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Wellington Independent, Volume XVII, Issue 1845, 21 March 1863, Page 3

The " Chrysolite," — It is very rarely that the citizens or Wellington lia-ro ouoh « fino vooooi, or one of such large tonnage, in their harbor, as the Chrysolite, Captain Mclntyre, which arrived here 'some weeks ago from Canterbury. Through the courtesy of Captain Mclntyre, we had an opportunity, lately, of going on board and personally in specting her from stem to stern. The Chrysolite is a nearly new ship, and was built in the beginning of 1859, iv New Brunswick, by the celebrated firm of Messrs Wright and Co., for her present owners Messrs. Potter, Wilson & Co. She is 1130 tons register, and 2000 burden, and a model of strength and symmetry. The 'tween decks are large and roomy, the height being about 9 feet, and her sides are of massive beech. The hold is at present being stowed with wool, the ballast in it being five feet in depth. She is capable of carrying 4000 bales of wool. There is a magnificent poop, affording excellent accommodation for a promenade, and with a staircase leading to the after cabins and Btate-room. There are two after cabins, comfortably fitted up, each measuring 12 by 13 feet, and forward from this is the state-room, which has 24 side berths, each measuring 9 feet by 0, and suitable for either one or two inmates. These berths have both port holes and dead lights, which secure abundance of light and ventilation, and would compare favourably with similar accomodation in any of the London and Melbourne liners. The dining saloon is a handsome apartment measuring 40 feet by 12, and is lighted from above by a Bky light. The comfort and convenience of passengers are materially enhanced by the staircase at the after end of the state-room, which besides enabling them to reach the poop deck in bad weather without going out by the stateroom doors, also leads into a snug smoking room, built on the poop, where devotees of the nicotian weed, may indulge in their favourite luxury. The cabin is also fitted up with stewards pantry, closets, and eTory other convenience, that will be found in first class passenger ships. Twenty-five passengers or upwards could be accommodated in the saloon, and a house on deck between the main and foremasts intended for the use of the petty officers, has ample space for 12 second cabin passengers. Abaft the foremast, and adjoining the cook's galley, is a large Normanby fresh water distilling apparatus, capable of making 500 gallons of fresh water in 24 hours. The sea water is pumped up through a pipe leading from the bow, enters the boiler, and then passes in the form of steam into the condenser ; where it becomes liquid, and after flowing through a filter is received into the tank below. The water, which we tasted, is pure, limpid, and devoid of the slightest disagreeable flavour. Captain Mclntyre has already made one voyage toMelbourne, andtno voyages to Canterbury in command of the Chrysolite, in all of which he has made excellent runs both outward bound and home. On his last voyage to Canterbury he brought out 26 cabin passengers, and 230 of other classes, the latter being Government emigrants. On this occasion the Provincial Government expressed the highest satisfaction at the manner in which Captain Mclntyre had attended to thw'r comfort and well being during the voyage, while the passengers themselves gave public expression to their sense of his kindness, by addressing a testimonial letter to him , Nor was this an isolated case, as on previous voyages, his passengers have invariably spoken in high terms of him, and doubtless the reputation thus acquired by Captain Mclntyre, who is well known in nearly all the province* of New Zealand, will serve as an inducement to those of our fellow settlers hero who intend visiting Europe, to take passage in the vessel under his command. We understand that the ChTysolite will be ready for sea in th» course of a month from this. The brig Thames, Capt. McKellar, from Newcastle. N.S.W., arrived in this harbour yesterday afternoon, after a passagejof 16 days. She brings 250 tons coal, and is consigned to Mr J. Dranafield. The ship that was signalled on Thursday last, has proceeded on her voyage. She was in sight of the pilot Btatiou, from 9 a.m., to 4 p.m. She came from the westward, through the Straits, and proceeded to the eastward, and is supposed to be lj a homeward bound vessel from the Australian ;g colonies. She was a very large ship ; the wind was light outside the heads, but there was a very high sea.

The s.s. Storm Bird, left Wellington on Saturday at 4.30, p.m., arrived at Castle Point on Sun- . day, at 8 a.m., left same day at 1 p.m. and ar- , rived at Napier, on Monday, at 5 a.nr. Left Napier on Wednesday at 4,45 p.m., and arrived off Castle point at noon, on Thursday, but on account of a heavy south-easter, it was impossible to land ; proceeded on, and arrived^in Wellington on Friday, at 4.30 a.m. The Barque George Canning, from England via Nelson, arrived at Napier on Tuesday afternoon last. A slight shock of earthquake was felt at Napier on Wednesday last, at 4 a.m. The Storm Bird brings no mail, having waited three-quarters of an hour beyond her advertised time of sailing, when, as there was no appearance of its being sent on board, she was obliged to leave.