PORT OF HOKITIKA.

West Coast Times, Issue 174, 10 April 1866, Page 2

PORT OF HOKITIKA.

XIGtH WATBB. Tuesday M . ... 5.20 a.m. ... 5.44 p.m. ARBIVSD. April9-Rangitoto, s.b., 550 tons, Harris, from Nelson — 40 passengers, J. Whito, agent. Aparima, sclioonor, 22 tons,. Clare, from Invercargill, Swanson & Ryne, agents. . Bruco, p.s., Kerley, from Okarita — 100 passougors, and 2000 ounces gold dust, F. Groor, agent. t , , louo, echoouer, from Okarita. Matilda, sehoonor, McAben, from OWita. Koera, s.i., Joyco, (torn Jackson's BiCy via Bruce Buy. Passengors : — Saloon — Mra Carter, Oapt. Turnbull, Messrs Fishor, M'Loan, Bantley, and Shields, and 30 in tho steerage. BAILHD. April 9— Amy Robßart, brigantino, Ives, for Sydney. Jane Locfchart, brigantino, Scott-, for Syd- | my. * WTHBHD IV. Keer», from Bruco Bay. Bruce, from Okarit*. OUUBBD OUT. Keera, for Bluff and Dunedin. Bruce, for Okarita. HGfBOTHD ABBirAW. iMbella, from Duucdin. Pearl, from Dunediu. ■ Duuedin, from Dunedin, early. Hector, schooner, from Melbourne, early. Lustio Coleson, from Sydney, early. Albion, from Melbourne, to-day. BUr of tta Brening, from Melbourne 12th mi. Maru, from Melbourne, early. Mary, from Melbourno, early, ftotbinburg, from Nelson, April 11th. PBOJBCTBD DBPABTUHB3, ' Australian Maid, for Bruce Bay, to-day. Mftry Anne, for Bruco Bay, to-day. lona, for Bruce Bay, to-day. Kate, for Okarita, this day. Lapwing, for Okarita, to-day. <«Uth»nbutg, for Melbourne, April 12th. Rangitoto, for Bluff, Dunedin, and Molbourne, to-day. Albion, for Dunedin via intermediate ports, North about, to-day. Ballarat p.s., lor Groy, this day. SUr of the Evening, for Molbourne, early. TKiIKLS I!t FOBT. dohoonen — Caroline, M.eteor, Tauibo, EIGn, M*ry Jane, Moyne, Matilda, lona, Aparima. OuttoM— Mary Anno, Lapwing. Steamen — Yarva, Challenge, William Miaku^ Eeera. IMfOBTS. Par Apariraa— Kx warehouse under bond — 2 qr-caaks, 2 qr-c&ski wino, 10 cases whiskey, 15 da geneva, Order. Free goods — 2 cases billiard tables, Columache ; 1 do do Moßeatb ; 1 dray and wheels, Bush ; 12 casks bottled beer, 8 cases pickles, S chests tea, 1 box do, 2 do soap, 8 cases, 1 bag oatmeal, 10 do suga.-, 79 do potatoes, 21 do turnips, 24 do carrots, Order ; 14 casei, 1 trunk, 1 parcol, 1 package, Harnett & Co ; 1 case Mr Hay ; 1 chest, Simpson ; 10 cases bottled beer, 11 do porter, 3 do pickles, 12 do sauces, 27 cases, Morison, Law & Co ; 1 iron bedstead, Sherbert ; 3 cases, 1 keg, Order ; I case, 1 parcel, Cleave ; 1 case O'Hara ; 11 do Spence Bros ; 1 case, 4 pkgs, Binney ; 12 bells apades. 12 pkgs, Angus ; 2 trunks, Ryrio ; 3 cases, J, bag, 1 balf-cbest tea, 4 boxes, 1 tin pepper, 4 kegs brandy, 1 mat fish , Cleave ; 1 parcel, 1 gun, Mueller ; 11 bags potatoes, 2 kegs, 1 parcel, Cleave ; 8 bags onions, Coopor.

By the courtesy of Captain Turnbull we have boen placed in possession of the following valuable information respecting the far South. Mr A. H. Williamson, the gentloman from whom it is derived, •has been for many months exploring and prospecting in tho Bruce and Jackson's Bay distric's. his report therefore of the diflcreut rivorß enumerated is taken from actual observation and may be implicitly relied on. Tho lino of coast which he describes externta from Jackeon's River to Martin's Bay . Jackson's Uiver, which joius the sea five miles to the North of Jackijn's — or Tiarrawat Head, has a splendid entrance. At high water (ordinary spring tides) there is often from 12 to 14 feet of water on tho bar, and Mr Williamson says that this hnrlior is without exception the best he ban met with on the Coast. Piom Jackson's Bay South, tho first river arrived at, at all navigable for vessels of small draught, is the "Casoiidf 1 ," which is situated about 4 miles South of Catcade Point Vessels entering will find the deepest channel running close under the South point. Our in formant who has crossed it ten timo3 on rafts, always closely observed the bar and set of the current, and although at times 'here are two channels the one to the South is invariably the best and deepest. By keeping the South shore •board a small steamer »f light draught could navigate the river 10 or 12 miles inland. Four .or five milea south of Cascade River is Barn Bay, which nothing can enter larger than an ordinary boat. After running the Coast down for Bor 9 miles George River is reached. Its mouth is very nearly abreast of the southernmost Seal Backs, and has a very long narrow entrance out of which a strong current is always setting. No Teasel drawing over 3 or 4 feet could enter. Tuo next break in the Coast is the Awarua or Bif Bay. This partakes more of tho charaoter of an inlet as it is exceedingly deep. From the North Point a long tonguo of land runs out to seaward from the extreme end of which a reef of rtgks run out quite half v mile further. On this the sea constantly breaks, in bad weather Tery heavily indeed. Two riveM empty theraMlvci into Big Bay but neither are safe to enter by anything gave a whale boat well manned. Martin's Bay is next arrived at, which Mr Wil liftouon imagines is well known as be does not think it necessary to describe it. The P. N. Z. and A. R. M. Company's s.s. Eangitoto tailed from Wellington on the sth mit, at 10.30 a.m. ; and as the N. Z. S. N» Company'! e.s. Taranaki had been advertised to Mil at the same hour, she Bteamed slowly outside, that the latter might catch up, wishing to test the sailing qualities of the now boat. When about a milo from tho Heads, the Taranaki ranged up alongside, and both Ttiaelt started undor full stoam, and, when the Heads were reached, and tho vessels parted on their respective courses, tho Eangitoto was a longth ahead of her antagonist j but %m the distance was so small, the trial could hardly be considered conclusive. The Rangitoto ran acrois the straits to Picton in four •nd • half hourt — the quickest passa^o on »eodrd,~and left Pioton on the sth, at 4 a.m., •criring at Nelson at 12.40 a.m. on the 6ih. Jtemained at Nelson until the Bth, wheu at If .80 p.m.,.Bhe loft for Hokitiku, and reached Jafewell Spit at 4 p.m. Tho Groy Rivor was psuod at 1.15 a.m., and tho anchor let go of tfcu port at 3.15 p.m. During the run from Kelson, strong breozos from tho southward •nd a heavy head sea woro experienced. The Bruce, p.s., arrival from Okarita yosterday, having been *bsen t sinco Wednesday laafc. Her dolay was occaa toned by the staLo of tho Okarita bar. which i'or two days was impassable. The Bruce left Hokitika on tho 4fth initant, at about 4 p.m., 1 wid after a plearant run arrived off Okarita afc 2 a.m. tho next morning, and anchored. At L 1 - a ' ra< B ' lo ran in, andorossod the bar, and find m & *° ur yes ' W« waiting to ba towod out, »he 1 lfc once a6^' •ned to the Matilda and lona, ant, ' con7o y, e d them Ugother outside. Sho then mi mediately rttwwdimd picked up th» F««ny^ i Fwry,

on.l n-iiiin faced tho bur, but unfortunately, through lirr tow keeping a litllo too far to tho north, the Fairy took tho ground. This mishap compelled tho Bruco to sli|) the tow- lino, although sho immediately br.oked asttrn, rcfastoncil to tho Funny, and carrivd hi'i* clear of tho break. In tlio meant inio (not being vo \ hiird aground) tho Fuiry worked of and returned into the river. The B. iky also ran in ugaiu and remained at. her moorings during th 1 remainder of the day. Tho noxfc morning (Friday) a trcmoiulous surf was breaking on tho bfir, most clFect iinlly working up tho harbor, and tho samo pinto of ullairs < ontinued all duy Saturday and Sunday. On tho evening of tho dtiy last named, however, the sea wont down a little, ho taking advantage of tho "start" the Bruca pushed through it, and with ono hundred passenger** on board, aud 20dO ozs of gold shippod by the Bank of New South Wales, steamed for Hokitika, coming to her anchor outside the bar at 7 p.m., and at morning tido on the 9th instant ran in and reached the wharf safely. Tho Bruce reports that on tho sth inst., tho Lionosi with tho Lloyds Herald in tow steamed iuto Okarita, but both vessels grounded, tho ketch outsido the North Spit, tho Lioness inside. Thoy howovor both got; off again, but the Lloyds Herald took the ground again almost on tho exact spot just vacated by the tug, and had to disohargo tho greatest portion of her cargo ero sho floated. When tho Bruco loft Okarita both of thoso vessels woro still lying in the river. Sho also Btatos that tho Johu Mitohel had be»n rolaunohod and was safe at anchor inside, whore tho James Paxtonwas also moored waiting for an opportunity to bo tewed out by tho Lioness. The Keera, s.s. , left Hokitika at 8 p.m. on the sth inst bound to Milford Sound, but under orders to search the coast thoroughly on her way for a party of men who were seen by the Barwon, s.s., when passing by, and who it was supposed were shipwrecked and distressed mariners. At 2 am. on tho 6th she was abreast of Bruce Bay, and at 11 a.m. arrived at Jackson's Bay, where the anchor was let go and v boat dispatched on shore. Here to their astonishment they fell in with the parties to whose relief they had been dispatched and who proved to be diggers out prospecting and not shipwrecked seamen. However, as two of the number desired to return to Hokitika they wero at once conveyed on board, and at midnight the Keera up anchor and steamed out of the Bay with tho intention of proceeding to Milford Sound, and thus fulfil the terms of her contract. At the time of her departure the weather wa9 fine with light breezes from the SW. although heavy lightning in the SW. gave unmistakeable warning of an approaching gale. At 2 a.m. it burst suddenly upon her from tho S.W., increasing considerably as Cascado Point was opened upon, and as at 6 a.m. it was found that little head-way had boon inado since she left Jackson's, and also that thero was no appearance of a change, it wus, after mature consideration, deemed advisable to boar up for Bruco Bay and abandon any further prosocution of the expedition, which cortainly torininatcd at Milford Sound. The helm was accordingly put up and tho Koora ran before tho gale making oxcollent weather of it. At 10 a.m., however, tho feed-pipo fouled, whica compolled hor to blow off steam and trust to canvass alone, and ulthough this mishap delayed her to v certain extent, Bruco Bay was reached by 330 p.m. The damage to her fced-pipo having beon repaired, she at 8 a.m. on tho Bth loft with about thirty passengers, and at 630 p.m., anchored off Hokitikn, and at next tido time crossed tho bur safely. The Keora roports that, on tho 3rd instant, tho Amast, whaler, six months out from Sydney and not a barrel of oil in, loft Jackson's Bay for Milford Sound. Threo of her boats wero away bay whaling, ouoofjthem being at Big Bay. tho othor two at Milford Sound. On tho sumo day that tho Amhorat left Jackson's Bay tho Maid of Erin, schoonor, arrived from Dunodii). Aftor discharging twenty-five tons of cargo and a seoro of sheep, and also landing about fifteen pnssongeiM, who sailed for Bruco.Bay and Greymouth. It. is stated that sho X'an into Bruco Bay, and after shipping Bomo twenty-fivo pussengors, proceeded to hor final port of destination.

Friday last tho Ballarat left this port for Oroymouth, but in consequence of tho late unfavorable weather was unablo to enter thut rivor until Sunday Might, whon she steamed in, and in spito of. tho hoavy surf running crosiod tho bur in stylo and reached tho mooring placo without mishap.

The schooner Aparima left InvcrcnrgiU on the 31st ult, with southerly winds and fine weather, and ou the 3rd insfc ran into Jnckeon'g Bay. where she found the schooner M;\id of Erin und the Petrol cutter bound to Invercnrgill, the formor to Greymouth. After discharging about six tons of cargo at Olevo's store, she left on the 6th arriving off this port oiv the 7th, hut owing to the unfavorable weather »ho did nob reach tho wharf until the 9th when she was towed in by tkts Persevere. The Aparima brings a full general cargo.

Yesterday bulk was broken on board tho brignntino Harriett, und about soventy tons of cargo discharged and carted to a safe position on tho spit. It turnod out in realy splendid condition, not ovon a stain being perncpliblo on any of tho bags or boxes. Au attempt to move tho Harriott yeatorday morning, rosulted in a failure, and it U determined to wait until to-morrow, when so much dead weight having in tho meantime been removed, it is oxpected sho will tow and heave oil' easily. Tho vossol is not in the slightest degreo damaged, and if common precaution is only takon to proven fc her beinghovo up any higher on tho beaoh wo believe thero is nothing to prevent her being safe alongside tho wharf in tho courao of a day or two.