PORT OF HOKITIKA.

West Coast Times, Issue 645, 18 October 1867, Page 2

PORT OF HOKITIKA.

High Watbe, This Day. — 12.55 a.m. ; 1.20 p.m. Oct 17.— 6 a.m., wind W., strong ; barometer 29.58 ;- thermometer 50. 1 p.m., barometer 29.65 ; thermometer, 60. ■ 6 p.m., wind S.W., fresh; barometer 29.67; thermometer 55. "Weather during day broken — occasional rain squalls. ABBJTED. Oct. 17— Nil. SAILED. Oct. 17— Nil. ENTERED IN. John Bullock, 149 tons," W. Thorn, from Melbourne. EXPECTED ABBIVAI3. Phoebe, s.s. from Nelson, to-day. " Jane Lockuart, brigantine, from - Sydney, early. Beautiful Star, s.s., from Duuedin, early. Lloyd's Herald, kefcoh, from Dunedin, early. Alhambra, s.s.from Melbourne, early. 10, schooner, from Melbourne, daily. - Leonidas, brigtne., from Melbourne, early. Alma, barque, from Melbourne, «arly. Valiant, brig, from Molbourne, early. Ceres, sohr., from Melbourne, early. -Favourite, p.§., from-Dunedin, early. - Excelsior, sehr., from Dunedin, early. Omeo, s.s., from Melbourne, 25th inst. BBOJECTED DEPARTUBEB. Oineo, s.s., for Melbourne, 26th inst. Alice, schr.," for Fox's early. lona, sclir., for Pakihi, early. Alhambra, s.s., for Melbourne, early. Tasmaniau Maid, p.s., forJßuller.-to-day. Phoebe, s.s., for Wellington, and Southern Ports (transhipping at Wellington for Auckland), to-day. Bruce, p.s., for Buller and Mohikinui, today. Bungaree, schr., for Sydney, to-morrow. Lizzie Coleson, brigtne, for Sydney, tomorrow. VESSELS IV POET. Brigantiues — Lizzie Coleson and Isabella. Schooners — lona, John Bullock, Sea Bipple, William aud Julia, Matilda, Flying Cloud, Nile, Alice, Christina Thompson, Bessie, and Bungaree. Cutter— Elizabeth. Ketches — Mary Anne, Brothers and Sister, Standard, Jane Anne, and Cyinraes. Strainers — Challenge, Gold«u Laud, Yarra, Tasmanian Maid, and Persovere. I* CUB ROADSTEAD AND OFFIK*. Florence lighter . Ocean Ware, schr., from Melbourne. Sarah, brig, from Lauueeston. Mary Cumming, schooner, from Melbourne. Esperanz'a, brig, from Melbourne. Elizabeth, brigantiue, from SydneyPilot, brgtu., from Melbourne. j Harriet Nathan, barque, from Hobarfc Town. To meet the times, and to a certain extent j provide for the wishes of those of the West Coast community desirous of visiting Melbourne during the visit of his Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh, the agents of the M.A. and N.Z.S.S. Company at this port have notified by advertisement that return tickets will be issued by either of tho Company's steamers, commencing with the Omeo which sails from here on the 26th instant. It will be optional on the part of passengers to re- I turn either direct to the West Coast or via Dunedin, Lyttelton and Nelson. j The steamer Bruce from Buller and other ports north, crossed the Grey bar yesterday morning. Weather permitting she will fetch head quarters at tide time to-day. The departure of the steamer Tasmanian Maid was unavoidably postponed yesterday consequent upon tho weather and heavy surf Should circumstances bo more favorable today, she will leave for the Buller and Mohikihinui. We are informed by the agents, Messrs Carey and Gilles thaf the s.s. Keera has reached the Buller from Dunedin, and discharged her Westporb freight. She should have left for Hokitika last night, but wo presume her departure was prevented by the, tempestuous weather. It is not always that the fluctuations of barometers on the coast may be accepted as true indications of an approaching change in the weather ; but of late we have noticed that the premonitions of the glass have been verified almost to the letter, especially as regards the change which has taken place within the last forty-eight hours. Tuesday's and Wednesday's weather was delightful, "aud offered a very pleasing contrast to the inclemency of the preceding week. Tiie change, however, was not regarded as permanent, but merely a short breathing time in the storm.tliis opinion being endorsed by weather glasses, which sank steadily until midnight of the latter day,wheu the expected gale came on from north, veering to N. W., and blew furiously until the forenoon of yesterday, was almost past. Rain, too, fell in torrents, some of tho squalls being particularly severe, whilst, as usual, a high sea got up in double-quick time, and effected a magical change in the appearance of the roadstead, which but a few hours previously was in a remarkable state of quiescence. Many a time and oft we have seen a much heavier surf on than that of yesterday ; there was, however, enough of it to out only put a stopper upon towing, but also to close the port against unencumbered steamers, and hence our old friend the Bruce was kept a prisoner at Greymoutb, where, we are given to understand, the surf was frightfully heavy, whilst the Tasmaniau Maid kept fast to her moorings here instead of sailing for the Buller. Very much do we regret this untoward change, as one workable tide would have seen the balance of the roadstead fleet safely transferred to the wharf, whereas there are yet seven or eight vessels outside -waiting for another favorable break in the weather that will permit them to enter. Those at anchor rode the gale out well. One only — the brigantine Elizabeth — was under weigh, she being compelled to trust to oonvas by the loss of her ground tackle. We are sorry to hear of the stranding of the fine brigantine Susannah Booth at the Buller. It seems that she attempted to sail out of the river on (we believe) Monday last, but the ■wind (as it very often happens) failed her in the break, and she was drifted broadside upon the beach, about half a mile north of the river. We have not heard whether she is likely to get off again. Work on the wharf was much retarded yesterday by the inclement wiatber, and in consequence very little cargo was landed from those vessels which broke bulk in tho morning. We notice that the brigantines Lizzie Coleson and Bungaree are advertised to leave this port for Sydney to-morrow. The John Eyston, a barque of 346 tons, commanded by Captain Wynn, left Melbourne on August 29, in ballast, bound for Port Adelaide, and was subsequently in company with the brigantine Alexandra when off Cape Otway. From the length of time that has elapsed, the agents have very grave fears some accident has happened to tho vcbscl, and in consequence have communicated with the Government, with a view to cause tho troopers on the coast line to keep a look-out for wreckage. It was thought probable that she had proceeded to some other port, but the agents are not aware that any deviation from the original destination could be contemplated by Captain Wynn, who had a very good knowledge of the poagt, from previoui voy&gei

made in the St. Dunstau. — "South Austral 'an Register," Sept. 26. Our Circular Ilead correspondent writes :—: — "I* does nob appear to have been noticed in any of the Launceston papers the total loss of the schooner Spray, 108 tons, Captain Hai'ley, henco to Brisbane, on the 31st nit., at tlie Hummock Island, near Flinders. The vessel was the property of the master. She is insured in the Derwent and Taroav Office, also the cargo in tho same office ; and the freight in the Now South Wales Office. The master and the crew were taken on in another windbound vessel to Melbourne." — "Launceston Examiner," Sept. 28.