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Grey River Argus, Volume VI, Issue 385, 2 July 1868, Page 2

A friendly trial of speed took place last evening between the two first-class steamtors John Perm and Charles Edward, on the rua from Hokitika to this port. The fact tbat the race would take place was telegraphed to town in the afternoon, and the result was waited for with some interest, About 8 p.m. the lights of both steamers were seen off the bar, and they crossed the bar within a few minutes of each other. Tbe John Perm was moored before the Charles Edward passed on her way up to the wharf, and the crew of the successful boat cheered lustily as their rival passed. We are informed that the Edward was two mi!es.a«head when the Perm crossed the Hokitjka bar, so that the race ■was clearly woivlra.fr the Edward ia heavily laden, having about fifty tons r^Lcargo on board. The 'Penn ran the distance in two hours and five minutes. The, B.S. John Perm, Captain Carey, arrived last evening at 8 p.m. from Nelson via Hokitika. She left Nelson at 4 a.m. on Sunday last, with tbe barque Kate Waters, bound for Auckland, in tow, which she did not dron until close up to the Sandspit. She arrived off the Bnller bar at 2 a m. on Monday, and shortly afterwards entered the river, and during the day discharged a large cargo of sheep, cattle, and produce. Her departure was delayed until Tuesday morning at 5 o'clock ; called off Charleston and Fox's, and arrived at Hokitika at 5 p.m., where she landed ?1990a of gold, shipped at Westport andrf ox's. Last evening she left again and arrived here 98 above. She will leave this afternoon for Weetport, Nelson, and the Auckland gold fields. B Thep.s. Charles Edward, Captain Palmer, arrived in tbe river a few minutes after tbe Jobn Perm last night. She left Nelson on Monday afternoon, and after a fine run down arrived at Westport on the following afternoon, and left again tbe same evening, arrivT ing off Hokitika at daylight yesterday morning. She left again the same evening, and arrived as above. She will discbarge a large cargo of produce and sheep to-day, and will leave this evening for Westport and Nelson. Last evening the p. 8. Persevere left for Hokitika with the cutter Flora Macdonald in tow, both having cargoes of coal. The B.S. Kennedy left for Westport and Nelson on Tuesday evening, taking a large number of passengers. The Panama Company's s.b. Airedale is announced to leave this port to-day, conveying the Panama mails aud passengers to Wellington, to he transhipped into tbe ocean steamer. The Airedale will also take passengers for all New Zealand ports and Melbourne. Passengers wishing to proceed to the Auckland gold fields will do well to notice tbat this boat U the last which will leave for that destination for about a month.