SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

Westport Times, Volume III, Issue 468, 20 February 1869, Page 2

SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

WESTPOET. HIUII WATER. This Day ... 3.45 a.m., 410 p.m. To-morrow 4.38 a.m., 5.3 p.m. Monday ... 6.34 a.m., 6.0 p.m. ARRIVALS. Murray, s.s., Holmes, from southern ports. J. VV Kirby. agent. Feb. 19 —Wallabi, s.s., Daniels, from Greymouth Freeth and Greig, agents. Constant, ketch, from Charleston. J. Alien, agent. DEPARTURES. Charles Edward, p.s., for Nelson. Murray, s.s., for Nelson. Wallabi, s.s, for Wanganui. PASSENGER LIST. Per Charles Edward, from Hokitika—Mr Davis; -3 steerage. Per Murray, from Hokit'ka —Messrs Scis atons, Marsh, and >mith. Per Murray, for Nelson —Messrs Marsh, Kingham, and Somner. IMPORTS. Per Charles Edward, from Hokitika —1 hhd glassware, Clarke. Per Murray, from Hokitika and Greymouth —2 hhds, 3 qr-casks ale, Dodson ; 3 pkgs, C irk. EXPORTS. Per Murray, for Nelson —40 empty bags, Alien; 20 cas';s, Dodson; 6 pkgs lugjage, Marsh. The steamer Wallabi returned from Greymonth yesterday. On her arrival at that port, we understand that a signal was hoisted, signifying that she must be held in quarantine, in consequence, no doubt, of having come from Wanganui, where a fatal case of smallpox has occurred. She signalled back that she had already been into Westport, but she was not admitted until a telegram was despatched to Wellington, representing the circumstances, and asking if she should be admitted. All affirmative answer was received from Wellington, and she was admitted into the river at half-past three o'clock on Thursday. After returning to Westport, and as she was coming alongside Stanley Wharf, instructions were given her to proceed to another wharf, and in doing so she came in contact with Stanley Wharf, doing slight damage, and carrying away oue of her own davits. We understand that Captain Holmes is not to continue in command of the steamer Murray after the trip to the West Coait which she has just completed. During the time Captain Holmes has been in command of the vessel, he has been deservedly recognised bs a careful seaman, a considerate commander, and attentive to passengers ; and he will, no doubt, be missed by many accustomed to travel on the West Coast. Our attention has been directed to the circumstance of vessels with considerable quant ities of gunpowder on board being allowed fcj come at once to the Westport whxrves without having pr.-viouslv discharged their powder in a situation of safety. We are told, indeed, that only a few days ago a case of vestas, which was placed immediately beneath a quantity of powder in a vessel's hold, was found to have been en fire, and to be either partially or whol'y destroyed. It is certainly quite unusual, in any well-regulated port, for vessels having powder on board to be taken to even the usual nut to speak of wharves situated close to a town, and if arrangements can be made by which the .Melbourne vessels could discharge their t owder before being regularly moored at a discharging berth, it would be well that they should do so. At present, the risk to life and property is constant and considerable. The steamers Charles Edward and Murray both sailed on Thursday afternoon for Nelson. Captaiu Tur.ahull, Harbor-master, has thus reported to the Chairman of tho County Council upon the state of tho Teremakau : After taking careful soundings, he found the d.-ep water to ruu alongside the North bank of the same river for about three-quarters of a mile, capable of admitting steamers or vessels of the draught of water, such as the s.s. Waiparaor p.s. Yarra. But before the said river is proclaimed navigable, it will, in Captain Turnbull's estimation, require the expenditure of £SOO to remove the snags in the channel, that is from the entrance of the river to tho junction ; also a man will be required to attend for the guidance of vessels entering and departing.

The Panama Company's steamship Otago, we learn by letters by the miil, has been sold by the mortgagee in London to a mercantile firm having a branch in Japan. It was intended that she snould leave this port immediately for Japan, but a difficulty arises in consequence of local claims against the ship for stores not having been satisfied. There is also an action against her in the Vice-Admi-ralty Court for coals supplied to her, and she is in fact in possession of the sheriff in connection with this action. When and how these impediments to the Otago's proceeding will be got over, it is difficult to say. In the meantime, we observe that she has been offered for sale by the Melbourne representatives of the London owners. — Argus. A work of some value to all who are interested in the shipping both of this and the neighboring colonies, has just been issued ironi the Sydney press. It is " The Mercantile Navy List of Australia and New Zealand for 1869," prepared by Mr F. C. Jarrett. It gives the names of all the vessels registered i'i tl:e"»e colonies, with particulars of their history.