LOSS OF THE P.S. NEW ZEALAND.

West Coast Times, Issue 29, 9 August 1865, Page 3

LOSS OF THE P.S. NEW ZEALAND.

We have again the unpleasant duty to fulfil of recording the loss of another vesse l — the p.s. New Zealand, which, it may be remembered, visited this port some three months ogo. The New Zealand arrived from Dunedin and intermediate ports on Monday week, but was driven to sea by the gale which then raged on this coast, and the captain found it necessary to run to Nelson, where he coaled, ana started again for Hokitika, arriving heie on Sunday evening. On Monday ho attempted an entrance, crossed'the bar without difficulty, but not turning with sufficient speed when he got into the channel, ran the vessel on to the north spit. There was a prstty considerable swell on, and it can scarcely be said the vessel was aground, for some considerable time ofter she struck, and why an effort was not promptly made to get her off is a question that can only be answered by those in charge of her. Her paddles, though well in the water, hung uselessly at her sides, till about two hours after the accident, when steam was got up, and a feeble imitation of an attempt to get her off was made. She then had drifted nearly her whole length to the northward, and her .stern, from forward of the paddle boxes, was entirely afloat, and swung round to seaward, so that our readers may imagine^iow fast she was aground.. Apparently, the only thing that prevented her from drifting off was a bow line, made fast on shore : a line was also made fast to the Titania wreck, and a feeble haul made, but not till tho tide had greatly receded. When sjie had got well aground again, the paddles made a few slow and uncertain revolutions, and then stopped, and all steam was blown off. A notice was posted on the paddle-box calling for " tenders " for discharging her, when one would have thought a hundred men or so would have been immediately set to work at any cost, to lighten her,' if a desire prevailed to save the ship and cargo. At all events^that tide was lost, »nd the Now Zealand was high and dry. In tho evening of tho same day, some portion of the cargo having been got out, steam wo? get up, and then hhwn off again; and when after the lapse Jf a short time the tide of it'-Y:lf took her oIF tho spit, and nhe drilled dowii tbu cmrent, tilers Ma; no oleanx or tshe might easily have proceeded to the whavf, or out to sea. As it was ehe was flung ashore again about a mile from her former position, and a loud crash soon told the byestanders that the fate of the New Zealand was decided, and that she had broken in pieces. The beach yesterday morning was strewed with luggage ana cargo, damaged and broken, and many of our fellow-townspeople are heavy losers by the accident. Tho wreck was sold by Messrs, Reeves & Co. yesterday afternoon for the sum of £60.

Without pretending to much knowledge in nautical matters, we cannot help expressing our opinion that had proper exertions been made, the Now Zealand might have been got off without difficulty, and with little, if any, damage — and this is also the conviction of the majority of the residents of Hokitika. Why she was allowed quietly to meet destruction without any effort being made to save her, is a question that should be answered by those in charge; and if ever a case occurred here which deserved the strictest scrutiny and the most searching inquiry, that of tho New Zealand is the one.

We trust that an investigation will at once bo hold, and the blame — if any—belaid on the right shoulders. We are informed that eho vessel was insured, but we could not ascertain exactly to what amount.