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Grey River Argus, Volume XII, Issue 1147, 2 April 1872, Page 2

The barque Kate Conley, Roberts, master, left Port Philip Heads on the 15th March, at 10 a.m, with a light easterly breeze ; cleared the Straits on the 17th with fresh south-east wind till the 20th, when she encountered a brisk gale from the east for 48 hours ; from thence to making Cascade Point on the 25th ultimo, she had moderate north-east winds ; on the 27th and 28th she encountered a heavy gale from the east-north-east to northeast with a very heavy sea, the ship laboring very maoh ; from thence to arrival off Greymouth on the Ist April, she nad calm and light baffling airs. A succession of contrary winds were experienced throughout the voyage. She spoke the schooner Gleaner outride the Port Philip Heads. She has a large general cargo, and is consigned to her owners, Glenn Bros. On New Year's Day a ceremony of remarkable interest and vaat importance was performed at the South Foreland Lighthouse, which is situated between Dover and Deal Sir Frederick Arrow and a party of gentlemen met in the engine-room of the lighthouse, when the former said that they nad met on the first day of the new year to inaugurate the change that had been effected in the system of lighting, the ordinary means of illuminating that point haying been converted into electric lights of the greatest power and brilliancy. This had boon done at a large outlay of money, labor, and skilfi which, however, had been freely beatoWed.ior. the benefit of the shipping community. He had not expected the duty

of starting the machinery to produce the new light would have devolved Jpon him, for His Royal Highness Prince, Arthur was good enough] to promise that he would perform that task ; but unfortunately, owing to a mistake he' (the ■'speaker) had made in addressing a letter, Prince Arthur was unable to fulfil . his engagement, but had desired him to express his sincere regret that he could not discharge^ duty that his Royal Highnosa considered was one of national importance. On the other side of the ' Channel stood also at Cape Grizneran eleotrio light of great power, and there now stood these towers on either hand of the Channel, truo sentiments of peaceful progress—not for watch and ward against the coming foe, but for mutually aiding and protecting the approach to each .other s, friendly shores. The completion of the works at the Foreland would form a triangle of electric lights described by those of Dungeness, Cape Griznez, and the South Foreland itself. The machinery was then put in motion by Sir Frederick Arrow, and in an instant the two light towers, distant four hundred yards from the engine-house, flashed forth a light of dazzling brilliancy. Three hearty cheers were given by the party at this successful inauguration of the new lights. The South Foreland towers are 449 yards apart, and their lights are respectively 372 and 275 feet above high water of spring tides. Buildings for the requisite machinery and apparatus for the production of the electric light have been erected midway between the two lighthouses.