THE MONTH.

West Coast Times, Issue 359, 16 November 1866, Page 2

THE MONTH.

The fire engine for the Hokitika Brigade was landed from tho Alma on the 18th ult, nnd in the evening at seven o'clock tho members of the Brigade mustered in force to convey it to the engine-house in Revell street. The <eremony of christening it, however, was first gono through, and to Mrs Mumford (Julia Mathews) was deputed the honor of naming the first fire engine ever landed upon West Coast shores. Accompanied by several lady friends, and surrounded by tho Brigade, who formed a cordon about the engine, Mrs Mumford performed her part by breaking a bottle of champagne and naming the engine the "Victoria." She declared that it afforded her much gratification to officiate upon such an auspicious occasion, but trusted the town would be long spared that calamity which would bring the services of the engine into requisition. Mrs Mumford was responded to by three hearty cheers from the Brigade, which were followed by three more for the fair lady, and three for the " little Mumfords." The engine was then removed to the edge of the wharf, for the purpose of testing its powers, and the result was most satisfactory, as a jet of water — which reached halfway to Revell street — was thrown over Messrs Royse, Mudie, and Co.'s store, and the Swan Hotel. Then the order to limber up was given, and at double quick time the engine was dragged along Revell street to the Odd- Fellows' Hotel, where the Brigade went, through dry practice, and then returned to the engine-house. The evening's proceedings were a great success throughout, and we congratulate the Brigade in having secured such an excellent machine. Captain Millard assures us that it is perfect of its kind, and in capital condition, and being light and easily managed just the thing required for Hokitika. It is one of the many constructed by Mr Merryweather, whose fame as a builder is so wide spread. We, however, heartily echo the wish expressed by Mrs Mumford, that the services of the engine may never be required in this inflammable town. The Christchurch papers contain accounts of heavy floods in the Avon and Waimakariri, and which appears to have exceeded in violence any with which they have been previously visited. The flood in the Avon was at its height about twelve o'clock on the night of Friday, the 12th ult,, at which time large masses of watercress and other floating matter were coming down with the stream, and men were placed at places where a block was likely to occur, with hooks and poles ready to clear any stoppage that might occur. The streets inundated at Kaiapoi were, on the north side — Sewell street partially, Beswick street entirely, Jones street, Charles street, and Cass street, all partially. On the south side — Raven street and Rich street partially, Fuller street, Ackroa street, and Otaki street entirely, Peraki street, Ohoko road, and Black street partially. The flooding of all these streets was mainly attributable to culverts deficient in size, or without proper floodgates, by which the' water backed up on the low lands, while in the ease of those on the north side the evil was increased by the lowness of the banks of tho river. The Nelson "Colonist" informs us that the Committee appo : nted to take steps ior the erection of a t.iitable monument over the graves of the five murdered men buried in Nelson Cemetery, have selected from some thirteen designs submitted to them, one by Mr Tbeophilas Mabille, C.E. This is a graceful pentagonal column tapering towards the summit, springing from a pedestal which rests on a series of «tey>s in excellent proportion with the shaft above. The design ran be executed in three different scales costing proportionately, LI SO, L2OO, and L 270. At the last named price the monument would be twenty-three feet high, and the committee resolved to have the largest si c, provided sufficient funds were raised to mccl the expense The five sides of the pedestal will bear the names of the several murdered men, the name of each being engraved on the tablet, while midway up the shaft will be v. garland carved on each side of the pentagon. The work will be in substantial stone, and it is admitted that the design is the most graceful that was shown. There were many chaste designs, from the simple obelisk, to the florid decorative imitation of the emblems of woe in the famous Parisian cemetery of Pere la chaise ; and from the unadorned upright stone to the fluted column, carefully broken at the top, which, though a pretty, is, at the best a purely artificial conceit. We take the following from the " New Zealand Advertiser " (Wellington) of the Bth ult. : — " One of those graceful tributes which are not altogether an empty reward for bravery, was paid by the House of Representatives, on Saturday evening, to Commodore Wiseman nnd the officers and men of Her Majesty's navy who have served in New Zealand. A vote of thanks by the Parliament of a country is always considered to be one of the highest honors that can be conferred upon any individual, and we doubt not that the gallant Commodore, on quitting our shores will think no worse of New Zealand and its colonists, when he takes with him the thanks of their representatives for the services he has done. For the officers and men of the fleet we can do no better than use Mr Stafford's words, and say that while there may have been some question as to the valuable services that the land forces have rendered, there never has been any with regard to those of the navy. Those who have lived through the last six years of war in this oountry need no reminder of the unshaken bravery of the officers and men of England's navy, over which there has never yet passed a shadow of doubt. The thanks voted in Parliament will find an echo in every heart throughout the colony, and the memory of " the war" will never be dissociated from the memory of the gallant seamen who helped to fight for us. The cutter Elizabeth, belonging to the Lockhart line of traders, arrived from Sydney OH the 19th ult, after a smart run of seven days from land to land. She cleared the heads of Port Jackson on the 10th, with westerly winds and fine weather, and being favored during the passage by steady breezes from N.W. to S.W., sighted the New Zealand coast on the 17th. Light a ; rs and calmß kept her outside until the 19th, when she ran in and anchored, and on the evening's tide was towed to the wharf by the Yarra. The Elizabeth, a smart-looking 33 ton cutter, was purchased by Mr Lockhart expressly for the Westland coasting trade. She has all the appearance of a quick traveller, which her passage from Sydney fully bears out. Captain Mason, formerly of the brigantine Colonist, commands her. The s.B. Kennedy left Nelson at 5 p.m. on the 18th ult., with pleasant northerly weather. Rounded the Sand Spit at 10.30 p.m., and Cape Farewell at 1 a.m. the followingmorning, when the wind hauled to the Westward, with a chopping head sea. Same day arrived off the Buller, and crossed the bar at 5 p.m. ; leaving again at 7.15 p.m., and brought up off this port at 4.30 am. on the 20th. Ran inside on the morning's tide, and discharged earpo and passengers ; leaving for Greymouth in the evening. The Kennedy reports, that when oft" Cape Farewell Spit she spoke the three masted schooner Little Fred, from Dunedin, bound to Hokii ika. The latter experienced heavy weather on the East Coast, and was compelled to put into Port Hardy in a leaky condition. The brigantine Sarah Pile arrived in the roadstead on Sunday night from Sydney, having made a remarkably quick passage from land to land. She left on the 15th ult., and sighted the coast about Grej mouth on the 21st, thus making the run in cix days. The Sarah Pile is consigned to Dunedin, but called off this port with passengers — 70 in number — whioh were landed by the p.s. Challenge on Monday morning. The largest escort yet returned from the Waimea district, arrived in town on the 13th ult. The quantity of gold brought down amounted to 3500 ounces, being the fortjjightly return.

TheP.N.Z. and A.R.M. Co.'s s.s. Rangilolo, G-. Duvke, commander, left Hohson's Buy Railway Pier at 6 p.m. ou the 13th ull., and anchored off this port nt 5 p.m. on the 18th. The run across was marked by light southwest winds and fine weather. She brought 8 saloon and 89 steerage passenger*. The following are tho District Gaol returns, as supplied by Mr Dalo, for the week ending Saturday, October 13th: — Admitted on committal, one male ; discharged, one debtoi\ Tho numbor and classification of prisoners confined in the gaol at the above date are as follow : — Committed for trinl, nine males ; Undergoing sentence of hard lub-jr, twentyfive males ; simply imprisoned, two males debtors, 3 ; — total, thirty-nine males. Another fatal accident occurred m Maori Gully Arnold River District, whereby a nvner named Dcnia Sullivan lost his life, ilt appears that on the 81 h ult deceased was working at his claim underneath the terrace, when suddenly a heavy slip came away from the bank and completely buried him. Ho was exhumed shortly afterwards, but so much injured that death resulted in an hour. An inquest was hold upon tho body next day, when, from the evidence adduced, it was shewn that he was a native of tho County Kerry, Ireland, and had no relatives in the colony. A verdict of Accidentally Killed was returned. A meeting of the shareholders of the Maori Reserve Gold-mining Company (Limited) , was held on the evening of the 1 5th ult. at M'Guire and Lynch's Swan Hotel. Mr Higgins was called to the chair. The minutes of the former meeting were read and confirmed. The secretary's report was read, and pronounced satisfactory, as shewing that the company was making good progress. The tender for cutting the tail race was accepted, and the manager was instructed to see thnt operations were immediately commenced. It was also suggested and resolved, that the deed of association should be at once prepared, and the scrip issued. A notice has been issued by the Greneral Post Office that " from and after the despatch of the European mails via Suez, in Noveir ber next, all letters and book packets from New Zealand, addressed to the United Kingdom, the Continent of Europe via the United Kingdom, America, and the West Indies, will be transmitted invariably by way of Panama, unless specially directed to be sent otherwise. The balance-sheet of the New Zealand Stenm Navigation Company shows a loss on the halfyear of £2651, Mr Crosbie Ward, who is on his way to Sydney, with- the object of settling, if possible, the differences between the Government of that colony and our own respecting the contract for the Panama Mail Service, called in at Hokitika, en route, and was present at the tramway festivities on the 26th ult. at which he spoke, and was well received. Our Government is quite right in attempting to get these differences settled, as it is mischievous in every way that tho misunderstanding that Ins arisen should be prolonged ; and we know of no one wove likely to succeed in the task than the gentleman we have named. It was statedlatelv by t>e Christchurch papers that MrWard was about to return to England in consequence of ill health, and that he had taken the precaution of placing his resignation in the hands of Mr Moorhousc, to be sent in if he should not be able to return by next session. We sincerely trust thnt tho voyage will restore Mr Ward to health, for the colony can ill spare the services of so able a politician. Not to be deterred by the flooded state of the Arahu-a on the 26th ult, three horses and a dray, in which were three men attempted to ford the river in the evening, and but lor the prompt assistance rendered by some boatmen they must have perished. The dray entered the' river at the upper crossing plane, ami barely reached mid -stream wlien.it was swept into the i\ipi<?a and capsized ; the body being broken up. the wheels and shafts alone remaining attached to the horse. The three men were of course washed out, but helfl fast to the wreck, and were rescued by boats which immediately pushed off to their assistance. One of the parties named Butler clung to one of the wheels, but exhausted and numbed was on the point of releasing his hold when he was seized and dragged into a bout, almost insensable. The schooner Florence sailed from Hobson's Bay, with light N.W. winds and plea : sant weather, on the 17th ult., and passed through Port Philip Heads the same day. Cleared the Straits on the 19th, and hence to the New Zealand coast experienced light westerly weather and smooth water. Sighted land about Mount Cook on the 28th, the weather thick and rainy at the time, with very little wind. Beins< caught by a northerly current, she was swept up the coast above Greyniouth, and did not reach the anchorage until the 30th The Florence brings a full general cargo. The schooner Isabella left Manukau on the 2-ith ult., with moderate N.W. winds and fine weather. After she gained the offing, the breeze fell away, and continued light and scant until the 28th, on which day Cape Farewell was passed. Hence to the roadstead moderate breezes from the eastward were experienced. The Isabella came to an anchor on the 31st, and was towed inside by the Yarra a few hours afterwards. She brought a cargo of timber. The p.s. Challenge, having the schooner Tambo in tow, left the river on the 31ult bound to the Pakihi. Tho latter fully ladeu with a mixed cargo, was the first vessel to clear at the Customs direct for the new diggings. The P.N.Z. and A.R.M. Co.'s s.s. Airedale, W. H. Meikleham, commander, left Manukau on the 18th ult, and arrived at Taranaki the following day, where she discharged 78 tons of cargo, and sailed again the same afternoon for Nelson ; reached that port at daylight on the 20th, and same day transhipped forty-one passengers into tho s.s. Lord Ashley, for the West Coast, and twenty-three into the Rangitoto, for Southern ports ; remained at Nelson for five days, and sailed for Hokitika at 10 p.m. on the 25th, and brought up in the roadstead at 3 a.m. on the 271h, The Airedale brings thirty -three passengers, but no cargo. She sailei for Sydney the same night. On Saturday the 27th ult, the p.s. Yarra conveyed passengers and 4000 ounces of gold, shipped by the Bank of New Zealand, on board the Airedale, at 11 p.m., and then accompanied tnat steamer to the Grey, where she arrived at 3 a.m. on Sunday ; transhipped cargo and passengers out of the Airedale, and ran in to the river at 11 a.m., 'and after discharging her load she took on board 8000ozs of gold (Bank of New South Wales) and a few passengers, which she transferred to the Airedale, and then steamed for Hokitika. On arriving in roadstead she found the Albion, s.s., waiting to be tendered, so at once 'ran alongside of her, and received on board between seventy and eighty passengers, and the English mail, with which she made for the river, reaching the transit shed at 3.30 .p.m. The Yarra reports the Grey bar to be in excellent condition, as the channel runs straight out, and when she sounded it contained two fathoms and a half of water. The surf was unusually light, so much so that several open sailinglioafs, laden with passeugers and goods for the Pakihi, crossed the bar under canvas oh Sunday. The ketch Jane Elkin, coal laden, bound to this port, also seized the advantage thus offered to save towing expenses. The Sergeant in charge at Ross comments , as follows, in his report for the fortnight ending October 15th :—": — " Little or no change has taken place in mining matters since the date of former report, but there is a decided tendency on the part of sluicers to rate the value of their terrace claims at a lower estimate than that which the first returns appat rently warranted. This reaction is, in a greameasure, caused by the high price demanded for water by the head race companies, L 8 per week being the figure charged for the use of an ordinary box sluice head. As this quantity id not sufficient to effectually do the work

required, the weekly oxpenie inrunvd for .-» wntur only amounts on an average to between n LlO and Ll2,aud, in consequence, some of the t . f poorer claims have been abandoned, failing to # p, return even small wages. A great influx of „{ the new arrivals, who lately landed at Ilokii ika, w has added considerably to tho already largo t,l population of this district. The greatest part w of them, however, are doomed to idleness, no j new ground having opened to givo them oin- (\ ployment. During tho fortnight no crime w was reported as hnvin<* taken place in the st district." C( The last cylinder of tho wharf-extension tit Wellington was driven home on Saturday,* j, the 20lh ult, and tho fact was announced by w hoisting a flag on the large sheer-legs above f it. The accommodation for shipping will be f, greatly increased b> this addition, and the ond r , of the wharf now runs into such deep water r , that the Panama Bteamers will be able to a come alongside the outer T. As that portion w will be especially devoted to vessels of large d tonnage, it has been made extra strong by constructing its harbor front and tho extremi- r j ties of the arms with immense cylindei'3, c . sunk into their places by means of a pneu- a matic apparatus and heavy weights, and then 0 bound together by diagonal girders, and faced p with large baulks of timber as fenders n Amongst tho items of intelligence supplied n us by the Bruce, from her first trip g to Pakihi, was the drowning of two fc] miners on the 22nd ult, whilst attempt- t< ing to cross a river which intersects the coast, V i about three miles to the northward of the tl Pakihi rush. The names of the unfortunate ii men are not known. Another fatal occurrence tc happened the same week which resulted in the j death of another miner. It appears that, accompanied by his mate, he was travelling j along the coast towards the Pakihi rush from w Greymouth. They arrived at the place p known by the name of Jacob's Ladder, which g is a high cliff that has to be surmounted by ti the aid of a chain ladder (placed therg we w belive by the Nelson Government). The h ascent was safely made, but in attempting to D descend the other side one of the men lost his t( hold, fell from the giddy height, and was Q killed on the spot. a We are informed by the " Grey River t] Argus " that a boat accident, which resulted ]j fatally to one man, occurred on the Buller w River on Friday, the 12th ult. The boat s was comiug down from tho Inangah.ua, and p capsized in one of the rapids. All the men in her but one managed to save themselves ; tl the other, a miner named Charles Bodle, for- ai merly a storekeeper on the Otago diggings, tl being drowned. r j We learn from the " Daily Times," of the <j 15th ult, that the Manuherikia district w was visited by a heavy flood on the 11th inst. 0 All communication was interrupted for forty fc ( hours. * The crossing places at Beck's and w Black's were impassable, and at both places fl , much damage was done. Farms on the Ma- tl nuherikia Flat were totally swept away, and iV houses, hut", and tents demolished. The q occupants had to flee for their lives. Several s | had \ery narrow escapes. The limning of the fl GroldenGiite Company, at the G-orge, and tho q Golden Sunshine Company's dam, were car- 8 ] ried away, and the flood and tail races flooded n up. Tho water was within two and a half s | feet of being on a level with Black's town- 0 ship. At Lower Manuherikia, the flood was i equally destructive. The river rose thirty b feet, and several occupants of premises were v clinging all night to the roofs. Simmons l t Bridge, and G-lass & Co.'s fluming were all _ washed away. Lester's punt broke adrift, but fc] fouling the cable of the Alabama Company's f. dredging machine, was caught. The escort Sl with difficulty crossed the Manuherikia at. D Low's, on Saturday night;. The road between w Clyde and Cromwell has been much damaged. r i It rained heavily, without intermission, ,from c 4 a.m. till 6 p.m. the same- day. Mining g operations generally were suspended. The tl total damage done was enormous. A number w of persons will be totally ruined." The fastest trip on record from this port to 1Okarita and back has been made by the 8 p.s. Bruce, which left the river on the 30th Cl ulfc., at- 5 p.m., and returned to the roadstead a at 10 p.m. on the following day, thus making the ruu to and fro in thirty hours. She crossed the 0 Okarita bar at early tide on the 30th ult; tl discharged a large cargo, and received on board el gold and passengers, aud left again at 4 p.m., r , arriving off the port as above, and entered the \j river on the Ist inst. The Bruce had on b freight 1672 ozs. of gold consigned to the Bank ci of New Zealand, and shipped 30 passengers at w Okarita. H The schoouer Prince Consort sailed from p Lyttelton on the 26th ult., with moderate S. b winds and fine weather. Off Kaikoras the breeze veered into the S.E., bringing up thick j, rainy weather, which shut the land in, until n she breasted Terawri Heads. Hence to Cape r j Farewell, steaay breezes and ha\y. Passed c the Cape at 11 a.m. on the 29ch ; there the p wind failed her, and during the remainder of ij the passage light variable weather was expo- g rienced. She anchored off the bar at 7 p.m. fc] on the Ist instant, and -the following morning was towed insido by the Challenge. The M Prince Consort brings a full general cargo. n The s.s Kennedy left Nelson on the 29th, a ult., at 4 p.m., with light variable winds and B( clear weather. Made a good run round 'he S i Cape, and arrived at the Buller at 5.30 p.m. fi next day. Entered the river that night, and ti next day discharged sixty tons of cargo, and tl sailed again for the Pakihi at 2 p.m., where p she lauded twenty passengers and a few tons r J of cargo, and at 7 p.m. steamed for Hokitika, d and arrived off the bar at 5 a.m. on the Ist inst. ti entering the river at tide time. Tho Kennedy C( brought a few tons of cargo, and experienced t< scant winds and fine weather throughout the v trip. On her way down she passed the p.s. a Nelson nine miles south of the Pakihi. v The 'schooner Jane Anne sailed from Mcl- tl bourne on the 26th ult., with moderate S.W. ft winds and fine weather, favored by which she t] made a smart run through the Straits, taking p her last departure next (lay. Steady breezes tl from N". to N.W. carried her to within a day's b sail of the New Zealand coast, when the wind a shifted into the west and began to freshen. In p an hour it was blowing a hard gale, increasing in squalls as it veered to the S.W., and raised n a very high sea. Ran before it that night, and tl ou the following day sighted land about Grey- ti mouth, and* arrived off Hokitika on the sth. b As the weather looked threatening at nightfall she stood to sea again, and remained outside c: until the morning of the 7th, when she ran in, o and being fastened to by the Challenge, h reached the wharf in due course. The Jane C i Anne reports that when in lat. 1<1*45 S. long. (\ 157 E., she sighted, on the 30th ult., a brig- a ringed steamer standing to the westward, v supposed to be the Taranaki, hence to Mcl- tl bourne. f t Three thousand five hundred ounces of gold b dust was brought up by the escort from Ross a on the 18th ult. Of this amount, 1500 ozs. tl was purchased by tho Bank of New Zealand, c ] 1000 ozs by the Bank of New South Wales, aud n 1000 ozs by the Union Bank. 0 On Sunday morning, the 21st ult., w Divine Service was held for the first n time in that beautiful little building ai lately erected under the supervision of the si Church of England Committee. The la Venerable Archdeacon Harper, who arrived si from Christchurch on Saturday night, com- a: menced his ministry in Westland by officiating q on the occasion, and held forth to a very large h and respectable congregation, the great proportion of which hold sittings in the Church. II Service was again held in the evening ; the q attendance being equally as good, /.lorning fi and evening services were also held at rhe b; Wesleyan and Presbyterian Churches. Tn bl consequence of the absence of the Rev. .M» V M'Girr, who was present at the consecration oi of the new Roman Catholic Church at Ro^*-, ci there were no services at St. Mary's Chapel tt yesterday. B The establishment of a police station al. tl Stafford Ti wn was the signal for the desertion w of that locality by a groat many disreputable ef characters, who shifted their quarters to the p: more open country bordering on the sea beach pi at the foot of the' Wairaea track, Their pre- tc

.-ciicp was hoou felt there, as several tl.iriug robberie* nnd petty thefts have bten eominitted. An audacious theft was purpel rated upon an unfortunate butcher, who <lept in a small lent adjoining the shop whioh wns occupied by his partner. On Monday, the 22ud ult. he rose al- an early hour, and was absent from his domicile for a short time. Judge of his oatonishinont when returning to find the font gono, and a round of beef which was hanging (o tho ridge-pole. He made close search in tho neighborhood, but failed to discover the slightest trace of tho marauders. The schooner J. B. Ru-ael cleared Port Jackson Houds on tho 3rd instant, at 8 p.m., with strong N.E. winds and hazy weather. The land had scarcely dipped when the breeze freshened to a strong gale, and the soa roie rapidly, bringing the schooner down to closereefed mainsail and foresail. The next day, at noon, she hovo-to, and immediately afterward* a heavy sea struck her, sweeping the decks fore and aft, and smashed tho long boat. At 3 p.m. the gale increased to a perfect hurricane, necessitating a further reduction of canvas to a balance-rcefod mainsail. A 4 p.m. a tremendous squall throw the vessel on her beamencls, and for two hours she lay in that position, the sea making a clean breach over her. The gale moderated at midnight, the next day the weather settled, and up to the 9th steady easterly breezes prevailed. On that day it hauled to the westward, and hence to the land winds from N.W. and S.W. prevailed. Bold Head was sighted at 6 p.m. on the 14th, and the roadstead reached on the 16th, and the day following she was fastened to by the Challenge and towed inside. The' J. B. Russel brought a full general cargo. The barque Alma sailed from Hobson's Bay on the 30th ult., with moderate north winds and fine weather. Passed through Port Phillip Heads at 7.30 a.m., and cleared the Straits tho following day, taking a last departure from the " Sisters." On the 3rd inst. the wind veered into the east and south-east, and held there — a steady gale which several times brought the barque down to double-reefed topsails — until the 12th, on which day Mount Cook was bighted, when it veered to the north aud north-east. The Alma brought up in the roadstead the following day, but a bad bar kept, her outside until the 17th, and then she was towed to the wharf by the Challenge. She brought a full and assorted cargo, and four passengers. Although there was an ugly sea running on thel7th ult. the bar was in good working order, as the different vessels which crossed found the channel to be deep and wide, and experienced no mishap either when entering or departing. The harbor boats commenced work at an early hour ; the Challenge leading, out at 3 a.m., with the Mary, brigantine, in tow, and was shortly followed by the Yarra, which was anxious to make a long day of it, and, if possible, clear the three steamers in tho roadstead of thoir remaining passengeas and luggage. After casting off her charge the Challenge returned inside, but the Yarra stayed out until midday, and then came in with 100 passengers, and a proportionate quantity of luggage on board. She discharged, shipped passengers for the Egmont, and then made for the roadstead again ; and the transhipment ell'ected, sho received on board between forty and fifty passengers from the Taranaki, and would have clearod that vessel but for the tide which, falling rapidly, warned her to head for the bar. At noon the Challenge steamed out with the ketch Jane Elkin — the latter having been engnged te lighter the Gothenburg — and then returned for the Lizzie Coleson, and conveyed her safely to sea, the vacancy thus created at the wharf being more than filled by the barque Alma, which hung astern of the Challenge on her return to the river. The tng completed an excellent day's work by towin* out the Spray. Captains Nichol and Wilson report the channel to be \n good condition, the least water found being ten feet. The lnudal>le efforts of the Church of England community in nokitika to provide, a suitable house of worship have at last concluded, and the town can now boast of a well-situated and tastefully-erected church, whioh reflects infinite credit on the promoters of the movement, the architect who designed the building, and the contractor who erected it. The site chosen for the church reserve is in Fitzherbert-street, immediately below its junction with Stafford-street, and a better could hardly be desired, as it is within easy reach of all parts of the town, and in fine weather the walk to and from it is most delightful. The church is unpretentious in appenrance, being merely a simple wooden building, in form a parallelogram, with a high gable roof. , The building is sixty feet in length by thirty in width, with nine feet walls, and from ground to ridge is twenty-seven feet in height. It is entered on each side through low Gothic porches, which lead into a spacious hall lighted by three Gothic windows, of ground glass, at either end, and five smaller ones after the same style of architecture, on cafh side. At the eastern end is a raised platform, on which is placed the reading-desk and communion table, and f icing it, at the other end, is another platform, provided with benches, and set apart for the accommodation of Sundayschool children. This is flanked by rows of free sittings, which extend to the porch entrances, a distance of about fifteen feet from the end ; and between these, in front of the platform, are the churchwardens' sitttings. Three rows of open sittings, capable of accomodatmg one hundred and ninety people, occupy tiie body of the building. The centre now consists of thirteen settees, each constructed to seat six persons, and fourteen settees make up each side row, each settee having sitting accommodation for four persons. A curtained recess in that corner of the building on the right hand side of the communion table forms tha vestry room. In connection with the church a very commodious six-roomed parsonage has been erected in one corner of the reserve. A well-formed pathway, flanked by drains, leads from Weld-street and across and up Fitzherbert street to tho church and parsonage ; and now that its labors are over we very heartily congratulate the church committee' on tho success which has rewarded them, and tho able manner in which tho details of a most arduous undertaking have, been carried out. Gibson's Quay presented quite a scene of excitement on the 16th ult, on the arrival of the Yarra from the roadstead, a report having been industriously circulated and accepted as true, that the notorious Sullivan, dressed up with care to avoid recognition, was amongst the passengers. This caused an immense crowd to assemble, which so blocked up the roadway that, but for tho vigorous interference of the police the shed would have been inaccessible. In the middle of the crowd a number of carts were drawn up in line, and the drivers made an excellent thing of it by charging one shilling a head to parties for permission to mount, and thus obtain a good view of the prisoner when he should land. They were, however, doomed to disappointment, as no Sullivan made lus appearance. It,,was afterwards stated that he had been cleverly smuggled on shore dressed a la digger, and ladon with the usual " swag," but we can assure the public that such was not the case, and morever that, the authorities here are quite in the dark as to the probable time of his arrival. An alarm of fire was given on the night of the 16th ult. at about half past 7 o'clock, and it was quickly discovered that the spot in which the flames had broken out was a cottage occupied by Mr Ross, at the north end of Revoll street, between the Royal George Hotel and Young's residence. The Fire Brigade turned out with their usual alacrity. Owing, however, to the prompt measures taken by Captain Millard, and one or two members of the Brigade who happened to be on the spot at the lime, the services of the Brigade as a body were not required, the flames having been effectually got under before their arrival. The papor. and canvas inside the cottage were completely destroyed, but luckily this was the extent of the damage done,

By the Albion which left on the 26th ult 4 325H0z. of gold wore shipped for Melbourne by tho Bank of Now South Wales. The shipments per Airedale on the 27th ult. amounted to 4000 ozs by the Bank of Now Zealand, and on tho following day 8000 ozs wore placed on board her from tho same. Bank at Greymouth ; both parcels being consigned to Sydney. This brings up tho total amount shipped during that week to 15,250 ozs. We regret to state that Mr Eager, brother to Mr Geoffrey Eager, Colonial Trcasuror for New South Wales, was stricken by paralysis on board the Claud Hamilton, on the 20th ult. Tho unfortunate gentleman has for a long time been suffering from ill health, and leftj3ydnoy for tho purpose of trying what benefit was to be derived from the more bracing clime of New Zealand. A public meeting was held in the Princess Theatre, Dunedin, on the 15th instant, to hear addresses from Messrs Paterson and Reynolds, the representatives of the city in the General Assembly. The " Times" states that it was the most numerously attended and the most influential meeting ever assembled in Dunedin ; and, judging from the report, there can be no doubt of it rowdiness. A resolution was unanimously adopted, declaring that the fifteen members for the province ought to resign. Information has been received from Wellington that another severe engagement has taken place at Ketemarai, near Wanganui, between the rebel natives and the Colonial force under Major M'Donnell. The troops were at first repulsed, but being reinforced the next day they attacked and carried tho rebel pa, killed 7 natives, and took 25 prisoners. Major M'Donnell was dangerously wounded in the thigh. A most impudent robbery was committed at Greymouth on the premises of Messrs J. and E. Paul, between the hours of seven and ten o'clock on Tuesday evening, the 23rd ult., and a cash box containing money and several deeds and documents of value, abstracted from the counting-house. The thief or thieves had effected an entrance through a small side window which looks into Tainui street, from a small room usually occupied as a bedroom and sitting room by Mr Paul. It appears from the indications presented that tho robber had first thrown a large lump of mud from the street through one of the panes of the window, and finding that this created no alarm he must have concluded that no one was on the premises. The window had then been opened by pushing back the latch inside, and the thief appears to have proceeded direct to the counting house, and opened the desk containing the cash box. It is evident that the robbery has been planned or committed by some one well acquainted with the premises and the arrangements of the ofllce, as no othor desk was disturbed but the one containing the cash box. . The police are making active enquiries into the matter, and it is probable they will find the suspected person to bo tho real culprit. Tne Arahura boatmen drove a thriving trade on the 25th ult., as the river was far too high to be forded with any degree of safety by horsemen. Attempts, however, were made by packers to cross the stream on horseback, which in one instance nearly resulted in the loss of a man named Donald Cameron. He was travelling towards Hokitika, and entered the river at the usual crossing-place, but on arriving in mid-stream the current swept his horse away, and for a moment or two both horse and rider were completely submerged. The danger was imminent, as the current rapidly hurried them towards the breakers, and in a few minutes their fate would have been sealed, had not two watermen, named John Leydon and James Howat, at great risk to themselves, boldly pushed off to the rescue, and succeeded in dragging the man into their boat, but not before ho was withiu fifty yards of the surf. The horse managed to scramble on shore some thirty yards lower down. A number of people witnessed the occurrence which occasioned great excitement, as it was once feared that nothing could save either horse or m;in. On Thursday, the 25th ult, an Italian was married in Hokitika, and, accompanied by his bride and Mrs Bazett, who acted as bridesmaid, and a friend named Mr Henry O'Reilly, immediately after the ceremony left for his residence at Stafford Hill. The day passed pleasantly, and at midnight the party broke up ; and as Mrs Bazett's business compelled her to be in town on the following day, she, escorted by Mr O'Reilly, started on their return. The Arahura river was reached at about one o'clock ou Friday morning, but both being ignorant of the exact situation of the fording place, nn attempt was made to cross the river a short distance above the breakers. O'Reilly led the way, closely followed by his companion, and in an instant both were submerged in deep water. The former was swept from his horse and drowned, his last words being, " Save yourself for the sak<> of your husband." Mrs Bazett also lost her seat, but clung fast to the horse's tail, and the animal, guided by instinct, turned round and made for the shore, which, happily, he succeeded in gaining, landing the woman safely, but terribly exhausted. Whensomewhatrecovered she proceeded to the ßallarat Hotel and gave the alarm, a search party proceeded to the bea-.'h to recover the body in the event of it being thrown up by the surf. At daylight it was discovered about a mile to the northward of the river, and removed to the above hotel, where an inquest was held on the following day, ami a verdict of " Accidental drowning" was returned. i A melancholy iustance of sudden death "occurred on tho 22nd ult. at the South Spit. A miner, supposed to bo named Johnson, arrived at Lagoon town from Ross on Saturday night. He complained of ill health, aud stated that he intended to leave the coast for Otago, but being short of funds would be compelled to sell a fine bull and mastiff dog, which accoirpanied him. He remained at - Lagoon town that night, and loft next morning for Hokitika, where he put up at the Gridiron Hotel, in Revell street. The same morning ho paid his bill and departed, and nothing more was heard of him until information was lodged at the Police Camp that tho doad body of a man was lying upon tho South Spit. Sergeant Bcattie was despatched to take charge of it, and on arriving there, was informed by a Mr Farmer, a storekeeper residiug at Lagoon Town, that he observed the deceased and his dog walking towards him, when, much to his amazement, he suddenly disappeared, and supposing that something unusual had happened, Farmer proceeded to the spot, and there saw the poor fellow lying on the ground, evidsntly in a dying state. He was unable to rendor him immediate assistance, as the dog jealously guarded his fallen master, and nearly ft quarter of an hour elapsed before the faithful animal would permit any one to approach, and by that time the man was dead. Dr Ryley was immediately summoned, but his services were of no avail, life having departed. An inquest was held on the following day, when a verdict of " Died by the Visitation of God" was returned. We learn from the " Grey River Argus" that the sea has cast up evidence of another dark deed of crimo, the circumstances of which however appear likely to remain buried in Qblivion. On the 3rd inst. the body of a man was found on the North Beach, about half a mile to the northward of the Tluo Hotel. Information was at once give to the police authorities at Cobden, and two constables were despatched to take charge of the body. When found the body was in an advanced stage of decomposition, the features being- entirely obliterated, the only possible clue to identification being a small portion of a reddish-brown beard. No marks of violence other than those caused by the shingle on the beach being at first noticed, no suspicion was aroused as to the cause of death being anything but accidental drowning. On these circumstances being reported to Mr Revell, he did not consider it necessary to hold an inquest, and the remains were ordered to be buried. Prior to the interment, however,

Sergeant Mayo made a further examination of the body, and ho discovered certain appearances which caused him to report them to the Acting Coroner, Mr Revell, There was a wound on the chest, and another on the left side, which on being probed was found to extend downwards towards the bowels, and # appeared to have been made by a sheath knife. The body was however so very offensive that it was buried pending the decision of the Coroner.' Mr Revell, on being acquainted with tVie above facts, ordered the body to bo exhumed, and an inquest was held yesterday at Cobden. The medical testimony pointed conclusively to death by tho wounds mentioned. Dr Drake decribed the results of tho post mortem , and gave it as his opinion that either of the wounds would have caused death, and had apparently been inflicted with a sheath knife. The jury returned a verdict of wilful murder against s r mo person or per|bnß unknown. We may add that the body was found in a Btate of nudity, with the exception of a pair of stockings and one lace-up boot, not a water-tight, and a broad leather belt with D buckle and sheath for a knife. The height of the deceased was sft 7 or 8 inches ; medium build. A fatal accident happened at the Hau Bail on the 2nd inst. to a miner named Michael O'Brien. The deceased was one of a party of four men, who were working their claim day and night, and went down the shaft to work his "shift," accompanied by a mate. They were engaged in timbering a drive, and deceased was putting in a false set, when the prop fell down, followed by the laths and cap-piece, and the unfortunate man was instantly buried beneath a dense mass of earth. His companion made the best of his way out of the claim and informed the others, who were living in a hut belonging to the party, about five hundred yards from the scene of the accident. Active measures were instantly taken for the recovery of the body, but it was not till the next morning that their efforts were crowded with success. As an illustration of the exceeding richness of some of the claims on Scandinavian Hill, we niny instance that out of the claim known as No. 1 tunnel, on its northern slope, from from 19ozs to 30ozs of gold is washed daily. The adjoining tunnel is also paying, well, as the shareholders can make from L 2 to L 3 per day each man. The Totara escort arrived in town on the Ist inst. with heavy parcels of gold, which in the aggregate amounted to between 3000 and 4000 ounces. A meeting of the directors of the Hokitika and Kanieri Tramway Company was held on j Saturday evening last, when it was resolved that tenders should be immediately called for the completion of the line to the Kanieri. We understand that it is the intention of the company, at a future dale, to substitute iron rails for the present wooden oues, and a locomotive for hoi'se traction. It is very satisfactory to observe the resumption by the company of this important work, and we feel assured that the line which has already heen of such imineiiße value to the residents of Gibson's Quay, will, when completed, prove of equal importance to the inhabitants of Hokitika and the numerous diggings of which the Kanieri is the centre. Another fatal accident has been reported at the Grey, the unfortunate being -a digger named Hugh M'Laren. It appears that he-left Nelson's Creek on the 29th ult. on horseback, and was seen a short distance on the Greymouth side of Red Jack's Creek coining along the bank of the Grey. Shortly afterwards the horse was found riderless, and it is supposed that the animal had stumbled at a place where the river bank is very steep and the track narrow, and precipitated its rider into the river below. The schooner Nora sailed from Lyttelton on the 16fch ult., witb fresh westerly breezes, which veered to north on the following day, when she was off Kaikoras Peninsula. On the 19th, sho passed Cape Campbell, aud next day the wind chopped into the N.W., and settled down into a heavy gale. The sea soon rose, and as the schooner commenced to labor heavily, it was decided to seek shelter in Cloudy Bay, where she anchored in company with the Isabella Jackson. The weather m >derating on tlie 22nd, she worked through Tory Channel into Queen Charlottels Sound, and, as the gale freshened up again, came to an anchor in Ship's Cove. There she remained until the 28 th, and then the gale having fairly broken, picked up her anchor and left. At 1 p.m. was off Steven's Island in a strong E.S.E. breeze, blowing against a heavy N.W. swell and tide rip, which rolled the schooner's rail under, and caused her to make very bad weather of it. At midnight she lay becalmed, laboring heavily in the trough of the sea. Next day, the wind veered to N.E., and Cape Farewell was passed in the morning, and Wanganui Inlet the same afternoon. The breeze then fell away, and hence to the roadstead light variable winds prevailed. The Nora came to an anchor on tho Ist instant, and was towed inside next morning by the Challenge. She brings a full general cargo. The p.s. Challenge returned to port on the 2nd inst., having been absent at the Pakihi and Greymouth. She left on the 31st ult, at 5 p.m., for the Pakihi, with the Tambo schooner in tow, and reached her destination the following morning, at 3 a.m., where her charge came to an anchor, the Challenge remaining under steam, off the entrance to the cove. Several whaleboats being in immediate attendance, she discharged her passengers and left again at 4.30 a.m., arriving off Greymouth at 11 a.m. Worked the bar that tide, towing in the Rambler, Fanny, Cymraes, Glengarry, Emma Jane, and Caledonia, and after completing an excellent day's work steamed for Hokitika at 7 p.m., and came to off the bar at 9.30 p.m. The next morning she was up betimes, and towed inside the Nora and Prince Consort schooners, both of which were fetched to the wharf by 6 a.m. The Challenge gives a very unfavorable description of the Pakihi Covo, which according to her account is during half the tide inaccessible even to boats. An ugly ridge of rocks — which at low-water are barely covered — run across the entrance, and the slightest send home from tho westward is sufficient to raise a very nasty break upon them. Boats run great risk in working tho channel (if such^ it can be called) and already one sad accident has occurred, which resulted fatally. On the 31st ultimo two whaleboats attempted to enter, and both were capsized and broken "up, and one unfortunate fellow belonging to the crew was drowned. Oue of those daring robberios, which we are happy to say it has lately seldom been our duty to record, was perpe trat od last Friday night at the Swan Hotel, Gibson's Quay, under the following circumstances. It appears that after the landlord aud inmates had retired to rest, some clever thief, who possessed a thorough knowledge of the building, lifted the trap-door in the adjoining right-of-way, and, having effected an entrance to the cellar, succeeded in making his way to the front bar through another trap-door, and took up his temporary position behind the counter. Having probably indulged in a brief consideration, and, perhaps, a " nobbier," the thief carried away a desk, containing a cash-box and LlO in cash, and L 27 in cheques, coolly letting himself out by the front dooi\ On tho discovery of the robbery, information was at once given to the police, and the desk was found on the beach ou the following morning — empty of course. We are, however, happy to hear that there ie every probability of the offender being brought to justice in a few days. The Star Reef Company, Bendigo, is about to adopt a new mode of paying the miners employed by it, so as to make them directly interested in tho success of the mine. It is proposed to give each miner fixedwages of 20s per week, in addition to which, if the quartz yieldß 6s per ton, he will get 5s extra, and 5s extra for each additional Is per ton till the wages amount to L 3, , ,

" Don't be afraid." Such was the signal made by the Claud Hamilton as she steamed inshore and rounded to off the bur yesterday week iii readiness to receive the p.s. Yarra. We presume the signal was intended as a taunt cast at the harbor steamers of this port, for it could be regarded in no other light than that of a direct imputation upon the pluck of the commanders, who, influenced by the commonest prudence only refused to work the bar in the face of such a sea as that of Wednesday. We feel ourselves called upon to take up the cudgels in their behalf, and can most truthfully, affirm that never was a sneer more uncalled for or undeserved, as the tug boats are ready in all weathers— when the slightest chance of succeeding exists — to run outside and tender any vessel that may require their" services. We have seen them placed in the most imminent peril on more than one occasion through an over anxiety to do their duty, and the riska so often incurred became at last so notorious as to call forth a direct remonstrance from the marine authorities, which was expressed through Mr Nancarrow, Inspecting Engineer. On his last visit to this port, we heard him issue the strictest injunctions to the masters of the harbor steamers not on any consideration to run unnecessary risk, and added that if such commands were disobeyed, the offender would render himself liable to the suspension of his certificate. This was plain enough, and not to be misunderstood, and so far has been productive of good results, as we no longer observe among the tugs that head-long rushing to be first in the roadstead in weather when they would have discovered more discretion by remaining at their moorings. It is proverbial that deep sea captains make, generally speaking, very bad coasting skippers, and entertain the crudest ideas respecting the difficulties which attend the working of bar harbors on an open coast, where at certain seasons a frightful surf prevails that would swamp any vessel foolhardy enough to expose herself to its fury. Unfortunately the WestCoast harbors stand pre-eminent as dangerous ports of call to those craft which enter them, whilst the larger vessels that remain outside are too often condemned to a long detention through the impossibility of communicating with the shore in bad weather. We' are aware, from past experience, how irritable the sea captain becomes when his vessel is delayed by circumstauces he is powerless to control ; he is then just in the mood to vent his spleen haphazard, and never for one moment entertains the idea whether the shadow of a justification exists for his so doing. We don't wish to insinuate that the captain of the Claud Hamilton was in an irritable mood that morning, but we unhesitatingly avev that the bunting displayed would have been more in place in the signal lockers. Our men require no driving, and we can say with much truth, that for good seamanship, close attention to duty, constant sobriety both afloat and ashore, and presence of mind in danger, tho masters of the Westland harbor steamers are not to be surpassed by those of any other port in the colonies. Their boats, however, are not constructed either to paddle over dryland or for submarine navigation. The boring apparatus, which we alluded to in a former issue as about to be introduced on Tucker Flat (Kanieri) by the Great Extended Company, to test the deep ground they have in hand there, was despatched from town on the 14th inst. It is of home manufacture, having been constructed by Mr Miller, of Beach-street, who has certainly turned a very creditable job out of hand. The machine consists of fourteen rods which, when connected, are 120 feet long, a length more than sufficient to reach the sandstone reef on any point of the flat. Sets of cutters for penetrating either hard or soft ground also belong to it, and an affair made of wood, which in appearance exactly resembles a turnstile, screws on to the top rod, and, worked round by manual labor, supplies the power to bore. The company purpose commencing operations in an old shaft fifty feet deep, as so much boring will be thus saved. They expect to find the deep ground in the course of a fortnight, and we sincerely trust it will prove of such quality as to amply repay the enterprise which prompted the undertaking. /The usual weekly meeting of the Hokitika Literary and Debating Society was held on the 14th inst. at the Fire Brigade Hall. The vicepresident was called to the chair, and after the transaction of the?uaual preliminary business, Mr Sinclair read an extract from JQickens's Pickwick Papers, which was followed by Messrs Cousens and Hume reciting the celebrated quarrel scene between Brutus and Cassius, from. Shakespeare's tragedy of Julius Caesar. The Secretary, Mr Whitelaw, then read an original poem descriptive^ the peculiarities of the various nationalties of Europe, and which deservedly received tho approbation of the members. Mr_ M'Haffie followed with what he termed a scene from Scottish domestic life called " Watty and Meg.'" We regret our inability to criticise this piece, as the intonation of the reader, combined with our ignorance of the pure Scotch Doric, made the whole production foreign to the ears of our reporter. This being the last of the evening's entertainment, various remarks both condemnatory and otherwise were passed. The subject for next evening's debate — viz., " Would the sale of the West Coast lands by the Government be beneficial to the district of Westland "—having been decided upon, the meeting dispersed. The P.N.Z. and A.R.M. C.o's s.s. Egmont, J. V. Hall, junr., Commander, left Nelson at 31.30 p.m. on the 9th inst, with passengers and cargo for Hokitika, transhipped from the steamers Tararua and Phoebe. Experienced light winds and cloudy weather ontil the evening of the 10th, when it came in exceedingly thick and 'rainy, and continued so during the remainder of the run. The Egmont came to an anchor off the bar at daylight on the 11th. She brings 17 saloon, and 28 steerage passengers for this port, and 32 steerage for the G-rey. She reports that the Panama s.s. Euahine had sailed from Wellington prior to the Phoebe's departure from that port. The {Egmont left for Bluff Harbor, and Dunedin on the 12th inst. The barque Bella Vista sailed from Hobart Town at 5 a.m. October 27th, with light northerly winds and fine weather. Up to the Ist instant carried moderate breezes from N.N.E. to N., but on that date a heavy gale sprung up from the N.E. afterwards°shifting round to N.W., and finally settled into S.W., and blew furiously, causing a tremenduous sea, which compelled the barque to heave-to for nearly ton days. At noon on the 4th, the gale having moderated, sail was made, and the New Zealand coast sighted about G-reymouth in the afternoon ; on the following day came to an' anchor off Hokitika. Through the bar^being impassable to vessels of her burden and draught she was kept outside until tho 9th, when the Challenge towed her to the 4 wharf. The Bella Vista is laden with a mixed cargo consisting chiefly of produce, and thirteen horses stalled in the mainhold. She also brought three passengers. The ketch Elizabeth sailed from Lyttelton on the 7th inst., with moderate S.W. winds and fine weather. Passed Kaikoras Peninsula at 6 p.m., and the following day ran in and anchored under Kapiti to refit the main riggiug, and put to sea again ou the 9th. Passed Steven's Island on the 10th, running before a steady S.E. breeze, the weather being thick and rainy. The following day she was off Cape Farewell, and ut no>>,i ou the 11th was abreast of Bock's Point, with a Btaggering N.N.E. breeze behind her, which carried her by the Grey River next morning, and to the roadstead in the aftonioivi. Tho heavy N.W. weather which prevailed on I hat day scut her to sea again, an 1 being some distance off shore when the gale abated sii • was kept outside by light weather until the 1 Mi, and then reached the roadstead, ,md at high witer wtis towed inside by tbv ps. Yarra. The Elizabeth is . laden with a i'ml general cargo.

Yesterday week 14,500 ounces of gold were exported by the a. s. Alhambra and Claud Hamilton. Of this amount the Bank of New Zealand shipped 7000 ounces per Alhambra to Melbourne and 5000 ounces per Claud Hamilton to Sydney. Tho balance (2000 ounces) was shipped by the Bank of New South Wales to Melbourne. We observe in the list of passengers by tho Egmont tho name of Mr Toussaint La Griff, tho celebrated phrenologist and lecturer on , phrenology, so long and favorably known in Zew Zealand, Australia, and other parts of the world, and whose long established reputation entitles him to the highest position in the science. He intends giving a few scientific lectures in Hokitika, and as he brings with him casts of the heads of the Maungatapu murderers, Burgess, Kelly, and Levy, and having made the science his life study, we woidd recommend every one to go and hear him ; the lecture will be alike interesting aud instructive. An advertisement from this gentleman appears in our columns, to which we refer for further particulars. On Tuesday night at 8 p.m. the Cafe de Paris presented a somewhat busy appearance, caused by the paying over of the sweep lately drawn on the Melbourne Cup event. The sum of L 25, less the usual per centage, was paid to Mr Roscow, as the winner of the first prize, and LlO and L 5 respectively were paid to Messrs T. and S. Harris, as the -winners of the second aud third prizes. After a few bottles of champagne had been discussed, the assembly dispersed. We observe, by the recent report of the directors of tho Bank of New Zealand, that a dividend is declared at the rate of ten per cent, per annum, besides a bonus of seven shillings per share, equal to seven per cent, per annum. Judging from the above, aud also that the New South Wales bank has declared a dividend equal to eighteen per cent, per annum, it is our firm conviction that 'banking is a paying speculation in these colonies. . Two miners, named respectively Snotlaw and Lowe, who are working at the foot of a terrace half-a-mile from the Ballarat Hotel, on the north bank of the Arahura river, reported at tho Police-camp on the 9th inst. the sudden disappearance of one of their mates. It appears from their statement that about six o'clock on the evening of the previous Sunday (the 4th inst.) the missing man, who is named Sydney Mills, left the tent, accompanied by a kangaroo dog, for the purpose of going down to the lagoon to look for a place to fish for eels, and has never been heard of since. His mates suppose that he fell into the lagoon and was drowned, as all their efforts to find him elsewhere have been unsuccessful ; and they account for the non-return of the dog by supposing that she had returned to her previous home on the Blue Spur lead, they having only recently acquired her, and she having attempted once before to escape from the tent. It is impossible that Mills could have been lost in the bush, as the lagoon is bounded on two sides by the Six Mile track, and on another by a high terrace; ■while a voluntary absence is likewise out of the question, as the missing man was only partially dressed. He is 26 years of age, sft. 7in. in height, and was habited at the time of his disappearance in yellow cloth pants, check shirt, lace- up boots, and a small black hat. The perfect skeleton of a man was found in the bush a short distance from Ross on the 9th inst, by Messrs Coleson and Sheppard, who were out seeking for stray cattle. On their return to Ross they made known the circumstance to the police, who proceeded to the spot and removed the remains to town, where they now lie awaiting an inquest. Two silver watches, a gold ring, some nuggets, and quartz specimens were found close to the sad relics, which it is supposed are those of Andrew Donald, who many months ago, kept a store for Mr Jollie at the old Totara diggings. On the 26th March last, he suddenly disappeared, and at the j time was supposed to have absconded with 30ozs. of gold and some cash, -which the books showed were missing. The matter was placed in the hands of the police, who sought long -and unsuccessfully for the supposed defaulter, who it was imagined had succeeded in effecting his escape by sea. But amongst the articles missed by Mr Jollie was a silver lever watch, which fact, if coupled with the finding of the two above mentioned, leads to the inference that the remains are those of Donald, who must have lost his way in the bush and perished miserably. Fragments of clothes were found on the skeleton, consisting of a brown plush hat, with holes cut, in each side of the brim, part of a shirt and trousers, and a '' pair of la n e-up boots, very little worn. Monday night was one of the most inclement that we remember to have witnessed for some considerable time in Hokitika. The rain, which had poured down at intervals since Saturday night, increased in force on Monday morning, and poured incessantly the whole day — if possible becoming more aggravated as the.night came on. Squalls of wind shook the houses to their very foundation, and rendered travelling after nightfall exceedingly difficult and dangerous, as it was next to impossible to keep a light burning. All the lower parts of the town were deeply flooded— Weld street of course setting the example, which it did early in the afternoon ; but by midnight Revell and Wharf streets were the only thoroughfares that could be said to be not knee deep. Gibson's Quay was flooded from Wharf street to the Custom House, Sewell street " drew" an unfathomable depth, and every culvert and drain was full to overflow- j ing. Tancred-street was converted into a considerable lake, and was only approachable by means of boats, while all those not above enumerated were more or less under water. We have no doubt that much damage will accrue to owners of property iv low-lying parts of the town, especially to those whose houses are not perched on piles of considerable height. Considerable fears were entertained in tow n on Monday night as to the fate and condition j of the steamers and their hapless freights, that j were compelled by the fresh in the river to put to sea during the gale. It was deemed impossible that the passengers on boaid the Persevere could be re-traushipped on board the Otago, and »s they were known to be eiphty-three in number, it is difficult to conjecture where they were berthed during the night. Many of them must have remained on deck, to abide the pitiless storm of rain and wind that continued without intermission throughout the whole night. It was also a subject of alarm to many having friends on board these boats to remember that the provisions on board those steamers were extremely limited in quantity, as the practice is far the seamen to provide their own victuals. It is likewise known that a very short supply of coal can be on board, as they seldom carry more than sufficient for a few hours' consumption. Should any of them be unable to bear up against the gale, and require to put on steam to prevent their drifting, the want of a sufficient supply of fuel may place them in an awkward if not dangerous position. Tho rumors about requiring to beach any of them in consequence of this are, we need hardly say, entirely unfounded. The usually peaceful neighborhood of Revell street north was on Tuesday afternoon disturbed from its happy condition by an affair ■which, after apparently affording considerable amusement to those living in the locality, and all who happoncd to be on the spot, was terminated by the timely interference of the police. | It appears that for some time past a woman

of notorious character has occupied ouo of a .block of small cottages opposite tho Nag's Head Hotel, and as hor dissolute habits were of course highly objectionable to hor neighbors, tho landlord deemed it very dosiritblo and determined to get rid of her, but for some time this was not so easily dono as contemplated, inasmuch as the tenant, although undoubtedly a most degraded character, and to judge by her appearance a lunatic, was always prompt in paying her rent until a few days l ago when she becamo a defaulter, aud afforded the landlord, or rather his agent, tho exeuso [ he had so long wanted for gcttiug rid of his fair but frail tenant The action taken by tho agent, which in this instance was certainly not remarkable for that want of feeling and roughness for which bailiffs and brokers' men are peculiarly characterised in " sensational " dramas and on tho stage generally was, we need hardly say, regarded with anything but favor by the assembled crowd, the majority of whom, of course, knew little or nothing about the matter ; and when that stern official had performed his duty by ejecting both the tenant and her property from the house, he was furiously assailed by one of the crowd, who proceeded in defence of tho illused female to break an empty porter bottle over his head, aud a regular battle ensued. The affair, however, did not terminate here, for tho cause and subject of this little diversion having, during the proceedings refreshed herself at a neighboring hostelry, became rather excited, aud after giving vent to her feelings in a shower of abuse on the unhappy agent, proceedod to smash all the windows of the cottage. At this climax the police arrived, and the ex-tenant was, with much difficulty, conveyed to the lock-up in a state of seminudity, by two constables, the whole of her furniture, clothes, and effects, personal and otherwise, being left in the streets. The s.s. Otago arrived in the roadstead from Melbourne on Sunday evening, having on board eighty-three passengers and thirteen tons of cargo for this port. On early tide on Monday morning the p.s. Persevere went out to lighter her, aud about 2 p.m. attempted the entrance to the river ; but, in consequence of the heavy rains of Sunday aud Sunday night, the freshet offered an insuperable obstacle. On three several occasions she attempted to enter the channel, and was so far successful as to reach the inner North Spit, where the full force of the current meeting her, she was unable to proceed further. Whilst she was vainly endeavoring to stem the tide on the last occasion, the p.s. Challenge, with the Tambo in tow, loaded with a cargo of coals from the Grey, attempted to" enter, and succeeded in getting to the same position as tho Persevere, which, being unable to make headway, drifted down athwart the bows of the Challenge ; when the latter steamer, to avoid a collision, backed, aud the Tambo, losing way, was tossed ashore on the inner point of the South Spit, close to where the Persevere went ashore on the last occasion. At the same lime (he latter boat was drifting broadside on to the breakers, and it was odlv owing to the superior seamanship of Captain Macmeikan that sho was at length, after some difficulty, headed out to sea, which she succeeded in reaching iv safety. The Yarra, having returned from transhipping passengers to the Egmon f , next attempted the entrance, and succeeded in reaching the position previously occupied by the Persevere, abreast the Challenge, i when she made a desperate struggle for about I ten minutes to enter the river, but after losing three floats off her wheels, was swept into the midst of the breakers. As she rolled heavily about, her position was at this tune one of considerable peril, but the current striking her on the bow, canted her head to sea, which movement was assisted by tli3 timely hoisting of her jib, and which, together with her steam power, eventually enabled Captaiu Nicol to escape to the open sea. The Challenge remained aground for the space of half-an-hour, but by the washing away of the sand from under her, she floated, and Captain Wilson, taking advantage of the opportunity, made for the new channel which runs straight through the South Spit, and -succeeded in gaining the roadstead, leaving the Tambo firmly aground on the spit. The I Persevere iv the meantime had vainly endeavored to reach the Otago, but was seen rapidly drifting to the southward, followed by the larger si earner, attracted to her assistance by the exhibition of a signal of distress ; but a squall coming on, both vessels were lost to the sight of the many spectators that lined the beach. When the Challenge was last seen she was also making in the direction of the Persevere. Just at dusk the only vessels to be seen were the Yarra and Jane Elkin, schooner, which were both riding safely at anchor, all the other vessels having entirely disappeared. The barque Frederic had, during the early part of the day, slipped her anchor and put to sea. It is our disagreable duty to record the loss of a handy little vessel, which has been associated with the history of this port since those days when harbor steamers were not. In her time she has done the state some service and passed through many a trying ordeal on the Grey and Hokitika b >rs, but on the whole her career has been a successful one, as only once in our recollection did she ever put her owners to the expense of a relaunch. She has, however, sailed her last voyage, and now lies a total wreck upon the South Spit, opposite Lagoon Town. As we stated in a former issue, she went on shore on the evening of the 12th instant whilst, in tow of the Challenge, which vessel also grounded, but came off again shortly afterwards. But the Tambo, | less fortunate than the tug, remained hard and fast, and as her position was most perilous the crew deserted her at low water, after securing the schooner to an old anchor deeply buried in the spit. They remained by the stranded craft untd midnight, -when the fearful freshet discharged by the river washed away the bank on which she was lying, and being caught by the current away went the Tambo into the surf dragging the anchor after her. She kept afloat for six hours, dragging slowly to the southward, until at last the windlass was torn out of tho bilts, aud the hapless Tambo went ashore in the position above described. Immediately afterwards her masts went by the board and she commenced breaking up, and we fear that in a few tides there will be little or nothing left of her. The Tambo is owned by Messrs Spencc, Bros., and has for some months past been engaged in the coal trade between this port and Greymouth. At tho time of her misliax> she was deeply laden with coal, of which not one pound will bo saved. We regret to say that the loss will fall heavily upon her owners, as she is quite uninsured. The s.s. Motaura, the fourth large steamer built by the Pauama Company to run across the Pacific, arrived in Melbourne on October 27, with about 100 passengers for Australia aud New Zealand. Allowing for the delays she experienced through break-downs in the machinery, and a sojourn at the Cape, a clipping passage was nade, as sho left Plymouth on the August 7, and arrived at Melbourne on October 27, a period of 81 days, The first break-down occurred on September 4, aud ten days were lost repairing tho damage. Eight days were also lost during her stay in Table Bay, which port sho left on September 21, but was only three days out when some part of her machinery again gave way, and three clays wero wasted iv making the damage good, and again when near the Australian coast, four days were lost again iv getting the engines into working order. During the passage Mi's Twentyman gave birth to a daughter, and Mrs Bourn to a son.

The effect of tho late rains had not passed away on Wednesday, as the rivereoutinued high and turbid, discharging a hoavv stream outwards. Tho channel, however, was in fair condition, as it ran nearly straight through the bar, upon which a moderate surf only, was breakiug. At noon tho s.s. Kennedy loft the wharf, and effected her exit in good style, although we observed that when in the outer break she shipped one or two heavy seas over the bows. She is bound for Nelson via Greymouth, Pakihi, and B idler, and is freighted with some 30 tons of cargo for Groymouth, and 35 passengers for the Pakihi and Buller. Shortly after hor departure, the p.s. Yarra left the river to bring in the Jane Elkin, which is laden with goods from tho Otago, and also to receive tho Ilarbor master from the Tinonee, he having undertaken to pilot that vessel out. She, however, failed to do either as the ketch was ten miles to the southward, and the Tinonee, owing to the accident to her screw, did not cross the bar. But the tug's visit to the roadstead was not altogether profitless, as she picked up the ketch Elizabeth, from Lyttelton, and conveyed her inside. Captain Nicoll reports that the bar was fairly workable, with nine feet of water upon it some time before high tide. Neither the Challenge, or the Persevere left tho wharf, as thero was no work for the latter, aud the former was industriously employed all day repairing the damage sustained by her port pad-dle-wheel, on memorable and long to be remembered Monday last. One or two vessels which she was engaged to tow out were, therefore, compelled to another day's sojourn insido, amongst which, was the Jane Lockhart, ready for sea and bound to Sydney. Bar and river permitting, these craft will clear today, but their detention during the present unsettled weather is much to be deplored, as yesterday it was all iv their favor, which, to-day, it may not be . The " Nelson Examiner " informs us that the Panama Company's s.s. Tararua, which it will be remembered arrived off the port on tho 4th inst, but owing to the heavy weather prevailing at the time was compelled to run on to Nelsou. Left Melbourne at 6 p.m. oi the 30 ult., and rounded to off Hokitika at 1 p.m. on the 4th inst. She thus made a splendid passage of 4 days 17 hours. The Tararua arrived at Nelson on the sth inst at 2 p.m. The p.s. Bruce returned from her second trip northwards on Saturday last, having experienced since her departure very unfavorable weather, which prevented her directly communicating with Pakihi. She loft this port on Monday last, tho sth inst., for tho Grey, Pakihi, and Buller, and arriyedoff the former river at 7 p.m. Too late to run in that night, she waited until morning, and then took the bar, but the sea being unusually heavy she received some slight damage in tho break, but reached the wharf safely. Discharged Grey passengers and cargo that' day, and received fresh freight on board, and having conU'd, &ho was ready for sea on the 7th, but a frightful sea upon the bar compelled her to defer her departure until the Bth, when she left the river and steamed to the northward. On arriving off the PakiM at 4 p.m., found bo heavy a sea breaking on the rockbound coast, that without incurring a most unjustifiable risk, no passengers could be lauded, for, although two whaleboats did push out of the cove and managed to reach the Bruce, they refused to run in again, and came to an anchor with the intention of waiting until the sea abated. The Bruce accordingly pushed on for the Buller, and entered the river at 6*30 p.m. Discharged Buller freight aud passengers, and the next day, at 11 a.m., started, intending to make another effort to land at Pakihi, and as the sea had apparently gone down, she took two boats, bound to Pakihi and both deeply laden, in tow But on rounding the Steeples the full force of a heavy S.W. sea was felt, and it was very evident that the entrance to Pakihi would be impassable. The Bruce, however, ran down there, and found the sea breaking furiously on the rirlge of rocks across the mculh of the cove, the spray flying thirty aud forty feet high. She came to an anchor at a respectful distauce, and observed a number of people on the rcks, making signals for I her to keep off, so after a short stay she hove up and ran back to the Buller, taking the two boats with her. By this time the sea had increased, and in consequence of tho heavy and sudden jerks upon the tow-rope, tho bows of ono of the boats came out, and had* not the teamer stopped and used extraordinary measures to save it all the cargo would have been lost. As it wa3, every package was lauded on deck and undamaged- The Bruce gained the Buller at 4 p.m., and tLen discharged the Pakihi freight and passengers, and left for the Grey at 11 p.m., arriving off the bar at 6 p.m. the next day. Ran inside at tide time and coaled, and then fastening to the schooner Fairy, towed her to sea, and then proceeded on her way to Hokitika, where she arrived at 2 p.m. ths same day (Nov. 10.) The Bruce reports that the schooners Emerald Isle and Mary Anne were lying in Pakihi when she left ; tho latter did not appear to be much damaged. Tho attempts made by Cap tain Kerley to laud the Pakihi passengers at the cove appears to have been thoroughly appreciated, as a handsome testimonial was presented by them to himself and Mr Hurper. The i.S.N.Company's s.s. Tinonee, Captain Fitzsiminons, left Sydney at noon on October 26th, bound to this port. During the first fifty hours she experienced strong south aud southeast winds, and a high cross sea; the remainder of the passage being marked by light easterly weather. She was thus unable to use her canvas, and made the greatest part of the run under Bteam only, notwithstanding which tho New Zealand coast was sighted on the morning of tho 2nd instant, and the roadstead reached the same afternoon. The heavy flood of that date* prevented any communication with her, save by signal, and the following day sho in company with the s.s. Alhambra was driven to sea by a tremendous N.W. gale. She remained off the coast battling with the galo until the -Ith, when fearing from the appearance of (ho weather that the river would be inaccessible for some days she bore up for Nelson to fill up water, and arrived there at 5 p.m. on sth. . Remained in port the next day, leaving again at 6 a.m. on the 7th, with light variable winds, and on arriving outside the Sandspit found a heavy S.W. swell rolling up, which continued until her arrival off Hokitika at noon on the Bth. Captain Turnbull, the harbor-master, then boarded her in the p.s. Yaira, aud remained on board that night, and next morning undertook tho rather ticklish job of piloting her across tho bai\ Favored, however, by a splendid entrance and smooth water, this he cleverly accomplished, and the Tinoneo steamed in capital style up tho river, and moored at tho wharf immediately above the old water- . man's stairs. She brings 45 tons of general cargo and 65 passengers. The arrival of this fine steamer may bo considered as quite an era in the annals of Hokitika, as she is the largest vessel that ever entered the river. Her great length excited considerable apprehension that sho would be unable to run the gauntlet between the spits, where the channel is narrow and intricate, and a very sharp turn must be made to gliu the fairway. But she proved quite equal tb the emergency, and passed the dangerous point without so much as touching ground, although once it seemed to us that her bow would take tho South Spit and hor stern the North., It was then that the immense advantages possessed by twin screws were made manifest, as by reversing her engines she slued smartly on her heel, and once head to current her safety was

assured, and the credit ot'fho port maiulainod. ThoTinonce is au iron vessel, of colonial build, having boon ron&lruetod in Sydney, at the A.S.N. Company's yard, where every pai-t, machinery iacludcd, was put together. She in a handsome craft, long, well lined, mid easily handled, and has on more tliau om-e occubion, proved herself a good sea boat in bad weather, and a fast traveller to boot. She is a now vessel, having only loft the stocks some eight months ago, and has since been employed trading between Rockhampton and northern ports. Her dimensions are as follow : — Length over all, I!>3 foet, beam 21 foet, depth of hokl 10 feet, hor gross burden being 297 tons, and 205 tons register. She is propelled by twin scrows, which arc driven by a pair of 20-horso power dircet-acting engines, provided with racing gear aud all the latest improvements. The passenger accommodation fore and aft is very fair, the saloon being well fitted and exceedingly comfortable, with a ladies' room abaft all, whilst the second class passengers are well cared for in a capacious and well ventilated cabin forward. The oißcers are berthed in houses on deck, the crew in a forecastle below, Amongst her deck fittings we noticed a couple of port erful steam winches and a patent capstan for getting the anchor and doing other heavy work. It is very evident that no expense was spared in her construction, and, to guard against the danger which it is supposed caused Ihe wreck of the London, her engineroom and cabin hatchways are fitted with a contrivance which, in the event of a heavy sea smashing in the skylights, prevents the water from finding ils way below. The plan is very simple, merely consisting of a couple of angle irons, which are boiled to and along the combings inside, exactly opposite cadi other. Two ledges of iron are thus formed, perforated with holes, some six or eight inches apart, to which in bad weather are bolted strong planks that extend across the aperture of the hatchway, and completely close it. Whilst we admit that the Tinonee is a smart and sightly vessel, and one that would do credit *o the port, we yet are fain' to confess that she is not the build for Wcatland waters, being too long by 40 feet. Notwithstanding that she made a good entry, which we trust will be followed by as successful an exit, we strongly advise the company not to risk her. again in attempting so hazardous au experiment. "She is too valuable a. vessel to be made ducks and drakes of, and certainly would prove rather an awkward customer to convey overland. We regret that the departure of the s.s. Tinonee for Sydney was prevented on the 14th owing to a mishap which Occurred as she was leaving the wharf. The head moorings were cast oil', and she was in the act of swinging down the stream when the stern warp (a stout-five-inch hawser) parted, and as both engines were going, the bight was caught by the starboard screw and so fouled it that the engine stopped Although it was high, water, there was a smart freshet running, and before another lino could be hove on shore she was swept broadside on some way down the river. An anchor was at once dropped, which cheeked her downward course and slued her bows up stream, and then smartly regaining the anchor she stoamed up to the wharf again with one engine going. Captain Turnbull was on board to pilot her out, and his boat aud crew being in attendance, the screw was cleared, when it was found that between ten and twelve fathoms of hawser had coiled round the fan and shaft. But by this time the tide was gone, and the steamer in consequence was compelled to postpone her departure until today. Monday, November 12th, will be long remembered in Ilokitika, as it was not only marked in black by Saxby, but the prognostication of the meteorologist was absolutely verified, the coast being visited by a heavy N.W. gale, accompanied by such a downpour of rain that the town was flooded to an extent never before witnessed. Moreover, the three harbor steamers were placed in imminent peril, as they were for the first time fairly caught napping, and compelled to pass a bitter night in the roadstead, after desperate hut unavailing attempts to regain the river. In the morning the Yarra aud Persevere steamed outside to tender the steamers Otago and Egmont, and when they left the whai-f there was (notwithstanding the steady rain of the previous night) only a slight freshet clown. But the " break" was hardly 'cleared when the wind freshened from the N.W., bringing up torrents of rain, and raising such a sea that the transhipment of passengers was effected under not only disagreeable but dangerous circumstances, and notMng but the great caution exercised prevented loss of life. The Persevere was the first outside, and she ran alongside the Otago, and cleared her of passengers — some 63 in nmrber, and then at about one o'clock, steamed for the shore; The Yarra attended to the Egmont, afterwards transhipping to the Otago, and au hour later followed the Persevere. In the meantime, the p s. Challenge arrived from Greymouth, and having passengers on board for the Egmont transhipped them, and then made for the river, picking up the schooner Tarn bo, coal laden, from Greymouth, on her way. She closely followed the Persevere. Tho latter vessel first gained the entrance, but found that in the short space of two hours tho river had enormously , risen and was pouring such a torrent of water between the spits that to stem the rush was an impossibility. Thrice did she make the attempt by keeping in the slack water under tho lee of the North Spit to gain the point, aud then making a dash into the torrent that whirled round it, but was each time swept like a feather backward. Meanwhile the Challenge had crossed the bar, but owing to the dense mist failed .» to see the Persevere until close upon her, just as that vessel was beaten back for the third time. The consequence was that a collision occurred, the Challenge striking the Persovei'e upon the port sponson, but foitunatcly indicted no ' damage. She then clapped her helm a-star-board and essayed to pass the point, but at this moment iho tow rope slipped over the starboard quarter, aud got athwart her stern, and the schooner taking a sheer lo port, dragged the Challenge round broadside to the i stream, across which she took a tremendous sheer, and grounded on tho South Spit, followed by the schooner, which " piled up " close to her on the starboard side. More lucky than the Challenge, the Persevere was carried clear of both spits, and drifted broadside on into the break, where she also took the ground on the tail of tho South Spit, which was theu covered to a depth of a*bout three or four feet. Sue remained there but a minute or two, as the main body of the fresh- poured directly on hor broadside, and fairly washed her over the bank into deep water, when she managed to get end on, and steamed through the surf into the roadstead. little dreaming of tho trial in store for her, the STarra now approached the shore, but' the driving rain and mist so shut it iv that sho was insido tho break before the Challenge and Tambo were sighted. One glance at tho furious current dashing past them was sufficient to place her in possession of tho true facts of the case, but as retreating then was out of the question, she also tried to round that fatal point by adopting the tactics o£ fcho Persovore. Every pound of steam was brought to bear, and to aid the engines tlio mainsail and staysail were set, but the nioment she felt the current her bows feU off, and she was swept broadside dowjx^reain, aud tho engines being reversed bscJced into slack water again. Not satiofied-^rah the one attempt, and most anxious,^ gain the river rather than risk rid-

ing through a heavy galo in the roadstead, Crptdin Nicoll put his vessel at it again, but with no belter success, and once more backed her inlo the eddy. There sho remained for nearly half-an-hotir, trying to slue round head lo tho norlh in order to gain the chanuol, which ran in that direction, but tho eddy catching her on the port bow proved too strong, notwithstanding that the mainsail was set to help her round ; seeing at last there was no help for it, tho Yarra was also allowed to drift broadside on, tho engines going full speed astern to back her into the channel. She, however, took the ground on the same bank of sand which brought up tho Persovero — but closer to to the point of it — and after rolling about for ten minutes slipped off into the gutway, and canting with hor head the right way pushed through the surf and gained the roadstead. In the meantime tho current cut away the sand underneath the stern of the Challenge and swept her off the bank, and away she also drifted broadside on to the tail of tho spit. Tho rush of water across it was tremondous, and as she took the ground threw her nearly on her beam ends, but after a fearful roll or two she also was carried outside, then slued round and paddled through the break with one engine only, as the port paddle wheel having been bent by the sea refused to work. The damage, however, proved slight, and was remedied when sho got outside. The Yarra and Challenge wero thus at no great distance from each other, and both headed towards the Persevere, which was observed some distance in the offing, with her ensign flying union down. This signal was made to the Olago, that vessel not having left thejxoadstead, and she at once bore down to the tug's assistance, and never was help more needed, as the Persevere, with nearly 80 souls on board, was in au open roadstead, in the midst of a heavy gale, no port under her lee, and short of coals, provisions, and water. There is no doubt that Captain Clayton would have at once supplied her, but seeing the other tugs so close at hand, and nothing doubting that they could assist, he being pressed for time, stood away on his course to Nelson. Unfortunately, both the Yarra and Challenge were short of coal, neither having more than twenty-four hours' fuel on board, so tho Yarra at once dashed after the Otago, and by flying a signal of distress, again brought her to. Fortunately Mr White, the company's agent, and Mr Bonar, of the firm Royse, Mudie, and Co., agents for 'tho Yarra and Persevere, were in the former, and tho Otago having sent a boat they boarded her to make known the facts of the case. By this time, however, the gale was at its height attended by a mountainous sea, and it was only too apparent that uo assistance could* be rendered that night, as darkness was closing in and the Persevere and Challenge were out of sight to (ho southward. The Yarra, moreover, had brought up on sixty fathoms of chain, Captain Nicoll having resolved to ride the gale out where she then was, and she shortly found herself in solitude, as the Otago rapidly disappeared in the thick mist which shut in a vessel of oven her size at a hundred yards distance. And so the night passed away, the Yarra not knowing the nlome/it she might not have to slip and run for it, and filled with anxiety for the fate of her sister boat" the Persevere. Happily the gale abated towards morning, and about an hour after daybreak the Persevere was observed steaming up from the southward, but in a pitiable condition, as she had not a pound of coals remaining, and was reduced to the necessity of raising steam by the aid of asl'es mixed with kerosene, several cases of the latter being on board as cargo. Her fresh water and provisions were also exhausted. She brought up astern of the Yarra and made known her state, aud Captain Nicoll was about to lower his boat and supply her from his own scanty stock when the Otago hove in sight to the northward, and in an hour came to an anchor alongside. As the weather still looked threatening, and but little hopes were entertained that the bar could be crossed that day, -she at once sent two tons of coals, and provisions and water to the Persevere, and at the same time supplied the Yarra with a box of biscuits and a sheep. She then picked up her anchor and left for Nelson, having suffered a most untoward detention of eighteen hours. The sea went down gradually as the day advanced, but from the muddy appearance of the ocean, which was tinged miles from the land, it was evident that the rivers were yet discharging a tremendous freshet, that would be most likely to render nugatory any attempt made to enter them. This was, of course, a matter of more speculation, and as the time of high water drew nigh, anxious glances were cast towards the signal station at Hokitika for the hoisting of the red flag, which signal woidd announce the bar as passable. At last it was made — but somewhat late on tide — and the Persevere immediately pushed for the bar, crossed the break, aud after a desperate struggle succeeded in rounding'the North Spit, and gained the wharf amidst the cheers of an immense crowd which had assembled to witness her arrival. Aud never was applause more deserved, as in tf c face of a heavy surf and still heavier freshet Captain Macmeikan crossed the bar hap-hazard, absolutely seeking for a channel, of which the direction and formation was most uncertain even to those on shore, who had marked the entrance at low water. He fairly broke tho blockade, and was followed by lh« Challenge and Yarra, both of which gained the wharf safely, but not without a hard push to surmount the hill of water that still ran furiously between the spits. We are happy to hear that the s.s. Keera is not damaged to such an extent as was at first anticipated, and there is n. probability thore : fore that she will again take up the Dunedin trade. Captain Carey informs us that he assisted at the survey held upon her, which resulted satisfactorily as no damage could be detected. She was, however, sanded up about two feet, so that her bottom plates could not be examined. At tho same time determined to bo convinced, the surveyors remained on board one night to mark whether sho would leak as the tide flowed ; and although it rose round hor lo - a height of five feet, only eighteen inches of water was found in the well. But to release the Keera a long overland journey is inevitable, as the Snit is nearly 500 yards across. This, it is supposed, will entail a cost of but little le»s than £1500. The fears which were entertained' for the safety of schooner Isabe la Jackson were happily removed by her arrival in the river on Fridny. She has made a remarkably long passage, having left Christchurch on October 12th. A succession of gales and head winds was the cause of her detention, and once sbo was driven to seek shelter in Port .Under woo J, where she remained for six days. Tho Isabella was towed across the bar by the Yarra. She brings a full general cargo. The lato heavy raius have had the effect of dclayiug, by one day at least, the arrival o£ Christchurch news, as the Hokitika coach was prevontcd leaving for the Bealey till yesterday morning^ariucan not therefore possibly return till to-night. Mr Crawley, manager of the Webtland branch of Cobb and Co.'s line, accompanied the coach yesterday to the Arahura, but found tho usual fording places quite impassable, so that a search was necessary, which fortuuately turned out successful, tho coach being able to pass iv safety some distance up the creek. We need scavcoly remark that telegraphic communication with Christchurch is suspended, as that invariably takes place after every shower.

The brigantiue Jane Lockhart left Sydney on the 20th ult., with light northerly winds and fine weather. Whon clear of the land, tho wind fell scant, and continued variable up to tho 24th, when it titled into the westward, and kept steady from S.W. by W. I o W.N.W. until tho 27th, and then chopped to S. and S.E., and for a few hours blew a hard gale, with a very high sea, which kept tho brigantine's decks awash. On the following day the galo lulled, aud during Iho remainder of the run across moderate westerly weather prevailed. Bold Head was sighted on the 3rd inst., and tho roadstead reached the same day, but tho heavy N.W. galo of that date drove her to sea again, whore she lay-to for the night under storm-canvas iv a tremendous sea, which made a clean breach over her. On the 4th, a change for the better took place, but the next day tlfo gale freshened up again, bringing her down to small sail. On the 6th, the weather cleared up, and fell very light, and as the Jane Lockhart had been swept far to the northward, it was not until the Bth that she succeeded in gaining the roadstead, and towed over the bar next morning astern of the Challenge. Sho brings a full general cargo. The brigantine Northern Light sailed from Hobsou's Buy on October 25th with light N.W. winds and fine weather. Passed through Port Philip Heads the following day, and on the 28th cleared the straits, taking her last departure from the Sisters at nqpn. Steady westerly breezes prevailed until the 3rd inst., on ■which day at noon the wind suddenly freshened, and iv au hour or two was blowing a whole gale, compelling the brigantine to reduce canvas to double reef topsail and foresail. That night and the following day she drove before it, followed by a tremendous sea, which so much increased, that to save her from bring pooped, she was brought to the wind on tho evening of the sth. Towards midnight, tho weather moderating, she was kept away, and tho next morning made the land about Bold Head, and anchored off the bar in the afternoon. A heavy surf and shallow channel forbade her entering the river unti the 9th, when she towed in astern of the Challenge. Tlie Northern Light brings a full general cargo. She reports speaking tho barque Alma, bound West, in lat. 50deg. 41miu. S. longitude 165deg. E, all well on board. Tho p.s. Nelson, Captain Whitwell, left Nelson at 9 p.m. on the 6th inst., with light variable weather. After clearing the Sand Spit she encountered a heavy westerly swell, which prevailed during her ruu to the Buller. Arrived there on the evening of the 7th, and after discharging 30 tons of cargo aud landing 16 passengers, left again at 9 p.m. on the Bth. Was abreast of Greymouth early next morning, and steamed over the bar at 8 a.m. Landed a few passengers and discharged cargo, and left at 9 a.ra., and arrived at Ilokitika by noon. The Nelson brought a few tons of mixed cargo and 30 passengers for Hokitika. Yesterday week tho Yarra, laden with 123 passengers and 14,500 ouuees of gold dust, crossed an excellent bar, and transhipped into the Alharabra aud Claud Hamilton. The Alhainbra then left for Melbourne, taking with her from Hokitika 106 passengers and 9500 ouuees of gold. The Claud Hamilton, after discharging 37 passengers, 185 sheep, and 12 tons of cargo, also left for Sydney, carrying away in exchange for the^eight she left here, 5000 ounces of gold crast and 17 passeugers. We wish both vessels a safe aud speedy passage. The P.N.Z. and A.R.M. Company's' s.s. Claud Hamilton, G. Ponsouby, commander, left Wellington at 2.30 p in. ou the Ist inst., and arrived at Picton at 8.30 p.m. ; sailed again the next day, at 7.30 a.m., arriving at Nelson at 6 p.m. The following day she left for this port, at 4.30 p.m., with moderate weather, but when abreast the Saudspit met a very heavy gale from the N.E., which raised such a high sea that, being unable to make headway against it, she ran into Totaranui for the night. On the 4th, the weather having moderated, she left at 4,30 a.m., aud, until her arrival off the Grey, encountered strong hesd winds and a cross sea. Anchored abreast of Hokitika at 4 p.m. on the 6th, but the bar being impassable, was unable to land her passengers and freight until the Bth, when she transhipped into the Yarra and Isabella, and, having received in exchange gold and passengers, got her anchor and steamed for Sydney. The Claud Hamilton brought 37 passengers, 185 sheep, aud 12 tons of cargo. , An entertainment of a novel kind was presented for the delectation of the public on the wharf on the 14th, caused by the landing of a herd of pigs from the schooner Tiger. This vessel had arrived from Wanganui with about eight-aud-twenty of as obstreperous brutes as can be readily conceived, who amused themselves on landing with the performance of most extravagant gambols. One huge brindled brute was particularly violent, and charged, with bristles erect, and eyes flashing green fire, into the middle of the assembled crowd, which opened with remarkable speed to give him way, and the cry of " wild boar" echoed from one end of the quay to the other, causing immediate consternation, the prevailing opinion apparently being — judging from the celerity witl which a clear field was made — that sometlxing little short of a mad elophant or an infernal machine had possession of the wharf. IK wu the lane of shrinking and struggling humanity careered piggy, snapping from side to side with a perseverauce worthy of a better cause, till he came opposite the steamship Tinonee, just preparing for soa. Her boat had been left on tho quay, a narrow space of about a foot only existing between the obstruction aud the edge of the wharf, ou which space a number of individuals were standing ; but, true to his instincfy the porcine malcontent avoided the broad and clear way before him, and charged right between the boat and tho blemier, capsizing all that caiut iv his way over the boat, none fortunatoly falling iuto the river. Tho display of legs and feet that instantly gui vcivd in the air was something to be remembered, as were, also the furious outcries and curses that arose from tho capsizees, and tho yells of laughter that echoed from all who in safety could view the uproar and confusion. The hog eventually established himself at th bottom of the watermen's steps, and, facing his pursuers — who " fain would, but dared not" — stood furiously at bay ; but, after the usual scene of aJvice, recrimination, and anger, he was hauled up, tied, and peacefully deposited on the quay. One individual, a well-known publican, had been particularly prominent in advising, and despising the rabid porker ; but his courage evaporated as readily as Bob Acres', when he found .the animal, as if indignant at tlie insult to his prowess, snapping furiously at liis heels, and compelling him, with a torrent of exclamations, to eil'ect a rapid escape to his hotel, the door of which had to bo closed to avoid a tussle at closer quarters than the fugitive deemed either necessary or desirable.