WESTPORT.

Thames Star, Volume XIV, Issue 4583, 12 September 1883, Page 2

WESTPORT.

Yesterday. The Grafton still lies where she first stranded on the fl*t at the north side of the river, a considerable distance inside of the bar. She is high and dry at low tide, but the surf causes her to roll a little at high tide. In all cases where hawsers have hitherto been passed to her from other steamers they hare parted. Other snitable appliances hare been wired for to .Wellington, aqd will arrive in time for use during the spring tides, which commence to make to-morrow, but will be of very little practical use until the end of the week; consequently nothing can be done until then. Fifty tons of cargo still remain aboard, 40 tons having been thrown over the side, including Greymouth stuff, and the balance has been landed and stored. The Greymouth portion of the latter will be forwarded per Manawatu an her return from Wellington, for which port she will leave this afternoon. The jettisoned cargo, consisting of flour, bran, etc., was collected by the residents on the beach as it came ashore, and taken possession of by them, but the agents of the ship now advertise that the goods must be accounted for and salvage claimed. A general average bond has been prepared, and freight and 10 per cent, of invoice value of consignment collected from local consignees. Some, however, decline to pay; the goods are therefore detained. The steamer is leaking slightly, the machinery is out of order, and two fans of her propeller are broken. There is at present proposed an arrangement that the Manawatu shall bring the launching appliances from Wellington, and go t& Greymouth with the cargo, and then return here and accompany the Grafton to Wellington I when she floats.