. Willis, Gavin, aud Co., left St. Katherine's Dock on the '.6th of August, with the largest quantity of stock on board ever Rhipped for this colony, composing a thoroughbred colt by Kingston, four thoroughbred fillies, and a thoroughbred mare, all shipped by "W. Harris, Esq. Also, four Clydesdale stallions, two Clydesdale mares, two Yorkshire stallions, and an entire colt of the same breed. Th^piorned stock on board comprised four Ayrshire bulb and two heifeirs. One of the Clyde vlale horses and a mare, and the short horned bull nnd two heifers, were shipped on account of Mr. C. Elliott, of Nelson, and the horse was considered one of the finest that ever left Scotland. The Burmah was spoken by the Regina, in long. 97 dog. E., and lat. 48 deg. S. on the 17th November, ; the lat. ter vessel reaching Lyttel ton on the 4th December. The Regina passed icebergs the day after she passed the Bunnah. — Selsmi Examiner, January 25.

Tho magnificent screw steamship Great Britain arrived in Hobson's Bay at 10 p. in. an Sunday, Feb. 5, bringing English news to the 11th December. The Great Britain left Liverpool on the 11th December, crossed the equator on the 28th of December, in long. 20° 47* W., leaving oceotnplished an average speed of 223 miles a day. From the 28th December to the lGth of January an average speed of. 266 miles per day was at tamed; and from the 16th of January to tbe sth of February the average speel was 326 miles. The passage from the Rock Light to Port Phillip Heads was performed in fifty -five days sixteen hours, thus competing AYith the Simlah for the honour of having made the quickest passage on record, the difference in time being about an hour. The time the Great Britain was under steam alone was eight days, eleven hours ; under sail, thirty-one days, eighteen houis; and steam anrl sail together, fifteen day.s and eleven hours. The Great Britain is still un'dor the command of Captain John Gray, a gentleman well known in these colonies, as connected with this line of packets. On the termination of the present voyage all the passengers, 33 i in number, expressed themselves in high terms of the conduct of Captain Gray, towards the;n during the passage; and asamore substantial mark of their friendship presented him with a purse of sovereigns. A quantity of game and song birds have arrived by this vessel. There were shipped at Liverpool : 41 thrushes, 55 larks, and 24 pheasants, out of this number 3 thrushes, 7 larks, and 13 pheasants died during tho passage. — Melbourne Herald.