TELEGRAPHIC.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 907, 22 May 1877, Page 2

TELEGRAPHIC.

INTERPROYINCIAL,

[PEE PRESS AGENCY.] Dunedin, May 22,

The Government have informed Archdeacon Edwards that they cannot meet his views in regard to continuing Mr Torrance’s services as gaol chaplain at Dunedin. Greymouth, May 22.

The Energetic crushing for five weeks give 9210 z 7dwt melted gold, and a dividend of 6s per scrip was declared.

Wreck of the Ocean Kail Further Particulars.

[FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.] Wellington, May 22

The brigantine Omaha arrived this morning from the Chathams, with the passengers and crew of the Ocean Mail. The second mate, Alex, Coleman, third mate, Win. Morrison, and Edwin Charles Tregellus, apprentice came in custody in charge of Mr R. Wright, special constable, under committal for trial at the Wellington Supreme Court on a charge of perjury committed at the official enquiry, in swearing that Ihe log was hove, which statement was afterwards proved fo be false, and admitted to be so by Tregellus. The prisoners are in Wellington gaol. The report of the chief officer, O. A. Johnston, is as follows ; —“ Passed Pencarrow Lighthouse on the 16th March at noon, the ship Avalanche having passed at 6 a.m. Tire wind was ]S T .W. and light with fine calm weather. Overhauled the Avalanche at 8 a.m. the following morning. Captain Watson went on board at 10 a.m. and remained till 1 p.m. When trying to haul (he boat alongside to gel in it was stove, and both ships had (o heavc-lo till the Avalanche sent her boat with our crew and boat in tow. Next morning the wind veered in (o S.E. and continued uni il the night of the 21st (nautical time) when after been caught aback twice, the wind veered suddenly to S.W., accompanied with heavy

min and blowing very hard. At 11. p.m. C. A. Pounson (first mute’s watch) called all hands and furled the top-gallant sails, crossjack, and mainsail, and hauled the outer jibbooni, the wind still increasing. At about 2 a.m. (second mate’s watch), Mr Coleman called the mate and all hands and furled the three upper topsails, and hauled the foresail up in the gear, the inner jib being carried away. At about ■1 a.m. the third mate called the captain, the male saying that the ship was nearly ashore, llraccd (be bead yards aback, and finding the ship would not go astern, tried to pass between the reel on our lee and the shore. When forging ahead about a couple of ship’s lengths she became encaged in a bed of solid rock, known as part of the French reef, between Matauka and Taupeka points. After sounding the pumps some time the carpenter reported sft. of water in the bold. Proceeded to get out the boats, and commenced landing passengers and stores all day till the surf became so heavy that we could not gel. off. Wo carried most of the moveables a short distance in (lie bush. Unlit tents and all hands remained there, excepting the passengers and the captain, who went to the house of a Maori about two miles from the wreck. For two or three days succeeding, trial was made to get o ff to the ship, but could not owing to (ho surf, nearly losing one man in the attempt. On the following Monday a survey was held by Messrs Oeecley and Jacobs, accompanied by Captain Watson, C-. A. Johnston, mate; Coleman, second mate ; and four bands. The vessel and cargo were sold to Mr Eitchie, a runbolder, for £915. A N.W. wind carried away the main and mizzen masts close to the deck, the poop, bulwarks, and everything on deck, except the house and forecastle. An inquiry was held at Matauka before Mr Leighton, E.M., and the Collector of Customs, Messrs Chudloigh and Patterson, J.P.’s, and Captain Morgan, of the schooner Agnes, ending in the captain’s certificate being suspended for nine months, and those of the mate and second mate for six months, for not heaving the log. The ship’s position at noon preceding the wreck on our chart (one of Imraig’s) was about 25 miles west of the island, and heading, till about 10.30, E. half IV. to E.IV.E., when wo should have been to the northward and eastward of it, but on comparing our chart with the surveys of the Transit of Venus expedition and of the man-of-war Sapphire, the position was 14 miles W. and 1 mile S. of the 1 rue position. The passengers were Mr Cotton, Miss Harrison, and Mr Nathan, who left the Chatham Islands on Friday, the 18th of May, by the schooner Omaha. [PEE PEESS AGENCY.] It appears from accounts given by officers of the Ocean Mail that after passing Pencarrow heads on the IGth, the weather was very thick for several days until the morning of the 21st, when during the second mate’s watch sail was shortened. About 4 a.m. the third mate called captain, saying the ship was nearly ashore. Every endeavour was made to work her off but unavailing, and she struck on a bed of solid rock known as [the French reef between Mabaranaka, and Taupeka points. The pumps wore sounded with live feet of water in the bold. The boats wore got out, and the passengers landed, and stores and others things taken into the bush, until the surf became too heavy. The reef is about half a mile from the shore. The following Monday a survey was held and the wreck sold to Mr Eitchie. A private letter from the Chathams says the weather was very thick and dark when the vessel came ashore, and had been so for several days. Mr Eitchie lias recovered between 400 and 500 bales of wool; and about 100 casks of tallow came ashore one night. The letter says it was fortunate the night was smooth, or all hands would have been drowned.

It was stuted this morning.by the representative of the New Zealand Shipping Company in the presence of Captain Watson, and uncontradicted, that the greatest possible indescrction lias been shown as to the disposal of the wreck and cargo ; that no publicity whatever was given of the day of sale, that the wreck, with the boats and gear, were sold five days after the vessel went ashore for £6OO, and on the following day the cargo, valued at £IOO,OOO, was sold for £315. A protest, signed by all the principal residents at Waitangi, lias been sent to the insurance offices interested, urging that the sale was entirely illegal, and that it should be held again. It is considered probable that other questions may arise to test the legality of the sale. Even the £9l-5 has not yet been paid over, Resides the -400 bales of wool saved, the whole coast for miles is strewn with wool, which is being collected. The vessel broke in two ten days ago.