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Grey River Argus, Volume V, Issue 336, 10 March 1868, Page 2

Tbes.s. Gothenburg tired h.er gun at a quarter to nine o'clock on Saturday evening, and was promptly tendered by the p. s. Persevere, which tpp}t out to her seventy passengers, bound Queeusjandwards. TLe transhipment having been safely accomplished ' the Gothenburg proceeded on to Hokitika. She brought about twpnty passengers for this port. She returned to the roadstead yesterday afternoon, and shipped 3035 ozs. gold, exported by the Bank of New Zealand, after which sJie tppk her departure for Melbourne. The Melbourne Argus of the 24th ult, says that a new screw steamer, named the John Fenn, lately arrived from London, is undergoing an overhaul prior to her departure for the West Coast of Jicw Zealand, where she is to be stationed. The Argus gives the following description of the steamer :— Of all the steam vessels pf her class which have come out to these waters there is not one, perhaps which possesses so many desirable characteristics for the trade in which she is to be engaged ; and her owner, Mr W. Johnson, of Mewlmrn-park, Gipps Land, may be fairly congratulated on the success of his enterprise so far. Although intended for the fat cattle trade pn the west coast of New Zealand, she will not be confined exclusively to that traffic, for the has also been fitted up - with a due record to tbe conveyance of passengers, and her saloon accommodation, in its entire equipment, combines not merely comfort and elegance, but positive luxury, and indicates that no paius or expense have |»en spared to render her a most desirable vessel for voyages on the route where she is to be placed. Nor has her fore cabin been neglected to the advantage of the saloon, the apartment being lofty and well ventilated, and fitted np with all the requirements that will certainly make her a favorite with the West Coast diggers. The John Perm is a line model of a boat, and besides her symmetry of outline, she unites considerable carrying capacity on a light draught of water with a high rate of speed. She was designed and her specifications were also prepared I y Captain R. Johnson, of Wellington, Government inspector of steamers in New Zealand, and the steamer herself was built at the Vorks of the Thames Iron Slup Building Company, the engines being furnished Y>y the emiuont linn of John Perm and Co. The "work of construction was carried on under the supervision of Captain W. H. Meikleham, who has introduced several capital improvements. The dimensions of the steamer are as follows : — Length, 140 f t; beam, 22ft 6in ; depth of hold, 7ft Din, and she can carry 200 tons deadweight on a draught of water of 6ft. She i-< especially intended for the bar harbors pn the west cpas^ of New Zealand, and her light tirau^ht of water will enable her to do this with case and safety. She is a 1 so iitted with a centre-board twelve feet in lengtl', with a drop of f>ix feet, and there are water tanks fore ant! aft for trimming hor as occasion may require. On her deck she can carry thirty-six head of cattle without overcrowding, and as her ports of call for the present wul be comprised within 24 hours' atiam•^ing, tiie stock will be landed in prime couri'* " *tion. She is propelled by twin-screws, driven by two pair of horizontal direct acting engines of fifty-horse power nominal, but capable of being worked up to 300-horsc power, and the rate pf speed obtained is from ten to ten and a half knots an hour pn a cdnbnniption of tight tons of coal per day. Amongst other improvements there in likewise a handy little steam-winch to facilitate the taking iii and discharging of cargo. The saloon occupies the whole width of the vessel, and can accommodate thirty-eight passengers, an d tne ssetsi ' ts arc » ''y an "'g emous device of Captain Meikkhan>'s>, !•<> arranged that Bleeping accomniudaiion can in a few minutes' be provided for the full complement of passengers. 'Jhe ladies' cabin is at the entrance to the saloon, in order that the fair sex may net be inconvenienced by the vibration of the screw prcpelicrs. Convenient lavatories are fitted up in both cabins, and even to the very pantries everything points to forethought and liberality in design and <mtlay, ami from stem to stern this handy steamer may be considered a succesr.