WEST COAST TIMES. THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 1805.

West Coast Times, Issue 41, 7 September 1865, Page 2

WEST COAST TIMES. THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 1805.

During the past fortnight our bar has been in such a wretched state, and the weather has also been bo exceedingly unpropitious, that although several long expected arrivals havo made their appearance in tho roadstead, none have been able to enter tho river, and tho consequence has been a steady riso in prices, and a probability if such a state of things continued a litllo longer we should have to do without many nn article that hitherto has been looked upon as a common necessary. On Monday, however, it wn» known tlib bar was onco more passablo, and that Tuesday morning's tide would sco the arrival into the river of a whole fleet of steamers and small craft that had assembled in tho roadstead. On the morning in question a large concourse of people bad assembled upon tho north spit to> witness thoir on trance, Arfd it was a cheering sight to look to seaward and see the surface of tho ocean dotted with vessols under steam and canvas waiting for the signal of "bar safe," to make tho attempt. The first to cross was the brigantino Leonidas, that has been so long expected ; and although it might have boon supposed that a vessel of her size and draught of water would at least have waited tor tho top of high water and tho entrance of tho steamors first, sho, apparently' in a hurry to end the supenso she had been so long in, made a push for it, and on gotting into tho " break" on the bar tho wind failed her, and after n. fow helpless rolls she took tho ground and was washed up, bows first, about the flagstaff. This was an ominous beginning, and tho vessels that had followed her, on seeing tlio disaster tacked, and stood out again. Tho s.s. Wallaby was the next that took tho bar, and out of the crowd assembled not ono doubted her safe arrival. They woro not decoiveel ; under the skilful pilotago of Oaptain Whitwcll sho safely crossed, and steamed up tho rivor to her berth at tho wharf. Next came tho Yarra, having the schooner Dolphin in tow, followed by tho s.s. Maid of tho Yarra in chargo of Captain Kerloy. TRe cntranco was effected without misohiof. A whole fleet of sailing vessols, led by the schooner Pkcenix, woro now obsorved. to head boldly for the much dreaded bar. The Minnie followed closo upon her heels, the Australian Maid coming next ; thoso got in safely, and proceeded up the channel. When olose to the turn the Minnio took the ground on the north spit, and there remained until the aftornoon, when she was towed off by tlio Yarra. Tho Florence, United Brothers, and Tlirco Sisters camo in next, tho two formorhavinganarrow escape from fouling oaohothor. The Katheraw brought up the rear, crossed safoly, and we afterwards had tho pleasure of seoing them moored at tho quay safe and sound, no impending " general averago " hanging over tho heads of the wretched consignees.

To those who havo not visited tho north spit during tho past month, a very considerable nltoration in the entrance to tbo river and tho spit itself will be apparent ; and thoso who havo paid daily visits to tho flagstaff, and havo closely watched the 'jihango that has gradually taken placo can only come to ono conclusion, and that is — that thero is overy probability in a short timo of our onco more having a straight and dcop run out ovor tho bar. Tho small channel that was cut through tho north spit tho week before last has, through tho lato heavy freshets, been widened and deepened to four times its original she, and now disgorges right upon tho hapless Titania a volume of water that threatens soon to completely ovorcome the stream that flows round the end of tho spit. Tho channel of ingress and egress to vessels instead of olo.iely hugging tho north epit, divorges considerably from tho lino of boaoh ; and wero tho impediment offered by tho wreok of tho Titnnia once removed, thero is no doubt bnt that it would soon'run at right angles with it. Indeed wo much wonder that no stops havo been takon by the Government to remove such an unsightly objcot, and so dangerous an obstruction to tho navigation of „tho ohannol. A fow pounds of powder jiulioiouslv jmployed would effectually settle the question, and we feel cortain that were tonders for hor removal called for, we have enough energy aad ontorpriHo to spare

amongst us that warrants us in believing such a call would bo immediately responded to. As we stood upon tho spit to-dtiy wo wore Btruck with tho immenso volume of water discharged by tho river, and its tromendous power. Tho surf, heavy as it was, was for onco fairly beaten and forced to retreat, only au occasional roller managing to leap the barrier into tho comparatively smooth bosom of tho rushing " fresh." At the junction of tho two a perfect maelstrom existed, tho angry sou dyed to a deep brown, and broken into short, spiteful looking _ waves, appeared like a disorganised rabble ohargiug a compact well disciplined regiment of tbo line, whioli, resistless in its force, kept tho enemy at bay. Such forces, continually at work, are making sad havoc with tho north spit, and threaten soon to remove that portion of it on which stands the hotel and flag staff. Already the steep bank of sand that on Sunday bordered tho sea haa been levelled, and now a smooth unbroken beach extends close up to the latter, and should the heavy freshots continue a week or two longer, the whole of the rivor will doubtless find its way through there. We think we are justified in supposing that, for some months at least, we shall not bo again shut in, and that there is not tho romotest chanco of tho Grey ever superseding Hokitika as tho principal port of ontry.

A public meeting was hold at the Corinthian Hall last evening for the purpose of considering the extension of tlio wharf towards Kevell street. Mr Munro was called to the chair. Mr Palmer read a communication from the Provincial Government, stating that thoy will not proceed with the necessary work at present ; it was therefore proposed by Mr Kennedy, seconded by Mr Oomtokey — "'flint a committee of the following gentlomen be appointed to organise a public meeting, to be held at tho Corinthian Hall, on Saturday next, September 9th, for the purpose of laying before the public the necessary information, Ate, required for carrying out the work— Messrs. Palmor, Comiskey, Ching, Hudson, Hawkes, Gwatkiu and Munro."