HOKITIKA

West Coast Times, Issue 243, 3 July 1866, Page 2

HOKITIKA

This Dxx -.— 2.3 a.m. ; P- s '» Kerley, from Okarita. HJP SAILED. ETjoly 2.—- AuoSknd, n.s., Hagley, for Nelson. [v/ -..jAnoJdana 1 , a.8., 533 tons, Hagley, from Nolg^ion. Passengers*— saloon : His Honor the !ysuper*teadont (Mr Moorhouse), Mr Reid, £ Mid 80 in the fore cabin. South Au«tralLm, b.b., 436 tons, Pain, from Nelson. Passengers — saloon : Mr and Mrs Philips and family, MrßNulis and family, Mrs Scanhn and child, Mrs Paterson and 5 children, Miss Bolindor, Mrs Ryan and 2 chil-dren.-ilessrs Smjthers, Munson, Crate, Biaaell, Drake, Leon, Graham, Sherrard, Warren, Gillea, Higgins, Byrne, Chambers, Bain, and l£o in the segond cabin. CI£ABEB OUT. Auckland, a.s v for Melbourne, with original <*rgo. Passengers— saloon : Mr and Mrs Moorp, Meiers Harrison, Miohael, Lynch, Brood, Knight, Hallsjiny and 20 in the second BitSCTED ABBIVAU3. Alma, from Melbourne, daily. yiorunce, from Melbourne, early. MoyciJ, from Melbourne, early. Punodin, from Dunedin, early. ' Isnballo, from Dunedin, early. Jano Lockhart, from Sydney, early. Keera, from Dunedin. Gothecnbu*?, *Vom Melbourne, to-day, Claud d'.v'Wn, from Nelson, to m Mary, &ra Melbourne, tu-day. .'■; Z'it> DEPABTT7BE3. Auclrlsc :. il-r Melbourne, sfch inst. L^SSuth Auiiwimn, for Melbourne, to*day. P vt^Sßig in POST. I gcb.ool rs — sona. Elfin, Isabella Jackson, fitukbeth v L^-id, Princess Alexandra, fliwuuwdr— Yai-ra, Lioness, Challenge. IK THE BOADSTEAD. South. Australian, s.s., from Nelson. IMFOBT3. Per South Australian, from Nelson — cargo from Melbourne : 3 bales drapery, Byrne ; 3 kegs tfbacco, 1 case cigars, Soloman ; 1 case books, T. Nelson ; 5 cases books, J. L. Mun•on; 2 pair wheels, J. Gracie ; 3 pkgs, Mrs Smith ; 8 do, J. Keir & Co. ; 3 crates, 2 casks, 1 case, order ; 4 cases, J. L. Munson ; 1 bole Tyrrel & Co. ; 50 cases fruit, J. Goodair ; 14 Cftsei, Harnett k Co. ; 1 case boots, Byrne ; 1 case, Kirkpatriek & Co. ; 5 hhds eggs, Burkhart; '49 pkgs hardware, 6 pkgs, A. Shaw & Co. ; 3 hhds eggs, Dunning Bros. ; 2 qr-caska whisky, order. The P.N.Z. and A.R.M. Co.'s s.s. Auckland left Nelson aft 6 p.m. on the 25th ult., with ' light variable winds and fine weather. At midnight Cape Farewell was rounded, and as the next day came in the breeze settled into the westward, accompanied by very thick wea» ther, and by noon "blow a hard gale, which increased in squalls, attended by a heavy and a rising sea. At 4 p.m. a furious gale from N. to W.N.W. was blowing, and as by dead reckoning the latitude of Hokitika was reached, ahe eased her engines and rounded to with her head off shore, under double-reefed topsails and main staysail, the weather being too thick to allow- a glimpse of land. Tho 27th broke gloomily, as the gale continued unabated fromN. to W., and in the squalls blowing a hurricane. Torrents of rain also fell, and much lightning was seen. At 3.30 p.m. sighted Hokitikt, but in consequence of the awful sea running, the steamer kept her offing. On the 28th the gale abated, and was followed by variable winds ; the sea, Kewever, continued high. At 10 a.m. she stood in, and commuaicated with the shore, but found the bar im passable, so once more made an offing, and the gale again springing up, hove to under storm canvas. During the next two days she kept dear of land, battling with the gale, which blew terrifically, raising a mountainous sea. On July 1 the gale broke, and at 6 a.m. had ■o much moderated that she ran in to the land, and arrived abreast of Hokitika at 11 »jn. Signals were again exchanged with the •here, when she found herself doomed to tvonty-four hours further sojourn outßide, as the bar waa atiU impalpable. Kept under e*sy Bteain until the next dat, when the , Lioness ran outsido and transhipped her passengers. The Auckland has experienced a «ever» time of it since leaving Nelson, having unfortunately fallen in with one of those spells of bad weather which occasionally (but not often) viiit this coaßt during the winter month*. We exceedingly regret her pro- , traefced detention, and hope that her next visit i to the West Coast will be made under more I favorable auspicee. Having been six days ■ outride, it is not surprising that her cpals ■•htfuld have run short, which has compelled Hher to run back to Nelson for a fresh supply. left directly her passengers were traubut intends calling here on her way pRo Melbourne, and will leave the roadstead for that port on Thursday next the sth inst. The t,to South Australian left Hobson's Bay »t 4.40 p.m. on the 13th ult., with strong •suterlr breezes and fine weather. Cleared ih» he»ds at 7.80 p.m., and Bass's Straits early x the next mo "fling. On the 15th, the wind y h*uled into the westward, and oommeneed to T)low up, tike sea also «apidly rising, and by the next day had increased to a severe gale, •tended by 6. high cross sea. On the 17th, tt blow v hurricane, the sea on being terrific, and at running the vessel with •ftfety was impossible, she waa brought to th« wind under storm canvas, and theenginea stopped. ' Remained hove-to until 7 a.m. tiie next day, when, the gale having moderated, she waa kept away again, and at 4 p.m. flighted the land about Chalky Inlet, and Dog l«l»nd light at 10 p.m. Not deeming it safe through the Straits in the dark she ■Bp hove-to until daylight, and then kept on course, and the passage through safely ■Fected. Bluff Harbor waa reached at 7 a.m. Kn the 19th, where she discharged" 60 tons ■of cai-go, and left for Otago at 4h. 50m. W p-m., arriving at Port Chalmers at 7 a.m. r the noxt day. On the 23rd, at sh. 30m. p.m., •he left, and after a pleasant run of sixteen hours and a-Wf anchored in Lyttleton harbor at ten a.m. on the 24th. Left Lyttel-' ton for Wellington at 5 p.m. the same day, 6rrivinz there the next morning, strong head I wind auii sea having been experienced durI ing tho run. Sailed for Nelson on the I evening of the 26th> and arrived off the I por.t at 4 p.m. on the 27th. Left for HoI Stilaka at 8 a,m. the next day, and rounded to off the bar at noon on the 29th; strong S.W. breeze 3 and heavy sea having prevailed throughout tho passage. On communicating with the shore she found the bar was impassable, so stood to sea, and hove-to during the heavy gale of the 30th, which was accompanied by tremendous squalls and high sea. On July Ist sho ran ia, but although the day was fine she was unable to communicate with the shore — save

by signal— through the heavy surf running. The day after, however, the bar being pronounced passable, she was waited upon by the Lioness steam-tug, and relieved of 150 passengers. The South Australian brings 40 tons of cargo to this port, which (weather permitting) will be landed to-day.

The dulness which has prevailed during tho past week was agreeably dispersed yesterday morning by the report that the sea had at ■ last gone down, and the bar was again passable. A visit to the beach confirmod this pleasing news, although an angry roller would vow and then break in tho outer lino of surf, which mado the masters of the tug-boats shake their heads, and express themselves doubtfully of the chances of getting safely outside. Steam, however, waa got up by all three boats, and passengers assembled by sound of bell, as the Challenge and Yarra were to attend upon the South Australian and Auckland, whilst the Lioness" was engaged to tow out the Isabella Jackson. As tho tide made, 1 however, the sea increased a little, and at one I period during the morning there really was an ugly " tumble home." This decided the I latter vessel to remain afc her moorings, and we think she was right in so doing, as it was decidedly not a sea to tow through. But we felt somewhat surprised on hearing that both the Challenge and Yarra refused to face it, notwithstanding that the signalman gave them the red flag by way of encouragement. They, however, refused to budge, much to the astonishment of everybody, and to the infinite disgust of the South Australian and Auckland's agents, who had their passengers already shipped, and waiting to start. The whole town, moreover, was on the gui vive, expecting that his Honor the Superintendent, who was on board the Auckland, would soon land, and a deputation had been appointed to receive him when he steppod ashore from the Yarra. Another day's delay would have proved a mO3t serious iueonveHieno i to him, and, besides, it was understood that nearly 200 passengers, waiting to be conveyed *on shore, were on board the two steamers outside. These facts were urged upon the captains of the Challenge and Yarra, and also that through the uncertainty of the weather at this season, "to-morrow" should not bo depended on if " to-day" presented a moderate chance of success. All was, however, of no avail to alter their determination, and the hope of receiving Mr Moorhouse was on the point of being abandoned, when Captain Whitford, of the Lioness, volunteered to take his vessel acioss the bar, and tranship passengers from both steamers if the agents would come to terms with him. As those terms were most moderate, the bargain was soon concluded, and steam being already up, the outward passengers were hurriedly transhipped from the other tugs and the Lioness ready to start. This procedure was anything but pleasing to the Challenge and Yarra, who thus seeing an excellent job slipping from them, suddenly altered their minds and commenced whistling furiously, us a signification they were also ready. It was, however, too late, and we could not help feeling amused at their evident chagrin, and trust it will be a lesson to them for the future not to mistake mole-hills for mountains ; foi 1 , whilst we are the first to deprecate rashness, whereby human life is imperilled, we are aware how important it is to Hokitika that ocean steamers should receive prompt attention on their arrival outside, and as quick despatch as possible. In this instance, we believe that the hesitation displayed by Captains Nicholl and Wilson was occasioned leas by the absolute surf running than by the uncertainty touching the condition of the channel, which had not been navigated for some days. Tho " cat had to be belled'' — Captain Whitford being the man to do it ; and we think that the thanks of the community are due to him for his action of yesterday. . Ever since his arrival here he has justly borne the character of a Bkilful commander, and a lucky one as well ; and we felt pleased to see the old Lioness push from the wharf, and once more — as she has often done before — lead the way. There was, however, no sea on outside that called for any particular display of skill, for some one or two heavy rollers in the outer break, which broko on board her and slightly damaged the port pad-dle-box, little or no water was shipped. As a proof of how groundless were the fears indulged in by some on shore, that the sea would be too heavy even for boats to tranship passengers, the Lioness ran alongside the South Australian, and discharged and received passengers directly into and from that steamer, no difficulty being experienced in so doing, and not the slightest mishap occurring. Aa there was no time to lose, the Auckland was requested to use her boatß to "be smart about it," so the work of transhipping from both went on at the same time. It was 1 p.m. when the Lioness left the wharf, but so well was the work conducted that by 2.30 p.m. 150. passengers were taken from the South Australian, and 50 shipped in return, whilst 30 were received from the Auckland, and nearly as many shipped on board her. Mr Moorhouse was amongst the second boat-load from tho latter, and, upon boarding the Lioness, mingled with the crowd, an unnoticed, but evidently a close observer of the proceedings around him. Two or three gentlemen afterwards recognised him, and with them he entered into quiet conversation during the run in. Although there were quite 200 souls on board the Lioneaa, which put the old boat down in the water considerably, the bar was re-crossed, and not a bucket of water shipped. The wharf was safely reached, where an immense crowd were waiting to welcome the Superintendent, who was received on landing by the deputation appointed, whilst the Fire Brigade, which turned out in uniform, did duty as a guard of honor. Three hearty cheers were given as Mr Moorhouse stepped on shore, followed immediately 1 afterwards by three more for Captain Q-eorge Whitford and the good steam tug Lioness. As we cannot class it under the head " Imports," the cargo not having yet been entered in, we pubh'sh as a shipping paragraph the I Auckland's manifest for this port: — 10 qrcasks brandy, Reeves & Co ; 1 pkg saddlery, Ramsey & Co ; 20 bales chaff, Chesney & Co ; 13 bales chaff, Anderson ; 26 bales chaff, 22 bags turnips 12 bags cari'ot9, Boyle 5 3 cases stationery, Bank of New Zealand ; 37 kegs butter, Order ; 20 kegs butter, 50 boxes candles, Marks &Co; 16 bags onions, Boyle ; 0 kegs butter, Reeves & Co ; 4 cases, J. White.

The p.s. Bruce arrived Atom Okarita at midnight yesterday, with between thirty and forty passengera and 2000 ounces of gold dust. She has been detained in Okarita during the past week through the late weather and gales, which rendered that bar uncrossable. The .Bruce left for this port at 12.30 p.m. yesterday. We shall give fuller particulars of her trip in our next issue.

The Panama, New Zealand, and Australian Royal Mail Company's screw steamship Ruahine, which was telegraphed off Cape Otway, on Monday afternoon, about four o'clock, arrived at the Heads the same evening at eleven, where she anchored for the night, and came up the bay yesterday morning. The Ruahine is the second of the line of ocean steamers intended to perform the Transpacific mail service between Wellington, N.Z. and Panama, and her arrival in anticipation of the April mail from Enrope has been eagerly expected. This magnificent steamer, like her forerunner the Kaikora, is brig-rigged, and iB a handsome of vessels of her class. She has a sharp entrance, and a fine clean run fore and aft, and her passenger accomodation is something extensive, her maindeck births being fitted up for seventy fir B t-clas3 passengers, forty second-class, and seventy thirdclass. Her saloon, seventy-seven feet in length, is luxuriously furnished, and is fitted up with a piano, library, and plunge and shower baths, and contains almost every comfort and convenience for voyagers by the Panama route. The Ruahine iS registered at

1610 tons, and her load displacement is stated to be 2440 tons, her coal bunkers carrying 1200 tons of fuel, an amount in excess of her requirements, evon with full steam during the entire voyage. The steamer is propelled by twin screws, which can be driven together or scpararatoly, according as the vessel may have the wind, and the motive power is supplied by two pairs of engines, of tho combined nominal horse-power of 400. Tho engines have pairs of annular cylinders, with a twofeet stroke, and drive twa threo-bladed scTews, having a diameter of ter|feet and a half, and a pitch, of 18 feet 6 inches. By working the screws separately the vessel can be turned round as if on a pivot. Tho boilers are haated by ten furnaces, and are fitted with Davison's patent swface condensers. The engines are made by the builders of the steamer, Messrs J. and W. Dudgeon,' of Millwall. The Rurhine left London on April 6th, and called at Plymouth, leaving that port on the Bth, and arriving at St. Vincents on the morning of the 18th. From Plymouth to St. Vincents strong contrary winds and fine weather were met with. Tho steamer left St. Vincents on the evening of the 21st, and had light N.E. trades to the equator, which was crossed on April 27, In long. 4 deg. 29 mm. W. Strong S.E. tradea wore experienced from the line to lat. 2b deg. 27 mm. S., and afterwarda strong southerly winds, with a heavy sea, to the Cape of Good Hope, where she arrived on May 11. The passage of the Ruahine from the Capo, where Bhe left on May 16, was fearfully tempestuous, a succession of rotatory gales, veering round from N.W. to S.w., having been encountered. During a heavy gale, accompanied by thunder and lightniug, on May 28, the mainyard waa carried away, two of the life-boats staved in, and considerable damage done to tho bulwarks. Tho heavy weaetah continued until the steamer was within two days of this coast. The easting was run down between the fortieth and forty-second parallels of latitude. During the whole of the untoward weather from the Cape to the Australian coast, the Ruahine gave convincing testimony of her admirable qualities as a sea-going boat, and the passengers speak highly of her capabilities in all weathers. Her conimandsr, Captaid T. S. Beal, is of some eminence in his profession, having commhnded the Queen of the South, the Harbinger, the Hellespont, and other large steam vessels. At the termination of tho voyage highly laudatory addresses were presented to Captain Beal and his officers by the passengers. — " Otago Daily Times." Tho steamship Havilah, after a most boisterous passage from Launceston, arrived in Hobßon's Bay on Saturday morning. She left at seven a.m. on the 6th instant, with a strong westerly wind, which at midnight backed into the northward, and blew a hard gale, accompanied with a heavy N.W. sea. At seven p.m. on the following day, tho wind suddenly chopped into the W.S.W. in a terrific squall j there was also much hail, thunder, acd lightning. At five a.m. of the Bth, a meteor, in appearance from eight to ten inches, exploded at the vessel's masthead with as loud a report as a cannon. It was followed almoat immediately by a tremendous clap of thunderj fearfully heavy squalls continued to blow at short intervals until eight a.m., the wind veering in the squalls from S.W. to W.N.W. At eight p.m. the gale moderated, but a very confuaed sea still existed. Tho barometer was not lower during the heaviest of the weather than 29.45. — "Melbourne Age," June 11. The schooner Eliza Simpson, for dreymouth, and Lady Franklin, for Okarita, are both anchored off Carey's Bay, awaiting a I favorable opportunity to proceed to sea. — j " Otago Daily Timeß," June 22. As a proof of the promptitude of Sir William Wiseman, we learn that a letter was received by the last Wellington mail, from the officer in command of H.M.S. Eclipse, in which Mr Clarke is informed that orders have been given by Commodore Wiseman for tho search of the Weat Coast of the Middle Island of New Zealand for miasing Teasels, and that the Eclipse has been ordered to Auckland to fill up with provisions and stores, and will then proceed on that mission. Captain Freeman says he shall spare no trouble to ascertain whether any of his unfortunate brother Beainen are yet living in the Sounds of the Middle Island, and promises to send extracta from his log, but fears, aa far as Capt. Clarke and the Sangalier are concerned, they will only be records of a fruitless search. — " Hobart Town Mercury," June 11.