Captain Cooper Springs A Surprise.

I well remember on one occasion, I believe in 1867, boarding the Alice Cameron during a black nor'-easter at about 9 p.m. off the Queen Street wharf. Captain Carter, who was in command, said: "the Kate started two hours after us,"page 14 and rubbing his hands with a smile, he added, "you will not see Cooper for two or three days. We rounded the North Cape just as the N.E. gale started, and we did not sight land again until we got a glimpse of the Barrier; dirty weather all along the coast." To my surprise, at about 11 p.m., Captain Cooper, of the Kate, made his appearance at the office to hand in his report. He left Sydney two hours after the Alice, and dropped anchor about two hours after her in Auckland Harbour. Two years later, on December 6, 1869, the Kate collided with an unknown vessel at sea, and was sunk.

The Auckland-built barque Novelty was also a clipper, and made consistent fast passages from Sydney to Auckland. Her best run was six days 16 hours, and

Barque Kate.

on two other occasions she made the passage in between seven and eight days. The beautiful little barque was launched from Messrs. Niccol and Sons' yard, Mechanics' Bay, just about where the railway arch leading to Parnell now stands. the Novelty made one fast voyage to London, and accomplished the run out in 92 days from the Lizard.

The name of Mr. H. Niccol, the builder of the barque Novelty, was inseparably connected with the early history of the shipping industry in Auckland. He turned out many large and fast sailers from his yards in Mechanics' Bay. Later Mr. Niccol shifted across to the North Shore. In 1866 he erected a patent slip, and it was big enough to take a 1000-ton ship. Mr. Malcolm Niccol, who was for many years secretary of the Grand Lodge of the New Zealand Constitution of Freemasons, and is still living in Auckland, is a son of the builder of the barque Novelty.