ARRIVAL AT HOKITIKA OF H.M.S.S. FALCON.

Westport Times, Volume II, Issue 222, 17 April 1868, Page 3

ARRIVAL AT HOKITIKA OF H.M.S.S. FALCON.

(From the West Coast Times.) The port has at last received a visit from one of Her Majesty's cruisers, and we much regret that her stay here should have been so abreviated by tempestuous weather, which, prevented that interchange of courteous hospitality that invariable takes place between ship and shore when an English man-of-war graces the waters of a port, destroyed the pleasure that, under happier circumstances must have arisen from the Falcon's visit to Hokitika, Her arrival was looked forward to with pardonable eagerness by many of the citizens, with the expectation that an opportunity would have been afforded them of inspecting the ins and outs of a ship of war—a pleasure that very few of them ever experienced—and Captain Perceval and the. officers of the Falcon may rest assured that their welcome on shore would have been meted out by no niggard hand. "We expected the Falcon last Thursday, news of her departure from "Wellington on Tuesday morning having been received here by Mr Bonar. She, however, made the passage chiefly under canvas, and so was much hindered by the light variable weather that has prevailed of late, and her arrival in consequence did not take place until one a.m. yesterday. Viewed from a distance the alcon has not an imposing look, and, therefore, when daylight came and revealed a barque rigged, vessel at anchor, some three miles in the offing, many people supposed that she was a merchant trader from Melbourne. This idea was effectually dissipated between eight and nine o'clock by the report of a gun that, fired by the stranger, seemed to make the hoiises shake on shore, its sudden boom announcing, in the plainest language, that <( Andrew" was at hand, and. would be attended to. Signals were quickly exchanged, and it was soon ascertained that the Falcon had arrived. Preparations were made to board her, albeit there was every appearance of dirty weather, and the probability of a dirty bar ere the day waned. The steamer Tarra was engaged to take a party of gentlemen on board, including Mr Bonar, the County Chairman; Mr Sale, Secretary, Mr Fitzgerald, R.M.; Mr warden Aylmer; Captain Turnbull, and several others. The trip promised anything but pleasure, as it rained in torrents, whilst the rising gale— N.E. on shore, but N.N.W. outside—sent up an ugly and increasing sea, that made the lively little Tarra dance about, to the disarrangement of more than one stomach on board. As the Falcon was neared, her goodly proportions became apparent, and at last she lay revealed, a handsome, heavilyrigged, steam corvette, carrying her smoke-stack close to and abaft the foremast. She looked in beautiful order—every rope taut and in place, and the sails furled with that exquisite precision never attained by any but your experienced man-of-war's men. The Tarra slowly struggled up under her stern, and got a line on board, and then the Falcon's first cutter, manned by a crew of smart-looking young seamen, dropped alongside, and proceeded to tranship the visitors, who at the expense of a thorough drenching and some risk, were at last transferred to the deck of the stately vessel. They were received in the kindest manner, the heads of the Q-overnment being entertained in the captain's cabin, whilst the hospitality of the ward-room and the midshipmen's mess was extended with a hearty good-will to the other gentlemen. Their stay on board was, owing to the weather, of necessity much shortened, and allowed no more than a cursory inspection of the Falcon, which viewed above deck, looked every inch a vessel of war, both in respect to order and equipment. She is a seventeen gun screw corvette, of 1200 tons register, and 100 horse power, heavily rigged as a barque, her steam being merely an auxiliary aid. Her armament, carried upon the upper deck, consists of eight a side, and one forty pound Armstrong gun that works on a swivel forwards. Of the broadside guns, twelve are thirty-two pounders, whilst the fore and after guns, on each side, are twnety pound Armstrongs. She has also a twelve pounder Armstrong field piece for shore service, and

a nine pound Armstrong for the pinnace. These few details were supplied to our representative hy one of the lieutenants. We have to apologise for their meagreness, for the Falcon certainly deserves a fuller report. The wind and weather were, however, against us, for a hasty lunch was scarcely swallowed by the Falcon's visitors ere the Tarra's whistle sounded the recall, Captain Nicholl being anxious to reach the bar whilst the chance of crossing it remained. The first cutter was accordingly piped away again, and farewells and good wishes having been exchanged, the party was transferred to the Tarra. She was at once headed for the shore, under sail and steam, cros ed the bar through a very ugly and increasing surf that, two hours later, effectually closed the port. By that time a furious gale was blowing from north, and as the roadstead was no longer a safe or comfortable place to lie in, the Falcon got her anchor and stood to sea, bound we understand, back to "Wellington, but will call at the Buller on her way. The Falcon has been four and a-half years in commission on the New Zealand and Australian stations. Her term is therefore up, and so soon as a vessel (hourly expected) arrives from Englaud to relieve her, she will hoist sail for home. Her return here is not improbable should circumstances require it.