A TELEGRAM was received yesterday from the harbour-master at Russell announcing that a large vessel, apparently a steamer disabled, had passed the Bay of Islands between six and nine o'clock, under canvas, but occasionally shewing smoke as if steam ing slowly. The information was commu nicated by the Hon. Mr Whitaker and the Chairman of the Harbour Board, both of whom received telegrams, to Messrs Owen and Graham, agents for the mail line, and arrangements were made to send out the Wanaka to render any assistance necessary. The Wanakn left harbour a little after mid night, with Capt. Burgess, representatives of the agcntß, and two or three other gen tlemen on board. Favored by a S.E. breeze she sped away at her best speed in the direc tion of Tiri Tiri. Captain Malcolm made every possible arrangement for the comfort of bis passengers, and as it was not probable anything would' be seen of the disabled steamer before daylight, nearly every one turned in, the skipper and Mr McGillivray, the mate, keeping a trood look out. Nothing of note took place till a. few minutes before five, when just as the first streaks of dawn were beginning to appear, the mate re ported a large vessel right ahead. The Wanaka was between Point Rodney and the Little Barrier when the approaching vessel wns made out to bo the mail steamer. The word was passed bolow, and in less ikiuvtoii minutes there was a general turn out to sec what vas to ijc seen. :ivrn>Kitij~ »,, wide turn the Wanaka ran up under thn port quarter of the City of Sydney, and when near enough the speaking trumpet was used to inquire if any assistance was wanted. No answer was vouchsaved, nor did the big boat shew any indications of pulling up. The ensign was run up at the Wanaka's foremast head to denote that the pilot was on board, but no notice appeared to betaken. The two steamers ran alongside one another for.some miles. At one time the City appeared to "easy," and a boat was lowered, but directly the Union Company's boat stopped it was seen that the other was still under weigh, and the boat was hauled up again. Nothing appeared to ail the large steamer as far as her appearance went. 