WELLINGTON.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 5, Issue 276, 9 June 1865, Page 2

WELLINGTON.

THE WRECK IN COOK’S STRAITS. (From the Independent, June 3rd.) Very little in addition to what we have already published has transpired calculated more strongly to indicate the name of the unfortunate vessel of which the fragments are being day by day washed up on to our shores. A tablecloth was found on the beach, near the Lighthouse, by the party woykitig-<m the road, but there was., no.name on it. Messrs Johnston and Co. have received a'letter from P. R. Bussell, Esq., stating that a quantity of wreck has been washed on shove in Palliser Bay, amongst which is the figure-head of a. vessel. Mr Russel describes it a? being a bust of a female painted white, with a gilt mural crown on her head, her hand resting on a shield painted blue, on which is a castle gilt. The other articles floated on shore consist of some staging, and this is another link in tke chain of strong circumstantial evidence which render it almost a certainty that it is the City of Dunedin that has come to such an untimely end. The ministry have taken up the matter very warmly, and are using every exertion to clear up the mystery that attaches to the missing ship. The Harbor Master, acting on the directions of Major Richardson, proceeded to the heads on Tuesday last, in the schooner Sarah, for the purpose of instituting a scrutinising search in every direction. Yesterday Captain Fox, of the gunboat Sandfly, received orders to start on a similar expedition, and we understand Captain Kennedy, of the Marine Board, accompanies him. * Since the above was written, we have been favored with the following account of Capt. Holliday’s cruise. Our informant says : The Harbor Master proceeded in the schooner Sarah to the heads on Tuesday morning last. On arrival there he obtained the pilot s boat, and made a careful survey of the coast about Pencarrow head, but did not find anything that would lead to the identification of the vessel that has been wrecked. The Harbor Master’s crew proceeded in the direction ot Terawiti, and went within a mile of that place. Between Island Bay and Sinclair’s Head some cabin fittings painted stone color, am a deal plank 20 feet long, used by steamers as a gangway, a gilt moulding, supposed to have been broken off a figure-head, some short deck planks between two and three feet long, and a hatch were found but to the westward of Sinclair’s Head there was no sign of wreck of any kind. The majority of the relics of the wreck have been fonnd between the Pilot Station and Sinclair’s Head.

WRECK OF THE CITY OF DUNEDIN.

(From the New Zealand Advertiser.) Tho last hope is gone—speculation or supposition will no longer avail—every one must now be, however unwillingly, forced to the conclusion that the p.s. City of Dunedin has been wrecked, and that upwards of fifty persons have been launched into eternity without u 'moment’s warnin'*, dim a.s. liang-itira arrived lust night, from the Maimkau via .Nelson, and she brings (ho intelligence that the City of Dunedin, widen left this port for Nelson on the evening of the 2iith May, had not reached her destination on last Monday morn;;,'*. We have, in tho lace of very s! rou?circumsianl ial evidence, hoped almost against hope. We have buoyed ourselves up in the expectation that matters were not so bad as they appeared—that a merciful Providence had interposed, and that our gloomy forebodings would disappear quickly on the arrival of intelligence concerning the vessel in connection with the safety of which our worst apprehensions had been aroused Now, however, all hope is gone. The vessel has been wrecked, probably within a few miles of our homes, ami we greatly fear that not one of the crew or passengers will bo left to tell of tho awful calamity, and tho circumstances attending the disaster will never be revealed. With an unwilling hand have we, day bv day penned the particulars as they have reached us. We have now but little more to add, as our worst fears have been verified, and our prophecies have proved to be but too true. To attach blame now to any one in particular would be futile, but while we can commend in the highest possible terras the deep interest which has been manifested in this matter by the ministry generally, and by the Hon. Major Siohardsou particlarly, we cannot tco strongly condemn tho culpable conduct of his Honor the Superintendent in not, when the intelligence first readied him, adopting some measures for instituting a search for any person who midit have survived; We do not say that such a search would have resulted in any good, but there is a possibility that some of tuo unfortunates might have been snatched from the jaws of death through timely assistance being rendered, and the rescue of even one human being under sUch circumstances would have been an ample recompense, and would have eased’the public mind. There is a satisfaction in feeling that one has done one’s best, but there are persons in Wellington who cannot in the present case lay to their souls that flattering unction. It is now done—it is past—every hope is gone—and we would fain that we could drop a curtain for ever over the terrible catastrophe. Since the publication of our last issue a search has been instituted in the neighborhood of the lighthouse and the Terawiti coast, but nothing of any material consequence has been found in those localities. A letter from Mr Russell, Wairarapa, was received in town on Tuesday, and the writer stated that quantities of wreck had come on shore at Palliser Bay, and amongst other things a figure head, a sketch of which was enclosed. This drawing was at once recognised by Captain Robertson of the Marine Board, and several other gentlemen, as being a faithful representation of the figure head of the City of Dunedin. The p.s. Sandfly,, in charge of Captain Kennedy, of the Marine Boasd, left at daylight tills morning for the coast, with the view of searching for portions of the wreck. This steamer wiii next proeeed to Palliser Bay, and then cruise ail the different places whora traces are likely to bo obtained. The impression on the minds of several gentlemen well

versed in nautical matters is that the ill-fated vessel must have been kept too far inshore, and that she struck on Seal Rock or Tom’s Rock, and that she backed off and went down immediately with her living freight. Of course this ia mere speculation, but many circumstances go to prove that it is a correct hypothesis.

Telegeaphxo Communication. —We are glad to learn that the Government contemplate immediately sending home for between twenty and 40 miles of electric cable, to stretch across Cook’s Strait, joining the two islands, so that immediately the Panama route is opened which we believe wil be in January next the English news will be sent down to tha south, while alternately the telet graph will communicate the news via Sydneys Government are resolved that, as far as they ar-. concerned, there shall bo no failure, and they design submitting the whele question to the highest professional advice, and have a thorough scientific examination of the best line across the Strait. The sum required, is about £20,000.