PORT OF HOKITIKA.

West Coast Times, Issue 678, 26 November 1867, Page 2

PORT OF HOKITIKA.

High Water, Tnis Day.— lo a.m. ; 10.25 p.m. November 25 — G a.m. : Wind, North, moderate ; barometer, 2920 ; thermometer, 55.— 1 p.m. : Wind, N.N.W., light ; baronuter, 2038-, thermometer, 6ti.— G p.m.: Wind, North, light; barometer, 21)36 ; thermometer, 58. Went her during day fine, p.m., cloudy and threatening. ARRIVED. November 23.— Nil. SAILED. November 25. — Nil. £XI>t:CTED ARHIVATS. Allmmbra, s.s., from Dunedin, to-day. Omeo, s.s., from Melbourne, via Dunedin, to-day. 10, schooner, from Melbourne, Alary, brigantine, from Melbourne, early. Rangitoto, 5.3., from Melbourne via Dun•din, to-morrow. Lord Ashley, s.s., from Nelson, to-day. - Beautiful Star, s.s., from Dunedin, early. , PBOJKCTED DJiPARTCMIKS. Claud Hamilton, fur Nelson, to-day. Nile, sclir., for Fox's, ourly. Alhambra, s.s., for Melbourne and Sydney, to-day. R uigitoto, s.s., for Melbourne, to-morrow. Lml Ashley, s.s., for Sydney, today. VKSSKia IN TOUT. Scho-Mifis— Sea Hippie, Nile, Dart, Bessie, Aurora, Mary Anne Christina. Ketches — Brothers and Sister, Jane Anne, Enterprise. Cutters — Hope, Harry Bluff, Elizabeth. 81 earners — Challenge, Golden Lund, Y&rra, Favorite, Dispatch, Enterprise. IX THE ROADSTEAD. Anno Moore, brgt., from Melbourne. Claud Hamilton, s.s., from Sydney.

Yesterday clo3ed without the appearance of the steamers Alhambra and Lord Ashley, and there can be no doubt that their non-arrival is owing lo tremendously heavy weather encountered oir Cape Farewell that must have driven them back to the shelter of Blind Bay. AYe have positive assurance that both vessels left Nelson for the West Coast on the 21st mat., the Alhambra on the morning, the Lord Ashley O!r*tl,c evening of that day, so the public may rest assured that so soon a3 the weather permits their engagements] with this port will bo sfrietly fulfilled. A very valuable freight awaits the Lord Ashley here, to say nothing of what she will glean at Buller and Grey mouth, so her presence may be. counted on, whilst C.iptai'i, or as ho is familiarly termed " Jack M'Lean" of the Alhambra is not a man to be diverted from his purpose by a few dajs stormy weather. We make these remarks to allay a feeling of insecurity excited yesterday by absurd ' rumors to the effect' that both steamers having secured a larje number of passengers at other ports, had left Nelson direct for their respective destinations, deeming it unadvisable on the score of weather to risk detention in We^t Coast waters. These reports aro utterly baseless, as tho agents, Messrs White, and Royse Mudie and Co have received no intimation of any clitnge in the route originally determined upon. We may remark that telegraphic communication is restored with all parts of the island. We were astonished at the heavy surf that ran in yesterday morning, as from the marked decline in the sea on Sunday 'night a bar sufficiently clear to be crossed by the harbor steamers was anticipated. The sea, however, made up again, and in consequence tendering the Claud Hamilton waa unavoidably postponed. The surf slightly decreased towards sunset, so we hope to see her away this morning. The brigantino Annie Moore, from Melbourne, reached tho roadstead yesterday at noon, and anchored. Her arrival inside this morning will be entirely governed by the state of the weather and bar. Wo scarcely expect to see her at the wharf for a day or two. The " Hobart Town Mercury" reports that thebrig Nil Desperandnm put into Spring Bay, in a leaky condition, on the sth instant. Our shipping readers will remember that tho Nil Desperandum came down here last month from Dunedin, and after landing a full cargo sailed for Melbourne on the 16th ult. It appears she encountered very heavy weather, and became leaky, but as the waler was kept down without difficulty, she was kept on her course for Melbourne, uutil the 2nd instant, when (he leakage suddenly increasing to twenty-four inches per hour, she; was kept away for Hobart Town, and not being able to weather Cape Pillar, Captain Ddandelles ran for Spring Bay, there anchored tho brig, and immediately communicated with Captain CrosbicjLloji d'sagcntatHobartTown, who sent back word to keep the pumps going until he could hold a survey upon her. As Spring Bay is a very suitable place to beach a vessel, we presume the Nil Desperandum will be laid aground there for the temporary stoppage of her leuks, and afterwards proceed to Hobart Town to be docked. Wreck of the Baiiqce Affiance at Wellixgtox Head 3. — We regret to announce the total wreck at the Heads of the barque Afliance, 347 tons, W. A. Fradshaiu, master, bound from Newcastle to Lyttelton, with a cargo of 550 toi:s of coal, and 7 tons of coke, consigned to Mr G. Simson, Christchurch. For full particulars we are indebted to the courtesy of Captain Frodsham, who arrived in town last night in a state of great exhaustion. Tho Afiiancc sailed from Newcastle on the 24th October, and experienced variable weather up to the night of Tuesday, the sth instant When running in a heavy N.W. gale with thick weather in the Straits she struck a little to tin.- north of Kapiti or Entry I-land, forty miles from the harbor, shaking her stern """frame, and starting the stern post. By dint of great exertion the Captain succeeded in getting tho vessel off almost immediately, and on the morning of the following day, Wednesday, 6th inst., in consequence of not being able to keep the ship frw, he inado for Wellington as the nearest port. Not being able to make the harbor owing to the terrific gale that was blowing, and from the fact of his sails having been blown away, lie anchored in Fitzroy Bay, believing that being in smooth water he could man the puiupj, and save the vessel . and cargo. During the whole of Wednesday signals of distress were kept flying, but finding no notice taken of them, though a steamer passed in sight, Captain Frodsham, at daylight yesterday, (the ship being about settling down) ordered the cable to be slipt so that the vessel might drift on shore, and the lives of the crew, eleven in number, be saved. Tlih . was done, and the fine barque now' lies submerged in Fitzroy Bay, -the craw only escaping with a few of their personal effects. The captain ro-le into town at once- with a Maori guide, leaving hi 3 chief officer and crew at tho scene of the wreck. Wo believe the vessel was insured in the Sydney Marine Assurance Company for L 2300, and the freight and cargo for L*soo.— " Wellington Evening Post," Nov. 8.