SHIPPING SUMMARY.

West Coast Times, Issue 149, 10 March 1866, Page 4

SHIPPING SUMMARY.

As compared with January thero is a slight falling off in tho trado of our port during tho past month, intercourse by sailing vossol with Melbourne and Dunedin having sadly do- • ci cased. This may bo attributed chiefly to tho fact that the rates of freights by ocean steamers havo beon so much lowered that shippers find it moro profitable to pay tho slight margin of difference in prico of carriago botweon tho two class of vessels, and havo thoir goods transported with greater dispatch than risk the uhancos of a long voyage, too often mado by vessels undor canvas. Woro it not for tho s.s. Wonga Wonga our ti'adc with tho North Island would be virtually at ail.end, for not ono vessel has arrivod horo from Auckland during the month. Our intercourse with Lyttelton and Nolson has boon kept up by steam vossols alone. Admitting that itlis pleasant to sco our wharf lined with "craft," wo yet must needs confess tho chango is beneficial, and may congratulate oursolvos that wo can now implicitly roly upon a noblo fleet of steam vessols to supply our wants. Although our trado with Molbourno has beon considerably bolow tho average, it promisos to iiicreaso very considerably during tho ensuing month, for our latest advices contain tho information that a heavy fleet of sailing vessels woro on tho borth for Hokitika, although loading was not offering so" freoly as could bo desired. Our N.S.W. friends havo paid us closer attention, and wo imagino must find trading with us a profltablo affair. Thoso regular traders, the Jano Lockhart, Amy Robsarfc, and Colonist, havo paid us thoir usual monthly visit, and a now arrival, tho Lizzio Ooleson, has, wo believe, beon added to the flcot. Sovoral of tho Panama Company's stcainors havo anchored in tho roads, whilst the Gothenburg, South Australian, and Egmont have made thoir usual call. Wo aro thankful that Hokitika, as a port of call, is apidly losing tho ill ropute it was onco hold in, for another month has passed by and not one wreck has takon place. 'Tis truo a mishap occurred to tho Mary Anno, schooner, which, through tho loss of hor ruddor, was cast ashoro on tho South Spit. Sho, howovor, remained thoro but a fow days, boing at onco transported ovorland, aud relaunched into tho river. Tho ontranoo to the rivor throughout tho month has been everything that could bo desired. Not onco has tho channel boon impassable, although two or threo timo3 tho harbor boats woro put to their notllo whon making way through tho surf to tho roadstead, but nothing moro sorioii3 than a wot jackot result el from tho attempt. In another respect wo havo also boon fortunate, ono flood only having swopt down tho rivor. It howovor did not tho slightest damago to shipping and merely kopt tho harbor steamers prisoners for 0110 day 5 but it mado sad havoc with the lowor ond of Gibson's Quay, and cut another hugo slice oif tho north spit. It was confidently anticipated at tho commoncemont of the month that tho Govornmont woro about to oxtend the wharf and thus bo tho means of saying a valuable portion of tho town and that great natural breakwater tho " Spit." Bnt the meditated and much needed work was indefinitely postponed by tho solflsh short sighted order which emanated from John Hall, to at onco stop all public works, savo thoso already contracted for. Our coasting trade with Okarita and tho Groy has muoh inoreased ; 'with the latter port especially wo havo beon in constant communication. This has to a great extent be.en occasioned by tho now discoveries made in the former district, which caused a heavy rush of diggers from tho Grey and Hokitika. At tho same timo, ordinary trade is steadily on tbo increase, and promises great advantages to tho threo ports for tho future. Both at tho Groy and Okarita Bomo casualties to shipping havo occurred. At the former port, on tho 3rd instant, tho schooner Fal "on, a fine sea-going vossol, ono of tho Auckland clippers, was driven on shoro on tho north beach, and it is foarod, will become a total wreck ; indeed, no hope is entertained of saving hor. Tho p.s. Challongo also got into difficulties on tho South Spit; on tho 19th ult., but was ovontually got off, and, fortunately, without having having received any material damago. It was rather strango that sho wont on shoro nearly in tho same place whioh tbo s.s. Star of tho Evoning oeoupiod on tho 10th ult., but from which she was also removed without damage a day or two afterwards. Tho mishop to tho Ohallongo was occasioned by hor '• taking tho bar " too lato bn tido ; that to tho Star of tho Evening, through tho hoavy soa running at tho time. In connection with tho Groy wo mayraontion that 'its shipping trado is vory considerable, although as yot tho largo steamers (savo in ono or two instancos) havo not raado it thoir port of call. On tho Okarila bar ono of tho oldest of tho Wostlandcoasting(Maft,boonmea total wreokton days ago, and although sho had no pretentious to tho designation of " dipper," proved hersolf a useful and steady-going oraft. Wo regret tho loss of tho Travollor's Bride, which many a timo and oft has crossed tho Hokitika bar in safety. Outside tho winds and waves have favored vessels bound to our port, fair passages having beon mado from Melbourno, Syduoy and Dunodiu. Our steam fleet has received a moßt valuablo roinforcomont by tho arrival of tho two steam tugs Ohallongo and Porsovoro, from Molbourno. Tho former, a fine boat ef 40 hoi so-powor, is tho property of Mossrs Spenco Brothers, 0110 of 1 our principal firms, tho lattpr was sont ovor by Messrs Moiohan and Blaokwood, and is intended for tho coasting and harbor trado. She is a smart littlo oraft of 25 horse-power, built nnd fitted in Melbourne.

arrivaib. February 14— Olaudo Hamilton, from Molbourno. February 15— Kathoraw, B«hoonor, from Molbonrno, Ptfwwf Jf*i|p JwWwf. fow fyfo^

February 18— Ohallongo, p,s., from Molbourno. Kate, sohoonor, from Sydnoy. February 19— Lady Darling, from Molbourno. Fobruavy 20— Colonist, brigontine, from Sydnoy. Fobruary 23— Amy Robsart, brigantino, from Sydnoy. Cosmopolite brig, from Hobartown. February 26 — James Praxton. brigantino, Nowcastlo, N.S.W. February 28— South Australian, s.s., from Molbourno. March I—Lizzio1 — Lizzio Coleson, brigantino, from Sydnoy. March 2— Otago, s.s., from Molbourno. Maroh 4— Gothonburg, s.s., from Molbourne. March B— Albion, s,s., from Molbourno. ', ,■ DEPARTURES. February 12— Gothenburg, s.s., for Mol-. bousno. Fobruary 13— Barwon, s,s., for Sydnoy. Fobruary 16— Maria, sohoonor, for Molbourno. Trador, sohoonor, for Nowcastlo, N.S.W. Fobruary 28— Colonist, brigantine, for Sydney. Lady Darling, schooner, for Newcastle, March I— South Australian, s.s., for Molbourne. Amy Robsart, brigantino, for Sydnoy. Jauo Lockhart, brigantino, for Sydnoy. Lizzio Ooloson, brigatino, for Sydnoy. Coastwise. Arrivals. Fobruary 10— Bruco, p.s., from Okarita. - Fobruary 11— Ballarat, p.s., from Okarita. Mary Ann, ketch, from tho Groy. Fobruary 12— Gothenburg, s.s., fromNolson. Barwon, s.s., from Nolsou. Tiger, schooner, from Groy. Bruco, p.s., from Okarita. Fobruary 13— Kennedy, 8.8., from Nolson. Koora, s.s., from Dunedin. Fobruary 14— Ballaiat, p.s., from tho Grey. Thomas Cutter, from Bruco Bay. Wonga Wonga, s.s., from Nolson. Fobruary 17 — Yarra, p.s., from Grey. Ballarat, p.s., from Groy. Egmont, 5.8., Dunodin. Fobruary 19— Bruco, p.s., from Grey, Star of tho Evening, from Groy. February 19— Lioness, p.s., from Groy. Lapwing, cutter, from Grey. - Fobruary 20.— Wallabi, from Groy. Fobruary 23— Bruoo, p.s., from Okarita. Fobruary 24— Egmont, s.s., from Nolson., Fobrnary 25— Claud Hamilton, b.s., from Dunedin. Fobruary 25— Bruco, p.s., from Okarita. Fobruary 26— Konnody, b.b., from Nolson. February 26— Lloyd's Horald, ketch, from Dunodin. Fobruary 26— Ballarat, p.s., from Okarita. February 27— Claud Hamilton, b.s., from Okarita. Fobruary 27 — Bruco, p.s., from Okarita. . Fobruary 27— Konnody, s.s., from Okarita. February 27 — Bruco, p.s., from Grey. < March I—Bruco,1 — Bruco, p.s., from Okarita. March I—Kennedy,1 — Kennedy, s.s., from Okarita. March 2— William Miskin, s.s., from Dunedin. March 2— John Mitcholl, kotch, from Okarila. 'March 3 — Ohallongo, p.s., from Groy. Maroh B— Lionoss, p. 8., from Groy. March 3 — Wonga Wonga, s.s., from Nolson. March 4— Dispatch, brigantino, fron>. Dunodin. March 4 — Bruco, p.s., from Okarita. Maroh s— Wm. Miskin, s.s., from. Okarita. March s— Wm. Miskin, b.s., from Groymouth. March 6— Thane, s.s., fsom Nolson. March 7 — Porsororo, p.s., from Melbourno. March 7 — Lioness, p.s., from Okarita. March 7— Lloyd's Horald, ketch, from Okarita. March B— Claud Hamilton, s.s., from Nelson March B— Spray, sohoonor, from Lyttolton. March B—Phoenix,8 — Phoenix, sohoonor, from Dunodin. March B—Vohmtcor,8 — Vohmtcor, cutler, from Manukau. "Coastwise. sailed. Fobruary 10— Bruco p a, for Okarita. February 11 — Pilot, cultor, for Invorcargill. Phoonix, Bohooncr, for Dunedin. Elfin, schoonor, for Dunodin. Fobruary 12 — Lnpwing, cutter, for Groy. - ° Mary Jano, schoonor, for Napier. * Fobruary 18— Yarra, ps, for Groy. ' Ballarat, ps, for Groy. > fc February 14— Konnody, sB, for Nolson. 0 Claud Hamilton, ss, for Nelson. 0 Fobruary 15 — Koora, sB, for Dunedin, 0 Fobruary 16— Wonga Wouga, bs, for Nol*j son. 1 Sarah, sohoonor, for Jackson's Bay. 11 Ballarat, ps, for Groy. 11 Fobruary 17 — Edgle, cutter, for Manukau. '» Fobruary 18— Lionoes, pB, for Groy. Bruco, p b, for Groy. y February 19— Star of tho Evening, ss, for * Wellington. f * Egmont, sty for Nolson. 6 Ohallongo, ps, for Groy. l J Ballarat, ps, for Okarita. y Bruco, ps, for Okarita. l# February 20— Matilda, schoonor, for Okay rita. lona, schooner, for Okarita. 11 Fobruary 21— Wnllabi, ss, for Groymouth. 0 February 22 — Lapwing, outtor, Onehunga. ' February 23— Ballarat, ps, for Okarita: Bruce, p s, for Okarita. '' February 25— Egmont, ss, for Nolson. ;l; l Fobruary 26— Bruco, ps, for Okarita. > Claud Hamilton, sb, for Okarita. Kennedy, s s, for Okarita. 0 Fobruary 27— Claud Hamilton, for Nolson. "^ Bruco, ps, for Grey. 5 Kate, schooner,- for Okarita. 8 Fobruary 28— Kennedy, ss, for Okarita. " Bruco, ps, for Okarita. March I—Tiger,1 — Tiger, schoonor, for Groy. •J Emma Eliza, schoonor, for Okarita. ° March 2— Konnody, ss, for Groy. 0 Maroh 3— William Miskin, ss, for Groy. ° Thames, outtor, for Okarita. 0 Mary Anno, sohoonor, for Okarita. * Bruco, pb, for Okarita. Lioness, p b, for Okarita, ' Lloyds' Horald, ketch, for Okarita; ° March 4— Challenge, p.s., for Okarita. Tambo. sohoonor, for Okarita. March 6— Gothenburg, s.s., for Nolson. 0 March 7— Wonga Wonga, s.s., for Nolson. 1 Bruco, p.s., for Okarita. 8 March 6— William Miskin, b.s., for Dunedin. Cosmopolite, brig, for Napior. I Tho s.s. Gothonburg, Hugh Maokio, cominandor, loft Port Philip Heads Fob. 26th at 10 p.m., and sighted tho land off Hokitika on tho 3rd instant, coining to an anohor the noxt ' day at 8 a.m. Sho has thus mado a fair run $ of flyo days two hours. For two days after leaving light variablo winds woro.oxporioncod. but during the remainder of tho passage fresh P lroo<!08 from tho S.W. and a heavy soa. _ Tho Wonga Wonga left Wellington on 21st " Fobruary, bound to Wonganui, whoro sho , arrivod on tho 22nd, sailing again for Nolson . tho noxt day. Roaohod that port on tho 24th, 1 and after remaining thoro throe days, discharging aud taking in cargo, loft for tho Groy on the 27th, and orossod tho bar of that rivor on tho Ist instant. Thoro she landed a quantity of livo stock, and was ready for soa on tho 2nd, but suffered a dotontion of 24 hours through a f reshot in tho river. Left the Groy on the 3rd iust., at 1 p.m.,|andarrivedoff Hokitika nt 2.30 p.m., and at tho wharf at U pifl« Oft ftttPWptlHft fa fPfi tlWtlW fIUI

Wonga Wonga groundod, and as tho ticlo was ac ebbing, all attompt to niovo hor proved un- p availing, and sho remained there for Bovoral 2) hour.*. In conßoquonco of our roportor being w absent in tho country, he is unablo to give an st account of tho mishap, wo, howovor, publish ai tho following, rccoivod by us from Captain vi Mundlo :— " On our arrival" off Hokitika, at tl 2.40 p.m., tho rod flag was flying as a signal n to take tho bar. On attempting to cross it A 10 vessol took the ground and stuck fast for O i a fow minutos with hor heel on tho Sonth v, Spit, but tho force of tho current on her star- (\ board bow payed her head round to soaward, tl when sho floatod and steamed outside again, fc "When fairly dear of tho bar wo observed tho 0 rod flag hauled down half mast and then run up d and down two or three times, finally being t masfc headod,\ where it remained. This wo t understood to signify " try it again, thore is •y plenty of water," and accordingly tho vossol « was again headed for tho bar, whioh sho sue- j ecoded ' in orossing, but grounded in mid- t channel insido % of it, from which position wo ( found it impos3iblo to raovo hor until tho tide | again mado nt 10 o'clock that night. Not the j Blightost blame can bo attached to anyono on i board as tho directions of tho signal man wero ] implicitly obeyed. Thoro can bo, howovor, no ] doubt that wo woro too lato on tide and should not havo bcon allowed to enter.' [Wo fully on- ■ dorso tho opinion contained in tho last -paragraph, and inoreovor bcliovo thero has beon a great deal of rcoklossnoss displayed latoly in allowing vessels to enter so lato on tido. On Saturday it was high water at H'4B a.m., and was thoroforo past half tido whon tho .Wonga first took tho bar, far too lato for a vossol of hor ldngtli of keel to attompt an entrance Fortunately tho woathor was flno and tho sea remarkably smooth, • othorwiso tho Wonga would havo shared tho same fato as tho Maid of tho Yarra. Wo trust that for the future greater caution will bo displayed, and' no' vossol of hor class permitted to ontor or depart before tbroo quarters flood or after a quarlor ebb. After a protracted absonco, occasioned by hor lato, mishap at tho Groy, tho steam tug Challenge arrived in port on Saturday last, having suffered, wo aro happy to say, no material damago from hor lato sovoro trial. After hor romovol from the South Spit sho lay a weok in tho Groy river repairing damages, whioh boing coinplotod sho, on tho 27th ult., again commonced work by towing in tho Bchoonor Viotoria from Melbourno, and on tho 3rd started for Hokitika with tho schooner Mary in tow. When outside she cast off hoy chargo and proceeded down tho coast, reaching tho wharf safely tho samo day. Captain Mundlo, of tho Wonga Wonga, roports that when leaving the Grey ho saw the schooner Falcon, belonging to Auckland, go ashore on tho North Beach. Her position is most critical, as sho iafav to the northward of where tho Nelson, p.s. is lying. ■ Tho brigantino Despatch left Dunodin on tho 14th ult. with variablo winds and flno woathor. Up to tho 20th light baffling winds provailod, on whioh day whon abreast of Manna Islnncl it settled into ' tho N.W. and blow stifly for a fow hours inducing hor to run in and anchor. Put to soa '6n tho 21st, and on tho 24th, whon oft'Boro Point as it foil a doad calm, sho came to with a kedgo for 24 hours. Anchored off Hokitika on tho 3rd and reached tho wharf on tho 'Ith in tow of tho Yaira. .Throughout thojpapsago light variablo winds and flno woathor provailed. Tlip Despatch brings a full gonoral cargo. Capfc. Ronan roports signalling tho s.s. Star of tho Evoning on tho 24th whon off Bero point. Sho was steaming to tho Northward. Information has boon rocoivod by telegram that in consoquonce of no freights offering in Dunodin for this port, tho s.s. Koera has boon taken off the berth. With roforonco to tho lato trial of spocd between tho Otago and South Australian wo aro authorised to stato that tho latter was not in good sailing trim, as hor bottom had not been oleanod for olovon months, and was exceedingly foul. Sho was ulso burning a very inferior description of coal, tho produce of a now pit. With this fuel ifc was found impossible to koop up a full head of stoam, and it' is said that this, combiued with the first disadvantage, lost hor tho race Tho s.s. Thano loft Nolson on March Ist, anchored off tho Bullor at 10 p.m. on tho 2nd, andcrossodtho bar noxtday at 11.15 a.m. After discharing a little cargo sho loft again tho saino tido and camo to an anchor in tho Groy roadstead at XI p.m. on tho 3rd. Tho noxt morn? ing whon tho sorved she ran into tho rivor, and by tho ovoniug of tho 6th had discharged 84- tons cargo and a quantity of livo stock. On tho 6th at 1 p.m. tho Thane loft tho Groy, and although a very heavy sea was breaking on tho bar, orossod it safely and arrived off Hokitika at 4 p.m. Shofbrings about 30 tons of cargo to tho port. Amongst tho cargo landed at tho Grey by tbo Thane,,was a small stoam boat of about six horso power, which was sent to Nolson from Melbourne per s.s. Barwon, oxprossly for the rivor trade of tho Groy or Hokitika. Sho is about 34 feet long, and is oxpoctod to answer well as hor draught of water will bo remarkably light. That regular trader and smart steamer tho William Miskin arrivod from tho Groy onMonday last, but through being lato on tido did not cross till Tuesday. Sho reports a very heavy break on tho Grey bar extending quite a mile into the ofllng, but steamed through it without mishap although several seas broko " aboard" hoi\ We aro sorry to heav the William Miskin is in a leaky condition, owing wo beliovo, to hor having takon tho ground when lying alongside Coal Wharf, as tho bottom thero is exceedingly rugged, being 1 covered with masses of limestono whioh woro detached from tho bank by blasting whon tho wharf was in tho courso of formation. It appears sho iinust havo at first rested insecurely on some of tlieso blocks, for as tho ticlo foil sho gave asuddon lurch and surgo which shook hor sovoroly and it is supposed startod somo of tho rivets. Siuco hor arrival in the river the William Miskin has coasod to leak, sho having through somo unoxplaiuod oauso taken up again. On Wednesday sho was hauled on the beach opposite tho wharf and carefully examined, but noithor rivet or plato was found to havo startod. Wo aro happy that this smart steamer N has sustained no damago through her lato sovoro trial, but wo aro of opinion that hor great strength alono saved hor. Tho arrival of tho p.s. Porsovoro, from Molbourno, on Wednesday, added another useful vossol to our fleet of coasting Btoamers, and one, too,, that, from hor appcaranco, wo should imagino will prove no mean acquisition to tho • port. For some timo this little boat has beon oxpootod and anxiously looked for by her agonts, Messrs. Henderson and Bonar, and wo fool muoh ploasuro in congratulating both thorn and hor commandor, Captain M'Mo^kan, on hor safe arrival bore. Tho Porsovero is a Melbourne-built paddle-wheel steamer, of 27 tons register, but with a carrying capacity under hatohos of double that amount. Hor length is 88 foot ovor all, with fourteen foot breadth of boam, and when sho is loaded draws 6 feot 6 inches of water, but whon in ordinary trim a foot less. She is fitted with a high jpvesi—o onsfir.e of 25 horso powor (built by Mr J. Sinclair, of Juna Bank, Melbourne), and is constructed with all tho latest improvements, including oxpausion goar, and Sinclair's patent stoam condenser — whioh keeps the boilor constantly supplied with hot water, and oan distil ton gallons of frosh water an hour for ship's uso, should it bo required. Tho precaution has boon takon to preserve heat, as the boiler is fitted and cased to prevent evaporation. Her captain speaks highly of her qualities us a soa boat, and states that she pan steam njnp knots m how in smooth wivtw,

account of the run from Molbourno. The Persevere loft Hobaon's Bay at midnight on the 23rd ult., with a strong westerly wind and fine woathor, which increased to a gale in tho straits. Sho passed Swan Island on the 26th, and up to tho 4th instant experienced flno weather and variable winds. At 3.36 p.m. on that dote it came on to blow heavily from the north, increasing in squalls as tho day broke. At 5.30 a.m. a heavy squall struck her, and carried away the foremast. Cleared away the wreck as soon as possible, and all that day drove beforo it. On the morning of the 6th the gale had considerably inoreasod, attended by a very heavy oross soa, which threatened every moment to poop her, so it was considered advisable to round her to until tho weather moderated. Sho lay by the wind for twenty-four hours! bohaving admirably the whole time, and at daylight on tho 6th, the galo having blown itself out, she was kept on nor course, and made the land off Bruee Bay at 1 p.m., and the next day at noon anohdrod off Hokitika, arriving safely at the wharf in tho afternoon. Tho Persevero is intended for the coasting and river trade, and is fitting with all tho necessary towing gear. She belongs to Messrs. M'Mecban and Blookwood, the owners of tho Yarra steam tug. v Tho Lionoss, p.s., arrivod from Okarita on Wednesday, having made a somewhat longer trip than is usual. Sho loft Hokitika at midnight on tho 3rd iust. with tho Lloyds Herald in tow, and arrived off Okarita at 7 a.m. next day. Sho orossed the bar at noon, but in running up tho river took the ground on a spit runumg from the wost sido of tho island, and remained bard and fast until tho morning of the 6th, when sho succeeded in clearing horsolf without having sustained the slightest damage On tho 6th steam was got up, a thorough survey made of tho north and south rivors, und at 2 p. m. the same day, with the Lloyds Herald again in tow, sho reorossed the bar through, a tremendous surf, and stoamod for, Hokitika, anchoring off the bar at 8 p.m., and reaching the wharf at noon noxt day. Tho Lioness roports tho 8.8 Challenge ashore m tho Okarita rivor, but not in a dangerous position. It was expected she would float at high water.