WELLINGTON.

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 2611, 22 May 1877, Page 2

WELLINGTON.

Monday

A meeting of the Corporation was held this afternoon to decide who was the successful tenderer for the wharf extension contract. After some discussion it was resolved to further postpone the matter until next Tuesday. This day. The schooner Omaha, Captain Barr, arrived this morning from Chatham Islands, where she left on the 18th. She brings the captain, officers and crew of the ship Ocean Mail. It appears from the accounts given by the officers of the Ocean Mail that after passing Pencarrow Heads on the 15th,,the weather was very thick for several days until the morning of the 21st, when, during the second mate's watch, sail was shortened. About 4 a.m. the third mate called the captain, eaying the ship was nearly ashore. Every endeavor was made to work her off, but unavailingly, and' she struck on a bed of solid rock known as the French Reef, between Matavakau and Taupeka Points. The pumps were sounded, and indicated five feet of water in the ; hold. The boats were got out, the passengers landed, and stores and other things taken into the bush until the surf became too hea7y. The reef is about half-a-mile from shore. On the following Monday a survey was held and the wreck was sold to Mr Bitchie. An inquivy into the disaster was held subsequently, at Matarakau, before Mr Deighton, R.M. and Collector of Customs, the result of which was that the captain's certificate was suspended for nine months, and the officers' for six. Two of the officers have been committed for trial for perjury, for slating,that the log was overboard when the vessel struck : both have been lodged in gaol. Private letters from the Chathams say the weather was very thick and dark when the vessel came ashore, and.had been so for several days. They have recovered between four hundred and five hundred bales of wool, and about a hundred casks of tallow came ashore during one night. Letters says it was fortunate the night was smooth, or all hands would have been drowned. The tidal wave was felt there on the 11th, but nothing like so severe as on a former occasion, in 1868. ■ Later. Re the Ocean Mail, it was stated this morning by the representative of the New Zeal cud Shipping Co , in the presence of CtLi.~. Watson, and uncontradicted, that the gr- ;test possible indiscretion had been shown as to the disposal of the wreck and cargo; that no publicity whatever was given of the day of sale; that the wreck, with boats and gear, were sold five days after the vessel went ashore for a hundred (?) pounds, and on the followdays' cargo, valued at a hundred thousand was sold.for £345. A protest, signed by all the principal residents at Waitangi, has been sent to the insurance offices interested, urging that the sale was extremely illegal, and that it should be held again. It is considered probable that other queslio.2B may arise to test the illegality of the sales. Even the £945 has not yet been paid over. Besides the 400 bales, of wool saved, while the coast for miles is strewn with wool, which is being collected. The vessel broke up? about ten days ago.