PORT OF LYTTELTON.

Southland Times, Issue 662, 26 April 1867, Page 2

PORT OF LYTTELTON.

BATT.BT). April 25th, 1 p.m.— Airedale, s.s., for Dunedin.

The s.s. Lord Ashley left Greymouth on the 23rd inst., and Hokitiki the day following. Passed cloae to a large black boat, waterlogged, shortly after- leaving the latter place, but no name was visible. Had light variable winds all the way, and heavy swell from the southward. Arrived at Bluff at 11 a.m. on the 25th, and sailed again for Dunedin Bame afternoon. The p.s. Southland returned to port on the 4th inst, having accomplished a first and very successful trip on the West Coast. Whatever misgivings may have been entertained concerning her capabilities asa " goer " are effectually removed by her performance on this occasion. She has certainly proved herself a clipper, and that the Southland people should have so underrated her is one of those mysteries that defy solution. They paid dearly for their whistle, and when tired of their plaything parted with it at a proportionably cheap rate, but we venture to assert that it will yet emit such music as will fill with astonishment- the very indifferent performers who first essayed its powers. Let the foUowing facts speak for themselves. The p.s. Southland cast off from the wharf at 7.15 p.m. on the 3rd inst, and cleared the bar at 7.22 p.m. She then headed northwards, and at 9.7 p.m. was abreast the Grey har, having run the distance of twenty-two miles in lh. 45m. against a fresh, north breeze, and at midnight rounded to outside Woodpecker Bay, at a distanced- nearly sixty -.miles from her starting point, which thus gives her rate of steaming at eleven knots fully. She anchored, and at daylight ran. into Woodpecker Bay and landed passengers and cargo, afterwards pushing on for Pakihi, where she : transhipped passengers and cargo into boats, and then left on her return at 9 a m. on the 4th and arrived at Fox's at 9.30 a.m. Lay there until 3.15 p.m., when she started for head quar- .- ters, and reached the roadstead at 8 p.m., crossing the bar an hour later.—" Hokitika Leader," 12th"inst. .7 7.7 "".. '"...” 7"~