SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE. PORT OF HOKITIKA.

West Coast Times, Issue 652, 26 October 1867, Page 2

SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE. PORT OF HOKITIKA.

High Water, This Day.— 8.15 a.m. ; 8.40 p.m. To-morrow.— 9.s a.m. ; 9.30 p.m. Oct. 24, 6 a.m.— Wind, W.N.W., strong; barometer, 29-57; thermometer, 57. — 1 p.m. : Wind, N.W., light, ; barometer, 29-62 ; thermometer, 62. — 6 p.m. : barometer, 29-65 ; thermometer, 56. Weather during day, densely clouded, thick and occasional showers. ARRIVED. October 25. — Nil. SAILED. October 25.— Nil. EXPECTED ARRIVALS. Omeo, s.s., from Melbourne via Dunedin, 28th inst. Egmont, s.s., from Sydney, about 26th inst. Kangitoto, s.s., from Melbourne via Duuedin, 28th inst. Beautiful Star, s.s., from Dunediu, early. Alhambra, s.s. from Melbourne, early. 10, schooner, from Melbourne, daily. Alma, barque, from Melbourne, early. Valiant, brig, from Melbourne, early. Ceres, sohr., from Melbourne, early. Favourite, p.s., from Duuedin, early. Excelsior, schr., from Dunedin, early. PROJECTED DEPARTURES. Kangitoto, s.s., for Melbourne, 28th inst. Omeo, s.s., for Melbourne, 28th iust. ' Alice, schr., for Fox'b daily. lona, schr., for Pakihi, to-day. Alhambra, s.s., for Melbourne, early. Bungaree, schr., for Jervis Bay, to-day. Lizzie Coleson, brigtne, for Sydney, today. Bruce, p.s., for Buller and Mohikinui, today. Tasmanian Maid, p.s., for Builer, and Mohikinui, to-day. VESSELS IN POET. Brigantines — Lizzie Coleson and Isabella. Schooners — lona, John Bullock, Sea Ripple, William and Julia, Matilda, Flying Cloud, Nile, Alice, Christina Thompson, Bessie, and Bungaree. Cutter — Elizabeth. Ketches — Mary Anne, Brothers and Sister, Standard, Jane Anne, Cymraes, and Huon Belle. 8 1 earners — Challenge, Golden Land, Yarra, Bruee, and Persevere. IS THE 110AD3TEAD AND OFFING.

Tasmanian Maid, p.s. Florence lighter. Ocean Wave, schr., from Melbourne. Sarah, brig, from Launceston. Mary Cuinming, schooner, from Melbourne. Esperauza, brig, from Melbourne. Elizabeth, brigantine, from Sydney. Pilot, brgtn., from Melbourne. Harriet Nathan, barque, froai Hobart Town. Jane Lockhart, brgtn., from Sydney. G-lencoe, barque, from.Hobart Town. Annie, schooner, from Riverton. Leonidas, brgtu., from Melbourne. Lloyd's Herald, ketch, from Dunedin. Percy, schooner, from Sydney.

The departure of the Bruce has been further postponed until this morning, for although she could have easily cleared the river yesterday, notwithstanding the high flood, it was assumed that the Buller would be unapproachable after so heavy a rain — as it drains an enormous water shed — and is subject to higher flooding than any other river upon the coast, The Bruce will leave this morning at eight o'clock, weather permitting.

When we closed our last issue — a strong West gale was blowing, and the rain which had fallen in torrents daring the earlier partf of the night, continued a. steady down pour, that quite prepared us for the heavy flood that swelled the river at daybreak, but did not reach its culminating point until nine o'clock, when it was within two or three inches of the top of the wharf, forming an immense lake that covered the sand flats on the south side of the river, and stretched an unbroken sheet of turbid water to Lagoon Town. Snags and forest debris of all kinds dotted the stream, and hurried at a furious speed to the sea, which far as eye could reach in the ofllng, and to the north .and south, was dyed of a muddy hue — sure Bign that other rivers on the coast besides the Hokitika — were disgorging volumes of storm water. So heavy a flood of course produced a marked alteration in the configuration of the bar, an alteration, however, that we hope and believe has given the port a good navigable entrance ; for contrary to our expectations, the South Spit did withstand tho rush of water, and at low tide yesterday afternoon, a beautifully formed channel sweeping gently to the northward, could be distinctly traced running through the bar, directly over the site of the sand bank upon which the schooner Dart lay aground in tho morning. Once we feared that the old South Channel would reform again — as the lagoon overflowed its western bank, sending a strong stream tlmnigh the slight hollow that marks the position of tho outlet, aud also opened a new channel a short distance to the Westward of the wreck Frederic. Tho former ceased running as the tide fell, but the new channel scoured to a considerable depth — and from its appearance at low tide, we believe it will bo permanent, and act beneficially rather than otherwise upon tho bar, as it was then discharging a great deal of water that, striking the main stream obliquely, tended to give it a Northerly direction clear of the yonng South Spit, which to a certain extent was thus preserved. A strong eddy was also created in the bight formed by the spit, and that part of the beach, which bounds the lagoon — and as wherever an eddy exists, a constant depositing of silt goes on ; it is only reasonable to expect that the bight in question will be soon filled up, and thus materially strengthen the at present weak tongue of sand, that alone gives the river the desired sweep north through the bar. We scarcely anticipate that any work will be performed to day, but providing tho flood subsides, the channel should be in towing condition tomorrow, when we hope to see the major part of the roadstead fleet transferred to the river, and outward bounders despatched to their respective destinations.

The release of the Tasmanian Maid was effected yesterday morning, by the united action of the freshet and the hands employed to heave her off. Shortly after daylight the windlasses were manned, the shore gang being immediately superintended by Mr Carey (who was iadefatigable in his exertions), and Captain Turnbull, the Harbor Master, the latter being attended by his boat's crew to render any special assistance that circumstances might demand. A tremendous strain was brought to bear upon the warps, but produced ve/y littlw effect upon the Maid, until thelagoon — swelled to overflowing — burst a new channel through the bank, immediately underneath her. Thereshe yielded to the strain, anu shot across the current — and steam being up, and all things in readiness, the warps were cut, and next moment she was swept over the bar — upon which fortunately thero was very little sea running. She soon gathered away, and reached the roadstead without shipping a bucket of water. We heartily congratulate Captain Souter, and the agents, Messrs Carey and Gilles, upon her happy escape.

In his report to Captain Turnbull, Captain Heron the Okarita Harbor-master, announces the loss of the schooner Matilda, a well-known little vessel belonging to the Westland coasting fleet. On the 21st inst., she left Okarita for Bruce bay, and attempted to sail out with a very light land breeze, which failing her in the first line of breakers, she became unmanageable and was swept ashore upon tho South Spit. She was hove off again upon the next tide, and would have regained the lagoon

had the line not parted, but that misfortune sealed her fate, a3 she again drifted ashore, this time on the boulder-bank near the flagstaff, where she began to break up, and very shortly became a total wreck. Wo were in some doubt on Thursday night respecting the position of the schooner Dart, as, judging by the movements of her light, we imagined she had been washed off the middle bank and relauded upon the South Spit. It was not so, howevei", for when day broke yesterday morning she still occupied her original position, but overhanging the channel, as by that time the greater part of the bank had been cut away by the freshet. She floated shortly afterwards, and being fast by a stout line to the old Frederick, sheared across^the current into the eddy, under the lee of the South Spit, and was there anchored, and remaining afloat until the receding tide left her aground upon the south beach. Wo understand that she has not a pound of ballast in, all her cargo having been landed, and that, therefore, her crew preferred to keep the shore in board rather than be swept to sea in a vessel so situated. The Dart can be easily removed from her present position if prompt measures are adopted — as in the case of the Tasmanian Maid — to heave her off into deep water. A few days since it was reported by the Swansea Packet, schooner, that lights had been seen in the neighborhood of Recherche Bay, supposed to be signals made by some persons wrecked. The Victoria, whaling brig, Captain Scott, has now put into the bay, and confirms the above report ; in consequence of which the government have given directions that the Cobre, steamer, should proceed to Recherche Bay this morning, in order that the facts may be fully enquired into. — "Hobarton Mercury," Oct. 3. Wreck of the Emma Prescott. — We ("Lauuceston Examiner," Oct. 2nd) have received the following from our Table Cape correspondent : — "The brig Emma Prescott wrecked last Monday, 30th September, in Freestone Cove, has been condemned and sold for the interest of those concerned. She was sold to-day for Ll2O, to Messrs John Alexander, sen., Jos. Alexander, and William Jones, jun. The cargo, 122 tons potatoes, is completely spoiled, and one shipper has sold his interest in 40 tons for a glass of grog. The Emma Prescott belonged to Mr Lewis, of Melbourne, and was chartered to carry potatoes to Sydney. I heard last Monday that she was insured for LISOO, but to-day I learn that it is uncertain what amount she is insured for, as the master of the brig is ignorant of the amount himself. If very prompt measures are not adopted to float the wreck, the purchasers will save nothing except the gear, as she lies in a very ugly place.

GREY RIVER. High Watee This Day. — 8.12 a.m.; 8.37 p % m. To-mohrow. — 9.2 a.m. ; 9.27 p.m.