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Wellington Independent, Volume XXVI, Issue 3108, 27 January 1871, Page 2

The screw steamship Queen of the Thames, from London, arrived at Melbourne after a Bplendid passago of 54 days. She is described as being a magnificent looking ship, and in every way superior to the Great Britain. This vesßel has been advertised in our columns for aome time, and an opportunity of proceeding in her to England still presents itself by the Kangitoto, which leaves here on Saturday next. The rates of passage money are unusually low for such a class of vessel, and we understand that a large number of peisons intend proceeding from Lyttelton with the intention of going to England by her, The s.b. Go-a-head has beon purchased by a company formed at Tarunaki, and it is intended to run her from Manukau to Wellington, calling at intermediate ports. We understand she has obtained the contract for the convejance of the mails from Manukau to Raglan, thence to Waitara, New Plymouth, Opunaki, Patea, Wanganui, Sangitikei, Manawatji, and Wellington, returning by the same route. The Bervice is to be twice a tnonth. Our old friend Captain Doile, late of the Storm Bird, will take charge of tbe Go-a-head, and his knowledge of the coast, and his courtesy to passengers, will be »n additional incentive to gail in his vessel, We understand that the Gb-a-head lias been thoroughly overhauled, repainted, and decorated, and her accommodation for "passengers is equal to any boat of her class on the coast. H.M. steamships Olio, Commodore Stirling, and Virago, Captain Murray, from Auckland, arrived in this harbor yesterday afternoon. They left Auckland on the 21st insfc., and have experienced fine weather during the passage. His Excellency the Governor is a passenger by the Virago. We underetaud that his Excellency will remain in Wellington about six days, when he will proceed South, visiting Mil ford Sound, Martin's Bay, and the various settlements on the West Coast of the Middlo Island. The 8.8. Gothenburg, Captain Pearce, left Hobeon's Bay at 3.30 p.m. on the 14th inst, and cleared the Heads at 7.30; passed Swan Island at 4.20 p.m. next day ; experienced variable winds throughout ; passed the Solander ot 4 p.m. on the 19th, and arrived at tin* Bluff at 11 p.m. same day ; discharged cargo, and) sailed at 4 p.m. on the 20th, and arrived at Port Chalmers ut 7 a.m. on the 21st ; left for Lyttelton at 4.15 p.m. on the 23rd ; arrived at 12.40 p.m. on the 24th ; loft Lyttel ton at 4 p.m. on the 25th, and arrived in this harbor at 1 p.m. yesterday. Tho Gothenburg sailed last night for Melbourne via tho West, Coast* The Governor touched at Mercury Bay, Hick's Bay, and Tologa Bay, and had . entisfactory weetingß with natives at those places. ■ The French barque Wueva Penelope, with about 300 coolies on board, left Macao for Callao on the 4th October. She had a crew, exclusive of officers of 18 men. On tho 10th, when about 150 miles to the southward of the Ladrones, the emigrants rose, murdered the captain and mate, and all hands except six who were spared to navigate the ship into port; The watch on deck were all killed except two, who were in the rigging at the time. Some females who were on board at the time were thrown into the water and drowned. Six of tho watch below were spared, and oompelled to work the ship into the harbor of Tinpaok, where she now lies at anchor. ■The news arrived at Macao on the 24th. About 30 of the coolies left the vessel, the remainder are still on board. The charterers of tho ship, we learn, purpose sending a steamer to tow her back to Macao. The coolies who remain on board are said to declare that they were deceived by the representations made to induce them to emigrate. — "China Mail."