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Southland Times, Volume III, Issue 16, 14 December 1863, Page 2

The Ruby, s.s. got under way about. 3.30 a.m. Sunday, 13'h instant, and took the mail and passengers for Melbourne, down to the Pilot Station, awaiting the Ifcro, s.s. being signalled, when it whs the intention of Captain Fraser to put to sea fo meet tho Hero, least she should treat us like the Gothenburg. Several passengers preferred goin 2 by boats, therefore several held themselves in readiness, but the Hero up to 6 p.m, had not been sighted. The Ruby landed her passengers and mails at fc'ic Pilot Station, and went round to lnvercarg ill about twelve noon to-day. The Omco, s.s. left Melbourne on Saturday, slh instant, arriving at the Bluff about 4 a m. on the morr.in^ of Sunday, 13th instant. She brings a mail for Southland. The splendid screw steamer Hero, which l-tely made one of the most rapid passages -over accomplished between England and Melbourne,an-ived at Port Chalmers on Wednesday morning, completing .successfully her fn-3t passage in the Metbourne and Otago trade, in which she is now placed. T.ie liero is a large nnd handsome barque-rigge.l steamer, tuilt at Hull in ISol, by Messrs C. ami W. Earle, iron ship-builders and engine makers, <md was originally intended for the Swedish trade. She is considered the finest sea-going steamer which has ever visited Port Otago, and is as ele-gantly-fitted as she is substantial and proportionate in her build. Length, 2IS ; beam, 39 ; carrying capacity, 10QG tonß ; rate of speed fom 11 to Unknots without sail; coal consumption, from 18 to SO.tons per diem; steerage accommodation for 221 passengers; chief cabin, 92; nominal horsepower, 150. On thi* passage she brings 400 to s of cargo, with about 100 passengers, a few of the number landing at the Bluff", where she was de tamed an hour on M nday morning. The whole naFsago was made in 6£ days, the vessel having left Melbourne at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, the 2nd inst., experiencing head winds at first, theu light winds for three days, and subsequently a strong wind from the southward. For some tiuio she went at the rate of 13 knots per hour, but the coals en board, which were shipped at the C ipe, were only capable of producing a very low pressure of steam. She arrives well officered, and uncW- a well selected commander, Captain lo<jao. who has long b-e:i connected Tlitll tlie i>J"<.-">onrnc passenger tratlf, having the command ; Mr 'l'liora.=on, fonnoi-R-«f {lie ships Nor' Wester and ludi; na, beirifj eliivt' officer; and Mr Hunter, formerly Lead steward of the slcamship Great Britain, being steward. Of the vessel's passenger accommodation, the saloon nnd ladies cabins aro particular f- atures, Iho former being a spacious and elegantly furnished apartment, with pant-Is ot polished mnp'e wood, enclosing a number of oil paintings, including portraits of the King and Queen of Sweden, and views of Stockholm, Gothenburg-, and the northern cities, or of celebrated localit'cs in the Swedish interior. — T'rnus. The barque Oregon, with 175 head of cattle. from We'shpool, arrived at Port Chalmers' Heads on Monday, and was towed up in the morning. She left on the 29th, and made the Snarc3 on the sth, with fine weather. Lelt at Welshpool, load-' ing, the E-.npress Eugenic and the Bengal.