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Southland Times, Volume III, Issue 14, 9 December 1863, Page 2

The bnrque Prospector, 240 tons register, Capf. ffi/Pord, fr< in Lcith, tlie llrsl of the JForlh and New Zealand's C uipany's line of vessels to this port, cast anchor at the lower anchorasze. New llivcr, on Monday forenoon. She Lft L'ith on the 16th August, and was detained in the C.iauni-1 by contrary whirls till the Ist S •ptember, when she pnssed the L-ind's End. The c plain reports hnvirg had li^'ht and hufiling winds ncarlv the whole way, except at the Cape of Good Hope, where they encountered a rat her severe gale. She arrived at tho New RiveT ifoa.ls on the 4th inst, but was obliged to r .n over to Stewart's Island for shelter. She thus has made the run from land t<-> land in ninetv-fivo d.-vys, and is the first v ssel that has arrived from tho home country to tho New Kiver direct. She brings tweive passengprs—five adults and seven children. There has been no sickness on board during the voyage. The vessel was built at P«terhead for the trade between Britain and New Zealand. She will discharge a general cargo for this place, aud then ' proceed to Duncd'n. The barque Agnes Holt, from Melbourne, of 250 tons register, is, we understand, the first vessel of her c\ass and tonnage thafchas succeeded in c .ming alongside the Jetty. The fent was not accomplished, however, without its difficulties, but under the able management of Captain Macdonald and that of the Assistant Harbor-Master, Mr Kv'u\, she was safely beithed yesterday. She is a remarkably fine vessel, aud brings to this place a largo cargo of general merehantliso. Tnc advantage of thus being able to dispense with lighters 19 equally important to tlie merchants and the owners, as tending to reduce freight and the risk and loss which goods are subject to in transhipment into lighters ; also the great advantage in discharging and putting the consignees in possession of their goods without that delay which has hitherto occurred at this port. Altogether., the Agnes Holt is a most suitable vessel for the intercolonial trade.

The Sea Shell has made a vecy rapid passage of about seven and a halt days from Melbourne, having left on the 20th November and arrived in the New River on Monday moraing, the 7th inst. Slio would have anchored on the sth, but. was detained by the strong winds prevalent outside.