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Hokitika Guardian, 15 October 1929, Page 3

Two of the Union Company’s vessels, the Poolta and the Opihi, humped while clearing the Grey bar on Sunday evening, says the Grey Star. Light westerly seas during the past week have been banking the sand shingle up at the river-mouth, and this, with the neap tides prevailing, has caused a steady decrease in the depth of water on the bar and in the river. There was about 20 feet on the bar when the three vessels, Opihi, Poolta and Ivanna crossed outward-bound.. The Ivanna and the Opihi were towed out bv the Harbour Board’s tug. . Evidently expecting something of an- unusual nature, quite a big crowd watched the vessels out from the wharf and from the Tiphead, and were rewarded when tne Poolta and Kannu whistled as having “ bumped.” -The trouble, was not sufficient to. stop either, of the ships, however. Interviewed this,morning, Mr L. A. . Sheet, the acting-Mnn 7 ager for the Union Company, stated that he did not wish to comment on the occurrence. At one time it was not unusual for a ship to strike the bar, hut with improved conditions during the past year, such a happening has been rare.