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Grey River Argus, Volume V, Issue 360, 5 May 1868, Page 2

The heavy rains which fell during Friday nnd the following night had the effect of greatly increasing the volumq of the river, which on Saturday poured seawards a heavy flood, rendering the bar impassable, and there were consequently no shipping 1j- msactions to record. But overhead the day was beautifully fine — magnificent sunshine tempered by gentle searbreezes— which was followed by two days of as lovely weather as we ever saw on the Coast. Consequently, there were several arrivals and departures on these days, as the bar was in splendid condition for woi king— smooth, straight, and deep. The s.s. Kennedy arrived at 9 p.m. last night from Hokitika, and will leave again on her return northern trip to Nelson this morning, calling at the intermediate ports. The p.B. Dispatch left the river at 9 o'clock list night for a praise outside. The Panama Company's branch mail steamer Airedale arrived off this port late on Sunday evening, and was tendered by the p.s. Persevere yesterday morning. Passengers and cargo were transhipped and the Airedale steamed away to Nelson, while the tug returned to port, landing four passengers. TheP.,N.Z. and A.R.M. Co's s.s. Claud Hamilton, John Vine Hall, commander, left Sandridge Pier at 2 p. in. of the 21st, cleared the Heads at 5.30 p.m., passed Swan Island at 5.30 p.m. on 22nd. eXperienced fresh N.W. winds till 25th, when it blew a strong gale from W.S W. with hard squalls and a heavy sea. At 2 p.m. on 26th passed the Solander ; at Bp. m. slowed the engines. Arrived alongside the wharf at the Bluff at 7 a.m. on the 20th, sailed same day at 3.30 p.m., and arrived at Port Chalmers early next morning. Left again on 29th at 5 p.m., arrivfd at Lyttelton at 9 a.m. on the 30th, thus making & smart run of only 16 hours. Cleared Port Cooper Heads at 1 am. on the l%t, but in consequence of the heavy northrwest gale did not reach Wellington till 1 a.m. on the following day. Discharged •argo for Northern ports and took her departure at 7.15 a.m. on the 3rd ; had fine weather and light winds throughout the pasBage, and arrived off this port about 4.30 yesterday afternoon, when she was immediately tendered by the p.s. Perseven, which transhipped into her 10 passengers for Melbourne. The s.s Murray arrived in the river late ou Sunday afternoon from Westport and Nelson. She left Nelson on Tuesday last, and made a long trip down owing to the heavy westerly ■weather which prevailed, which delayed her rounding the Farewell Spit for some days. She got down the coast easily, reaching Westport on Saturday morning, where she landed a quantity of cargo and passengers. Left the same evening, and arrived here as above, bringing a large cargo of general produce. She sailed again last evening for Fox's, Buller, Nelson, and Wongnnni, w-hence she will load cal-fle for West; Coast ports, having been chartered to run three trips. In our last we recorded the stranding of the p.s. Lioness at the Mokihinui, and we are happy to say that later advices, y\&c Murray, statp that she had got off safely, has been repaired, and arrived at Westport on Fri(iay morning last. The local paper, ooxf x Saturday, saya :• The Lioness returned to Westport yesterday morning, having been relieved frpm her unpleasant position, and rendered sound and seaworthy again, after her late accident. Shp was to have towed the Nightingale out yesterday, but the weather looked too unsettled, and the latter's departure was therefore delayed. We are glad to say that the favprite old tug has sustained no serious damage whatever, and sinperely hope that such a misadventure will no befall her again pu the Coast TherelieyipgshiptoH.M.S. Falcpn, which was cruising otf this coast a few days ngo, has arrived at Sydney. She is named the Rosari, and was built in 1861, and although comparatively a small ship, carries very heavy metal. Her armanieiit consist; of three guns— two 40I minder Armstrongs, and one rifled muzzle loader of 6-4 tons. She has on board a coni--1 lement of 125 men, together with the following of licers :— Commander, G. Palmer; F. ?,|. Gordon, first lieutenant; F. G. M. Powell, second lieutenant ; B. S. Jackson, navigating lieutenant; Dr T. Rourk, surt e«.n; I). H. W. Whiehelo, paymaster (}.

Moore, Hon. Binghani, sub-lieutenants ; Mr Walsh, chief engineer. From reference to the log of the Kaikoura, the Wellington Pod finds that she performed the distance from Panama to Wellington in (323 hours, averaging J()?| knots to Rapa and 10} from thence to Wellington. The contract, time with the Government for delivery ()f mails is, we understand, (klO hours ; and we therefore presume that Captain Darke will have the proud distinction of having been the lirst tv entitle the Panama Company to demand from the New Zealand Government find that of New South Wales a gratuity' of LI OO or more for having performed the voyage 11111 Uj? contract time.