TELEGRAMS

Patea Mail, 23 June 1882, Page 3

TELEGRAMS

TO THE “ MAIL!”

(per united press association. )

HOW THE WESTPORT WAS WRECKED.

A FEARFUL EXPERIENCE.

Blenheim .• —The crew of the Westport arrived here yesterday afternoon. The following information concerning the wreck is gathered from Captain Gibbs: i—The Westport left Lyttelton at 5 a.m, on Sunday, and had to shelter. Passed Cape Campbell on Tuesday morning, and turned back to shelter, under it, as the centrifugal pump was not working well. In turning, the ship made some heavy lurches, pitching everything in

the hold to the lee side, and went oyer on her beam ends. She lay 1 there perfectly unmanageable. She lay so much on one side that the coal -would not lie in the bars, and, as a consequence, the steam went down. Captain Gibbs made numerous efforts to right the ship, but without avail. The engine on deck, which drove the centrifugal pump, also shifted. The Westport lay like this for nearly three hours, drifting to the southward, and making water all the time. All hands were set to work to bail out the water with buckets and tubs. A sea smashed a boat on the lee davits. In order to try and get some coal on , the fires two men were lashed in the istokeholes. A little steam was got up, and the vessel was got to forge ahead a little. In being steered by canvas for Cape Campbell, the steamer just fetched the Flaxbourne anchorage below Cape Campbell. At 4 p.m. on Tuesday the anchor was let go off Flaxbourne in ten fathoms. The engineer made a survey of the damage done to the centrifugal pump engine, and reported that it was impossible to right it. The water, which was gaining fast, was level with the main rail on the leeside. Finally Captain Gibbs came to the conclusion that it was impossible to beach the ship, she being under no control. Night was coming on, a heavy gale blowing, and the steamer fast settling down by the head. Captain Gibbs then gave orders to man the boats, and after all were safely in them, went in himself. This was at five o’clock. i The boats made for the lee side of the reef at Flaxbourne, and reached the beach jnst at dark. The captain and crew lost everything. Captain Gibbs speaks highly of the kindness he and his men experienced at Flaxbourne. Before leaving the Westport the bulk-head of the engine-room had given ont.

Electric Light CompanyWellington.—A meeting is to be held on Monday next to take into consideration the expediency of establishing a company, with a capital of £200,000, for the purpose of supplying public and private lighting by electricity. It is proposed that a general directory shall be established in Wellington, and that local directorates be formed in Auckland, Canterbury, and Dunedin. Governor’s Departure. Wellington.—lt is understood that His Excellency the Governor leaves for Fiji to-day. Tampering with Election RollInvercargill. When the charge against T. Booth of putting names on the Wallace roll without sufficient authority, was called in the Supreme Court to-day, Mr Stout for the defence submitted that the certificate granted to Booth in the election petition Court would free him from this indictment. The judge admitted the difficulty, and reserved the point. Afterwards the court and counsel agreed that proceedings should 1 be stayed in the case. The other charge against Daniel is now proceeding. ■