PORT OF HOKITIKA.

West Coast Times, Issue 676, 23 November 1867, Page 2

PORT OF HOKITIKA.

High Wateb, This Day.— 6.45 a.m. ; 7.10 p.m. 7.35 a.m. ; 8 p.m. November 22 — 6 a.m. : Wind, N., fresh ; barometer, 29 52 ; thermometer, 52. — 1 p.m. \ Wind, S.W., strong gale ; barometer, 2016 ; thermometer, 55.-6 p.m. : Wind, W., strong gale ; barometer, 29-24 ; thermometer, 55. Weather during day, very stormy and wet. ABBrVEb.^ ' *•'*« November 22.— Nil. SAILED. November 22.— Nil. EXPECTED ABBIVALS. Claud Hamilton, s.s., from "Sydney, tomorrow. Alhainbra, s.s., from Dunedin, to-day. Omeo, s.s., from Melbourne, 27th inst. Anne Moore, brgtne., from Melbourne, early. 10, schooner, from Melbourne, daily. Alma, barque, from Melbourne, early. Mary, brigantine, from Melbourne, early. Rangitoto, s.b., from Melbourne via Dunedin, 27th inst. Lord Ashley, s.s., from Nelson, to-day. Beautiful Star, s.s., from Ounedin, early. PBOJECTED DBPABTUURB. Claud Hamilton, for Nelson on Monday next.* Nile, 6chr., for Pakihi, early. Alhainbra, s.s., for Melbourne and Sydney, to-day. Rangitoto, s.s., for Melbourne, 27th inst. Lord Ashley, s.s., for Sydney, to-day. Bruce, p.s., for Buller, to-day. Tasmsuiian Maid, p.s., for Buller, to-day. VESSELS IN TORT. Schooners — Sea Ripple, William and Julia, Matilda, Nile, Dart, Bessie, Aurora, Mary Anne Christina. Ketches— Mary Anne, Brothers and Sister, Jane Anne. Cutters— Dart, Harry Bluff, Elizabeth. Steamers — Challenge, Golden Lund, Yarr.i, Favorite, Dispatch, Tasmanian Maid. It is well that the present spell of stormy weather finds the roadstead clear of inward bound vessels, otherwise there would be another tale of detention to relate, as the bar has been once more rendered utterly impassable by the heavy 6ea of the last day or two. The channel is again sanded up, and will continue so until the sea subsiding allows tho river to clear a passage through it. Yesterday morning the Challenge dropped down stream to test the capabilities of the channel, but grounded in the centre of it, the tido being then nearly full flood. She backed off again and returned to the wharf. Very heavy rain fell during the early part of tho day, and towards noon the wiud suddenly shifted from north to south-west, and commenced blowing furiously, increasing in terrific squalls of hail, sleet and rain, with thunder and lightning. The gale tamed down before sunset, but blew steadily up to an early hour this morning. Barometers re id very low, and fluctuated amazingly, in fact the mercury played at " see saw" all day, and a continuance of bad weather may be anticipated. There was no sign of the Alhainbra last night, but we understand she had arrived off the Grey, and providing she receives despatch thero may be expected here this morning. The Panama Company's steamer Lord Ashley is also due from Nelson. If cither of the harbor steamers ran reach tho roadstead and work when there, the above vessels will be sent away this evening to their respective destinations — Melbourne and Sydney. We understand that a griat many passengers will leave by them. The steamer Tasmanian Maid was ready for sea yesterday morning, but tho weather and bar forbade her departure. If it is possible to clear the river she will leave tc-day. Captain Turnbull returned to town yesterday from G-reymouth. He gives a ralher unfavorable nccount of tho steamer Charles Edward. He informed U3 that the steamer Bruce crossed the Q-rey bar, inwards, on the morning's tide, but was put upon her mettle to clear the narrow dangerous channel leading into the river. She left the Buller on Thursday, at six a.m., and was fourteen hours steaming up the coast against a heavy S.S.W. gale and sea. In the squalls Bhe made no head-way whatever, being scarcely able to hold her own. Captain Kcrley says that a schooner named Mavy is ashore on the north spit of the Mohikinui River. The schooners Bonnie Lass, Mary Jaue, and Silonia, all from Nelson, had arrived at the Mohikinui. We understand that the Bruce brought up nearly eighty passengers from Buller and Mohikinui, and 4000 oz. of gold for the Bank of New Zealand. Weather permitting ehe will make for Hokitika this morning. In consequence of the dangerous condition of the Grey bar the s.s. Keera was prevented from entering the river, and after waiting in the roadstead until Wednesday evening, etc imed away for Westport, where she will land Greymouth cargo and passengers, to be transferred to Grey by the Tasuianian Mad on her next trip. We understand that the p.s. Charles Edward has five holes in her bottom. She ha«, also, says the " Grey Argus," received a severe shaking, which has etrained her seriously and started some of her framework. We gather from the " Grey Argus" that the entrance to the Grey River is next to unnavigablc, the channel being very narrow, and runs a long way north parallel with the beach. The sea has intide great encroachments on the North Beach, necessitating the removal of the signal station to a safer position. The " Westport Times" says : — We are prepared to hear of some disasters by sea having occurred along our coastline during the lato stormy weather. We understand that portions of the beach between here and the Mohikinui are strewed with the fragments of ship's spars and boats. We hear that about ten miles to the northward a large ship's boat painted green and almost new has been thrown on the beach. The steamer Waihopai, which was recently built at Invercargill, ia said by the "Southland Times " to be intended as a regular trader between the ports of Invercargill, Riverton and Dunedin. Besides carrying cargo for the merchants at those ports, her agents, Messrs Nye and Co. (says the " Times ") have already entered into arrangements with several Dunedin houses, to carry cargo for the Lakes at through rates. The Waihopai lias been fitted with twin screws, driven by high pressure engiies, manufactured in Melbourne, of 20-horse power, nominal, but capable of working up to a much higher pressure. Her carrying capacity is about sixty tons. She has been placed in command of Captain Charles Eraser, formerly of the steamers Guiding Star and Southland, a gentleman long and favorably known in the coasting trade j it was intended that she should take n trial trip down the river on Monday, and on Wednesday or Thursday, she will start on her first voyage, going round to Dunedin for a cargo which there awaits her. <