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Grey River Argus, Volume X, Issue 818, 11 March 1871, Page 2

The s.s. Alhambra, Captain Underwood, from Melbourne, reached Hokitika roadstead yesterday forenoon, and was immediately tendered by the s.s. Waipara, which landed her cargo and passengers. The Alhambra came on |here in the afternoon, and at about midnight was tendered by the p,s. Despatch, when she proceeded on her trip to Nelson. Yesterday the p s. Dispatch towed to sea the schooners Colleen Bawn for Wanganui, the Mary Van Every for Picton, and the Isabella, for Lyttelton. The p.s. Charles Edward is expected here to-day from Westport. She is announced to leave for Hokitika on Sunday morning, and will return here on Monday, leaving the same night on her return northern trip. A strange waif of the sea has recently been purchased by Mr Hart, of the Old Curiosity shop, at the corner of the Arcade, Melbourne. It is a boat-shaped piece of wood picked up on the coast of New Zealand some months since, aud it bears this inscription : — " Ship Gen. Grant, wrked Auckland Isles, May 14, 18— (last two figures illegible) 10 survive on Enderbys. Dec. 1, 1867. W«nt relief." The authenticity of this little billet of wood is apparent, it being thoroughly water-worn, and presenting all the appearance of having been immersed for years. [It is strange that this waif of the sea was never heard of in New Zealand, where it was said to have been picked up.] A recent Gazette contains a mariners' notice received from the Government of Victoria, which is published for general information : — Swan Spit ShoaL — Masters, pilots, and others are hereby informed that a black buoy has been placed in 21ft of water at the end of the shoal which has recently formed to the eastward of the Swan Spit. The following bearings mark the position of the buoy, viz. :- High, line at Shortland's Bluff in line -with the west end of Swan Spit light, south-west by west. No. 12 buoy just open to the eastward of the West Channel landslip (swung to the ebb). Swan beacon W. J N. The shoal, which has irregular soundings from 13ft to 17ft, lies N.N.W, about one cable length from the buoy, and is about half a cable in width, with 22ft water at its outer or eastern edge. Charles B. Payne, Chief Harbor-master. Department of Ports and Harbors, Melbourne, January 14, 1871. The ship Blue Jacket, of Liverpool, bound from Japan to Holland, reported a short time ago by telegraph from Galle to be lost in the China Sea, was stranded on the 23rd October on a reef off Gaspar Island, >.nd when abandoned by the crew was fast on a rock, entirely submerged at high water, ami surrounded by water at low ebb. No hope of ber being got off. The crew were lauded at Anger by the Grace Peile, of Liverpool.