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Grey River Argus, Volume IX, Issue 622, 13 January 1870, Page 2

The s.s. John Perm is announced to sail positively to-morrow afternoon for Westport;, Nelson and the Manukau. When the river commenced to rise on Tuesday morning grave apprehensions were entertained =ibout the brig Sarah, as she still remained fast npon the Nelson spit, in the river. This fear compelled the harbor master to be abroad all night, and this was fortunate for the brig, as. Captain Allardyce, seeing the rapidity of the river v took precautionary measures for her safety, by arousing Captain Dear, an.l getting steam up on the Dispatch. At 3 a.ip. the brig was reached, but before a line could be made sufficien 1 / fast she had drifted past the house.3 on Flagstaff point, aud was indeed nearly opposite the flagstaff itself. Had the tug been ten minutes later the hng must have gone out to sea, or added another to the list of north beach wrecks. Seeing the absolute osrtainty of a rise iv the river the Dispatch nn>ht have lain alongside the brig so as to be in readiness, ilad ghe been, there the brig would not have had such a narrow escape, for as soon as she floated she could have been taken to a secure anchorage or berth at the wharf. As it was we are glad to say that the Sarah was safely brought to the wharf, where she is now uischarging. The brig Magnet, Captain OlinskUl, from Melbourne, arrived in the roadstead on Tuesday night, after another of her usual firat-rate runs. She left Port Philip Heads on the 3rd inst, passed through the Struits on the 4th, and from thence had strong S. W. winds to IGOdeg. j thenae thick weather and N.E. winds until tho land was made, at noon on Tuesday off Bold Head. She arrived in the roadstead the same evening, aud yesterday afternoon the p.s. Dispatch ran out and brought her safely across the bar, but coming up the river she took the ground on the Nelson spit, and remained there. The tug dropped alongside, and took off her deck cargo, of potatoes, and the Magnet will probably be alongside the wharf this morning. She brings a large cargo of general merchant disc, in splendid condition, and is consigned to her owners, Messrs Kennedy Brothers. We hear that the keel of a schooner has been laid down at the North Shore bj Mr Beddoes, who in accordance with the agreement with the proprietor, is constructing her in such manner as to enable her to sail n very shallow water. She will measure between 8Q and 100 tons, and is fitted with a large centre-board, that will prevent her from drifting to leeward when sailing on a wind, We have often advocated the use of these useful appurtenances, which weie tested so long ago as the year 1812, when a Government trial was made between a yes: el fitted with the lifting-keel and another without it ; and the centre-board vessel beat everything which dared to measure itself against it. — Wellington Independent. Captain John Brown, late of the schoon y Flying Buok, arrived by the mail steamer, and confirms the report as to the, total loss of his vessel, but a slight correotion is requisite, as the vessel was not loaded with teas, nor bound for Melbourne, sho having left Amoy on the 14th of October with acargo of opium, piece goods, and camlet, for Takow, and on tho 16th of October, at 6.15 p.m., during very hazy weather, went ashore on the Island of Formosa, and became a total wreck, but not before the crew and cargo were «aved, A Naval Court of inquiry was held into the disaster, and we are informe I Captain Brown was acquitted of all blame. The Flying Buck was the property of Me?srs Osborn, Cushing ami Co., of this city, and was insured in the Southern Insurance Com. pany,— Aye,