SOUTHERN TRIP OF THE S.S. WAIPARA.

Westport Times, Volume III, Issue 535, 27 July 1869, Page 2

SOUTHERN TRIP OF THE S.S. WAIPARA.

Thes.s.AVaipara returned to Hokitika from her trip to the southward on Wednesday morning. Her present trip has been rather a protracted one. Owing to the bad state of the Okarito bar, she was detained there twelve days, when she got away and proceeded on her voyage. Made Bruce Bay, the first place of call, but only remained there a few hours, fearing that the miners farther south might! bo suffering from the want of pro-] visions. The Har.st River was the next place of call, but finding the bar impassable signalled to the miners that she would proceed to the next place,l which was done, and the bar of the] Okuri River was crossed. The miners! from the Ilaast met the vessel and re-j ported, as was expected, that the/1 were short of provisions. They werai supplied by Captain Bascand, and asl they were getting very little gold, some of the men elected to leave the place. Next proceeded to Jackson's Bay, but perceiving no fires steamed southward, and called in at Smooth Water Bay. Howard and several of bis mates came on board, who reported that Williamson was at Homines Cove. They had also been short oi provisions. They wished to leave Smooth Water and were taken oi board the steamer. Howard wishec to proceed to the Okuri River an<i two others to Barn Bay. The WaiparS then steamed to Hominey Cove, ' all |B signalled Williamson to go to Smoot■ Water, which he did. He stated thalffl he only wanted provisions and was defl termined to stay. The Waipara the* steamed for Barn Bay, but finding thfl sea heavy and landing impossible, rajH turned again to Smooth Water, wherm Williamson and two others werjH landed. Howard and family thejj came on board and were landed > r *fl Okuri, which was the next place call. After two days' detention proceeded on to Bruce Bay, where shjH landed her cargo. This being co w| pleted she started North. Made« stop off Okarito, but it being too daM

to make any signals out on Bhore proceeded on for Hokitika, where she arrived as above. As far as could be ascertained from the men, there had been no important discoveries of gold made. However, that may be accounted for by the fact that but few of the ftartiea had gone in any great distance rom the beach. Williamson and his mates, it is thought, have something in view, as having provisions they Btarted again for Hominey Cove. A very fine sample of coarse gold was shewn by them, procured in that direction. The men, about twenty in number, working at the Haast (North Beach), have done pretty well, the last arrivals very well indeed. There was no disposition on the pare of any of the miners to leave the South, and the impression is that they are determined to abide at least during the summer, and if possible prospect portions of the country inland.