PORT OF HOKITIKA.

West Coast Times, Issue 376, 6 December 1866, Page 2

PORT OF HOKITIKA.

Digs Watce Tins Day. — 9.33 ujn. ; 9.58 p.m. Ts'rw Moo>" to-day. — i.58 p.m. AKBIYKD. December s.— Bnicc, v>.3., Ki'rioj, from Buller, via Fox's Kivor ana Gre^ . Y. Greer, ngeul. Little Fred, bchooucr, Champion, from Mauukau. Duulop & Co., agents. Isabella, ketcli, Burell, from Mauukau. Emerson & Co., agents. " SAILED. December s.—^Brucc,. —^Brucc, p.s., Kerley, for Okarita. Emerald Isle, M'Aber, for Fox's Rirer. rXTEHED IN. Bruce, 95 tons, .James Kerley, from Greymouth. Iv ballast. 11 passenger?. CLEABED OT7T. Bruce, 95 tons, James Kerley, for Okaritn. EXPECTED ABBITALS Mary Tail Every, schooner, from Duuodin, daily. Gothenburg, s.s., from Melbourne, 15th instant. Canterbury, schooner, from LyttclJou, early. Kangitoto, from Melbourne, 18th iust. Jason, from Sydney, early. Tararua, s.s , from Melbourne, early. Egmont, s.e., from Nelson, 9th inst. Ocean Wave, schooner, from Dunedin, early. Eli/a Blanch, brig from Auckland, early. Francis, schooner, from Heatheote, early. .Alexandra, schooner, from Melbourne, early. Alma, from Melbourne, early. Elizabeth, cutter, from Sydney, early. Jbdo Lockliart, from Sydney, early, Leonidas, from Melbourne, early. John Bullock, from Melbourne, early. Flying Cloud, schooner, from Lyttelton, ] daily. j Kennedy, s.s., from Kelson, to-day. TEOJECTHD DEPARTURES. Julia, schooner, for Fox's River, Bth iiut. Bruce, p.?., for Grey, Buller, and Pakihi, Bth inst. Claud Hauiiltou, s.s., for Sydney, tomorrow. lona, schooner, for Fox's River, daily. Gothenburg, s.s., for Melbourne, Kith inst. Kennedy, s.s., for Grey, Buller, and Nelson, to-morrow. Wellington, s.s., for Nelson, Wellington, and Northern port3, loth inst. Egmont, s.s., for Bluff, Dunedin, Lyttelton and Melbourne, 10th inst. VESSELS IK TOUT. Brigantinc — Hector, Mary. Schooners — Jane Anne, Eifin, lona, Moyne. Julia, Little Fred, Isabella. Cutter — Volunteer. Slcsiiuers — Challenge, Xarra, Dispatch, (ashore). I3Ii'OISTS. ' Per Little Fred, from tho Manukau. Ex warehouse, under bond— 50 cases stout, 5 hhds ale, W. Duulop ; 9 boxes tobacco, 12 tierces bottled stout, 6 casks bottled ale, 12 cases geneva, 8 cases ginger brandy, 2 hhds do, Moir & Staite. Duty paid and free — 134 pieces architraves, 11 bundles mouldings, 4 casks fish, 6 boxes tea, 2 half-chest 3 tea, 9 kegs butter, 16 case^, Champion ; 4 casks currants, 1 ca&k salmon, 1 ease catsup, 4 cases hahnon, 5 ca-.es pickles, 1 cask nut 3, 9 mats sugar, 4 pkgs doors, -10,000 feet ea\rn timber, 10,431 bricks, 10 cases bottled fruits, 4 bars galvanised iron, W. Duulop ; 5 casei hams, 10 ease* lobsters, 11 kegs ppivity, 10 cases brandy, Moir & Staite; 1 cask, 2 eases, ironmongery, 8 stoves, 1 hhd ironmongery, 9 kegs liails, 26 bundles iron, 11 kegs nails, 1 cask, 1 case ironmongery,' s cases and 2 pkgs do, Cruiekshanck. Per Isabella, from Manukau— 3l,ooo feet timber, 9000 slxingles, 3000 bricks, 30 bales hay, 2^ tons potatoes, order. EXPOHT3. Per Bruce, for Okaiita — 2 cases onions, 1 hhd eggs, Burrough ; 10 sacks flour, Loutitt, Reid, & Co ; 30 sheets iron, 2 doors, 4 pairs sashes, J. Hunter ; 1 parcel, Harbor Department ; 1 parcel Cairncross ; 4 cases hams and bacon, 12 mats sugfr, D. Murphy ; 4 c ses apples, 2 cases onion's, M'Nee ; 3 tons potato?, order.

The p.s. Bruce returned to port yesterday after another smart trip to the northward. She left Hokitika at 4 p.m. on the 3rd inst., aud crossed the Grey bar at 6.30 p.m. ; landed 26 passenger?, and received a few on board for Fox's River, and again put to sea at 8 p.m., arriving off the latter port by midnight. At daylight on the Ith she commenced discharging, and safely landed 25 passengers, 12 tons of cargo, and ioO sheep, and at 7 a.m. steamed on for Pakihi, arriving off the cove in an hour. There she landed a little cargo and a few passengers, and then proceeded to the Buller, and arrived at her rnooring-place abreast of West port at 9.30 a.m. After discharging thc~ remainder of her downward freight, and receiving on board a few passengers, she left the river at 10^30 a.m., on her return. Called at Fox's River on the way, and shipped a few passengers, aud then continued onwards, and brought to off the Grey bar at 4.30 p.m. When the tide served she ran inside and moored for the night, and nest morning started for Hokitika, arriving as above. The Bruce reports that on Tuesday last the ketch John Mitchell took tho ground whilst attempting to enter Fox's River, but floated next tide, and got inside without further mishap. The Star of Tasmania is still lying high and dry in the same position which she occupied duriug the Brucc's last visit to the river. Tho schooners Tiger and Emma Eliza wcro at anchor off Fox\. waiting for a chance to dibduirgo cargo. Tho Murray, Bchooner, was lying abreast of Pakihi, discharging cargo iuto boats. The schooner Eclipbo has becorno a total wreck at the Buller; her remains wcro sold by auction for L3O.

Tho three-masted schooner Little Fred left Mauukau on tho 27th ult., with N.E. winds aud fino weather. When clear of the land, tho breeze hauled to the N.W., and until the 30th westerly weather prevailed, but during the remainder of the trip light variable winds and calms predominated. The Little Fred reached tho roadstead in the afternoon of the sth met., and was towed inside by the Challenge on the evening's tide. She brings a full cargo of mixed goods and 16 passengers. Captain Champion reports that the schooner Fairy was sighted on tho 3rd inst., and several other vessels during the pa^i-ge, tho names of which he was unabio to ascertain.

The fine new centre-board ketch Isabella arrived in the river on yesterday evening's tide. She sailed from Mnnukau on tho 27th instant, with N.E. winds and pleasant weather, but when a few miles off tho land tho breeze died away, aud came out of the westward. Kept at S.W. and W. for two days, and then fell light and scant, and thenco until her arrival in Hokitika, roads, exceedingly light and variable weather prevailed. Capo Farewell was passed on tho 2nd hist, and Rock's Point on the 4th. and on tho following day the ketch rounded to off the bar, and being fastened to by tho Challenge, crossed the bar as above. Sue brings a full cargo, consisting chiefly of timber. During the patsago tho barometer kept high, ranging between 2995 and 3022. Passengers per Little Fred: — Cabin: Mr aud Mrs Hosking and threo children, Messrs GHover, Allen ; and eleven in tho steerage.

We see by the " Lyttelton . Times" that the schooner Flying Cloud cleared at Lyttelton for Hokitika on the 29th idt.

The following official report has been made by Captain Beveridgc, harbor-master at Pakihi, and has been courteously placed at our (" Grey River Argus") dispotsal by Mr Warden Kynxufral<# :— " Captain Beveridce reports, for the information of coasters trading on the West

Coast of tho Middlo # Island of Now Zealand, that he has oxouiinc'd the roast liuc in and about Constant Isav, Fos'a River. &.C., and finds as follows :— -That Constaul Bay is a email co~\ c, entering in from a bold rocky chore, 10 uul^s South of Capo Foulwind ; lal. 41 dec;. 56 bee. Tho culrauco is about 60 feet wide, aud runs up about 150 yards, tho whole beach from north aud south entrance being uo more thau 300 yards. Vessels, on coming to the Bay, ought to bo provided with good strong lines, anchors, chains, &c, for uiooriug purposes. In fiuo Meulher the bar ia goucrally smooth ; but if auy way rough, no vessel ought to take the bar, tho rocks being so precipitous, on either side as to render it highly dangerous. Fox's River, 12 miles bouth of Constant Bay, is a small river running into the sea, close by the north sido of a largo blufi", which is situated in lat. 42 deg. 4 sec. on the Admiralty Chart ; there aro a few rocks stretching out from tho bluff 600 yards ; there is also a rock awash at high water about 200 yards north from the main body of rocks on the south, tho entrance to tho river being on cither side of this rock ; the rocks bear S.S.E. from the bluff. . A large rock and several smaller sunken rocks lie about 50 yards from tho beach, and a quarter of a mile from the bluff. Tliis river is nnvigable for vessels drawing at most five feet water. Woodpecker Bay is one and a half miles south of Fox's River ; ifc is sheltered in moderate S.W. weather by a lai'ge rock stretching out from a high bluff; it is the best place for boats lav ling in tho neighborhood, but the shore being so bold and rocky, it would be safest to get a small craft into the river under proper signal guidance from the shore at Fox's. There is a small river li miles north of Constant Bay, on the north entrance of which there are a few rocks, and on the south a sandy beach about 300 yards to the shore. It 'is navigable for vessels drawing not more than five feet of water, and is in my opinion much superior to Constant Bay as a harbor for small vessels, should an accident occur. The depth of water from the entrance to the distance of £ a mile inwards is from 10 to 20 feet. — Alex. Beveridgk, Harbor Master, Constant Bay, Pakihi." The schooner Maid of Erin was successfully launched on Saturday, and towed up the river by the steam-tug Dispatch. The work of launching tho vessel Mas accomplished by Mr Grinlay of Hokitika, who had to employ 220 feet of ways for the purpose. — " Grey River Argus," 4th inst.

The strong southerly gales which raged in the bay during the greater part, of Tuesday did not materially abate until an early hour yesterday morning. Heavy rain fell duriug the night, and as il continued the wiud pad-, ally lessened. Its force tested in uo small degree the strength of tho cables of the ships riding at anchor, but all except the Chariot of Fame, successfully withstood ifc. This vessel had lost au anchor and seventy fathoms of chain in the course ot the day, and about eleven o'clock at ni^ht she parted from her remaining anchor, and was drifting among the vessels in her vicinity. Blue lights were burned and rockets sent up from the ship, and the harbor authorities having apprised the steam-tugs Resolute and Sophia of tho emergency, these steamers at once got under weigh, and succeed in getting the Chariot of Fame towed in safety aloagside tho Railway Pier, Williauistown. It may bo mentioned that the steam-tugs, in anticipation of come such casualty to tho ships at anchor, were quite in readiness to put off. The damage done to shipping and boats during the galo was not nearly so extensive as in previous gales in the bay. On Tuesday evening, two of thecrewol'tho ship Andrew Jackson, lying at the Railway Pier, Sandridgo, were unfortunately drowned. Ono of them lost his lifo after succeeding i'l saving that of another man. A carpenter got his leg broken by the chain of the ship Monarch. — Melbourne " Argus," Nov. 15.

The American- luos-clads. — The " Pall Mall G.izetic" snys : — "Thorc is one little matter connected with the Miantonomoh and her trip across Ihe Atlantic which Captain Fox has not thought worthy of mention, and which we learn now for the first time from the Dniled States ' Army and Navy Journal.' That famous vessel was towed across the ocean by two powerful wooden ship rigged steamers, which were dismissed when almost within sight of the European Coast. This fact, together with the captain's name x'eniinds us of the animnl that tried to hide its misfortune by piu-suading others to adopt the fashion. These monitors are very expensive articles ; and if each ono that goes to sea must take two others, though in tho mildest month of the year, to take care of her, it suggests doubts of their practical value."

Novel R ice. — A rather exciting and novel kind of nice is reported from the Bristol district. Frequent discussions had been held as to which was the quickest route from Clevcdon to Portishead, by land in a carriage, or by water in a rowing boat, and a few days since wagers were laid which led to a test. The bet was between Mr Ransford, of Champion House, and Mr Lilly, of the Ida, and the race was to be between Mr Ransford, in his pony carriage, and carrying two gentlemen besides himself, and Mr Lilly's boat, manned by four oai'smen and a coxswain. The start was made about six o'clock on the evening of the 27th August, from tho plateau Lee-grove, opposite the Channel. Before the boat showed the bets were 2tol on the pony ; but when the light, handsome craft and its crew came in sight, the probabilities seemed changed. A capital start was made, the little pony-trap getting away at a great speed. The boat also went well. Hundreds of people had goue off to Portishead to sec tho finish, and the passenger steamer delayed its departure from the pier that all on board might witness tho end of the race. The boat was first iv sight, but just a minute before it touched pier, the pony's feet clattered on the pavement of the hotel yard. It is supposed that if tho boat's crew had had v preliminary pull over the course they would have won. The distance by land is about seven miles, aud the time in which tho raco was run was 41J- minutes. Tho boat had six miles to go over. It is probable that another trial of the same character will bo made. — " Bristol Mercury."

Lae-xch of x Neat Sxiiasieb yob the Mxtbkay. — A new steamer, builfc for Mr James King, and intended for tho River Murray, was launched from Mr Fletcher's yard, Port Adolaido, on Wednesday afternoon, Novomber 7. She is named tho Fraucis Cadell, after tho pioneer of the river. Tho builders were Messrs Dudgeon and Co., of London, and tho vessel was sent out in Jramo and put together by Mr Fletcher. The frame aud topsides are of iron, and the bottom of Swan River mahogany planking ; and 6he is built in ten watertight compartments, so that tho danger to which all vessels trading on the river are liable from collision with snags will bo considerably lessened Her length is 120 ft, breadth 19i'fc Gin., and depth of hold 6ft 6in., and will be driven by side paddle* worked by a pair of thirty-horse power oscillating engines, nominal, but capable of being worked to double that power. When ready for sea she will draw not more than 2ft. fiin. water, and she is constructed with gr»at strength, as it is intended to ply across the Murray-mouth. On Wednesday afternoon, a number of gentleman assemblod at the invitation of Mr King, and, on the signal being given soon aflor high water, she glided gently into the river, the ceremony of christening being duly performed by Miss Murray, tho eldest daughter of Mr J. E. Murray, engineer surveyor. Directly after the vessel floale.i, tho company assembled and drunk success to the steamer and the enterprising owner, who gratefully acknowledged the compliment. Tho health of tho builder and the young ludy who christened the vessel were aho drunk. This morning tho Fruncis Cadell will bo taken under the company's crane and rcceivo on board her boiler and engines, and whilst these are being fitted up a number of joiners will be engaged in erecting the deck-houses which will supply tho cubin accommodation. Mr Fletcher is also ongaged in putting together two barges, butft upon the same principle as the steamer — each 110 ft. long and 16ft beam, and calculated to carry

about 120 ton 3 eaoh on a draft of threo feet, j Thoy aro intended as tenders to tho eleamor. ! — " South Australian Register," Nov. 8. Tho fire-warning signal apparatus, whi«'li hii s now for upwards of twelvo mouths bcou lilted oxporinicnlally onboard the unarmourod screw frigate Mersey, at Portsmouth, by Mr West, olcctrician, of Lwudou, was last week practicably tested iv its action uudcr the superintendence of Caplaiu W. C Chamberlain, tho officer in command of her Majcbty'e ship Asia and the sleaui rcservo at tho port. The principle of tho system introduced by Mr West is to dibtribute over tho ship's hold in certain protected positions a number of caloriuiotorrf 1 , which are connected by wires with a volcanic battery, an alarm bell, and a dial plate in the captain's cabin. The calorimeters aro simply metal bottles partly filled with mercury and lilted with boxwood stoppers. Through tho stopper projects downward the end of a copper wire, which is suspended at such a distanco from the surface of tho mercury that it requires a fixed degree of heat to expand tho mercury and bring it in contact with the end of the copper wire. This done tlie electrical circuit is completed, tho alarm bell in the captain's cabin is rung, and a flap on tho dial plate flying up exhibits a number which gives the exact portion of the ship's hold in which the extra heat is generating. The part in the Mersey's hold selected to lest the principle on Saturday was the handing room of the after magazine, tho calorimeters there being fixed in the beams, and their " temperature distance," if tho space between the ends of the copper wire and tho surface of the mercury may be so called, fixed at 154 degrees. Fires were lit in stoves in the handing room, and its temperature increased by these means to 175 degrees, when the calorimeters acted and transmitted the signal to the alarm bell aud tho dial plate in tlie captain's cabin in a most unmistakable manner. The trial was considered most satisfactory. — " Mitchell's Eegister." Seamen's Advance Notes. — In the Supremo Court at Adelaide, South Australia, tho Judges have decided that sailors' advance notes cannot be sued upon by persons to whom they arc assigned.