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Grey River Argus, Volume IX, Issue 709, 4 August 1870, Page 2

The schooner Three Friends, from Wests- . port, sailed in over the bar on the ebb tide on Tuesday. The s.s. John Penri, Capt. Carey, arrived yesterday at 4 p.m. from Hokitika, Westport, Wanganui, and the Manakau, crossing the bar in fine style with plenty of -water. She leaves again to-day at two o'clock for Westport, Nelson, Wanganui, and the Manakau. - Yesterday the p.s. Dispatch towed to nea the schooner Canterbury, Ruxton master, bound for Lyttelton, aiid the ketch Jane Ann, Smith master, for Kaiapoi, both with cargoes of coal. On Tuesday morning, the arrivals were the p. a. Charles Edward and the s.s. Murray, both from Nelson and Westport. They both called atthe latter port, ana left on Monday at midnight, arriving off this port early on Tuesday, and crossing the bar at tide-time. They brought cargoes of produce, the particulars of which will be found above ; and both sailed yesterday, -at 2 p.m., for Westport and Nelson. The brigantine Prosperity, which has arrived at Hokitika, reports having passed the brig Magnet, from Greynunith, on the morning of the 27th of July, in latitude 40.36 S., and longitude 160.40 E. The barque Canter.o,;bo\md from Hokiangi (Auckland) for Newcastle, N.S.W., was abandoned by the master arid crew because she struck on the Hokianga bar. She was afterwards picked up by the ketch Mary Ann. At the official enquiry Norman Stewart, master of the Mary Ann, ketch, said : On the 17th instant, at daybreak, I saw the Cantero drifting out, about seven miles from the shore, with a distress flag flying. I sent two men on board, told them to haul down the ensign, sound the pump, and see that the wheel gear was right. They did so. : I saw no cable out— pait of the cutwater was gone. After setting sail we steered south ; afterwards held off. Then saw the pilot, Captain JBeveridge, approach, who asked me to give him charge of the vessel. I agreed, and left one man on board, to hold possession for me. Tho pilot said, weather permitting, he would take her to Hokianga or to Auckland, if I would lend him my charts. 1 did not see anything damaged about the vessel ; the gear was adrift ; only the iuaintopsail .was set. I arrived in Auckland on Friday evening, the 22nd, and reported it to the Collector of Customs at his own house.— The further hearing of the . caso was adjourned, in order to get the Hokianga pilot's statement. ; In our last telegrams we stated that a collision had taken place between the ketch Enterprise an 1 the s.s. Tauranga.— The following statement was made by the master of the ketch Enterprise before H. S, McKellar, Esq., Collector of Customs, Auckland, referring to the collision: — "Custon house, Auckland, July 25. 1870.— Richard Millis, master of the ketch Enterprise, 27 tons, owned by Henry Hadfield, Thames, states : 1 left the Bay of Islands on Saturday about 7.30 a.m., bound for the Thames, having on board a cargo of 39 tons coal, consigned to Captain Souter, with Henry Had field,, Bernard McDermott, and Charles C. Clifton as crew. When leaving the Bay the wind was N. W. , moderate. At 4p. in ., when off Tutukaka, the wind increased, and came on thick with frequent squalls. Took in the inizen and staysail. Passed the Sail Rock at 10. 45 p.m. quite close. After passing the Sail Rock I steered by compass S. E. by S. Charles C. Clifton was steering. We carried no lights. Clifton reported a bright light

a-head. After coming on deck to see where the light was, I returned to the cabin for the purpose of making a flare up. Whilst below, Clifton reported a red and green light close to us. I. ran on deck and ordered Clifton to keep away, and immediately the collision occurred. We struck the steamer on. the port quarter. 1 went* forward to see if we had sustained any damage, and found that our bows were knocked in. v I had the boat at once put over, and myself and crew got into her when the Enterprise sank. When in the boat I heard a cry on board the steamer as if some person was hurt. The cry appeared to come from one person only When in the boat we had to keep her before the sea ; and on the moon shining out, we pulled to Little Omaha, where we arrived at 7 a.m. We \yere taken on board the cutter Ruby, Capt. Oatchpool, who brought us to Axickland."— Serious fears are entertained of the steamer with which the ketch came into collision ; for a minute or so after, the men in the boat say they could see no signs of her. The darkness of the night would, however, have prevented them from seeing any distance. The p.s. Samson is due hereto-day, and the s.s. Tauranga to-morrow ' These are the only two steamers- that left this port bound north on Saturday last, and, from the description: given of the vessel, it is believed that the Samson will prove to be the one which came into collision with the ketch. The Enterprise had only recently been purchased by Mr Hadlield from Mr J. S. Macfarlane, and was insured in the New Zealand Company's office for Ll2O. .