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Grey River Argus, Volume XII, Issue 1125, 6 March 1872, Page 2

The steamer Murray arrived early yesterday morning from Kelson, Motueka, and Weatpor', and sailed in the evening for Hokitika. The steamer Kennedy, Captain Whitwell, arrived from Nelson, &c, last night. She left Nelson on Saturday evening, arrived at Westport on Sunday, left again on Monday, at 5 p.m., arrived at Hokitika at 6 a.m. on Tuesday, and came on here the same night. She leaves at 7 o'clock this evening for Westport and Nelson. The schooner Lady Don, Captain Ruxton, from Lyttelton, crossed the bar under sail last nighc and arrived safely at the wharf. She left Lyttelton on the 23rd February with a S.W. breeze, which carried her as far as tho Kaikoras. On the 25th, she beat into Tory Channel with a N.W. wind. On tbo 26th, she passed Steven's Island, and since then she experienced only variable winds until her arrival off the bar on Monday night. The tug-eteamer Dispatch was undergoing some repairs, and was unable to tendor her on yesterday's tide, but during the afternoon there was a light breeze from seawards and the schooner, taking advantage of it at high water, easily croste .l the bar, and sailed up to a berth alongside Mawhera Quay. Her master reports tho bar in fine condition with plenty of water. Thtf steamer Kennedy, on her last trip from Westnort to Nelson, took the new channel, being the first steamer that has passed through it. His Honor the Superintendent returned to Nelson in her.. Mt Thomas Scott, a seafaring man, who is experienced in river navigation, has completed a survey of the Murray an far up as Tintaldra, about 100 miles above Albury. He reports that no natural obstacles exist against the successful use of the river for small steamboat traffic up to that place, and that in ordinary seasons there would be practicable navigation during several months in the year. The prospect of successfully running suitable boats on this part of the river is considered so good that the residents in Albury, propose to form a Bteamboat company for the conveyance of passengers and cargo to and from various stations above that place. The schooner Challenge has arrived in Cleveland Bay in a distressed condition, bringing news of a fearful hurricane she had, in company with two other_ vessels— the barque James Merriman and 'the schooner Margaret and Jane— experienced in Trinity Bay, situated some 210 miles north from Townsville. Captain Marr, of the Challenge, reports tbafc on Saturday, December 30, with the barometer at 29.50, the schooner was on her beam ends, and he cut away both masts. She was completely covered with sea and spray, and everything moveable was swept off the decks. She continued in this position until daylight ; the night was pitch dark, and both anchors were dragging. One of them parted and was lost with 15 fathoms of chain. At daylight sighted tbe barque James Merriinau, dismasted. Went on board the James Merriman on Tuesday, and found her in a helpless condition. On Thursday, took her master and crew on board, as it was impossible they could remain with their own vessel. •