ARRIVAL OF THE TARANAKI AT WELLINGTON.

Westport Times, Volume III, Issue 565, 9 October 1869, Page 2

ARRIVAL OF THE TARANAKI AT WELLINGTON.

(from our own correspondent.) Wellington, Oct, 2. Yesterday afternoon will be remembered with considerable satisfaction by Weliingtonians for a long time. It is about thirteen months ago since the steamer Taranaki was wrecked in St. George's Sound, and though a company was formed some months ago for the purpose of raising her, tho actual work of raising her has only occupied five weeks. Some time was consumed in the construction on the spot of the four pontoons and the gear with which the attempt was to be made. The operations have 1 een conducted by Messrs Seager and Thirkell, the former a practical engineer, and the latter a boat builder of this city, and the fact that from the time all was ready to commence opera.ions not one instance of failure, or even of a hitch, in the work has occurred, speaks volumes as to their practical ability and the care with which their plans were de-'gned and executed. The very attempt at such a work as raising a vessel lying seventeen fathoms below the surface of the sea evinces some considerable amount of enterprise in Wellirgton, and the successful completion of the work is in tiie highest degree creditable to our citizens. The engineers, the capital, the labor, and even the material used all belong to Wellington, and let us hope tho pecuniary profit will be in proportion to-the arduous nature of the accomplished task. At about two o'clock yesterday the man at the signal station informed us by signals that the Lady Bird, with the Taranaki in tow, was •in sight. Immediately that the intelligence—for which early telegrams had prepared us — was received, flags were seen hosisted up all over the town, and by the time that the two vessels appeared in the harbor the whole place presented quite a holiday appearance, *he shipping being gaily decorated, and every flagstaff in the city carrying its particular piece of bunting. Crowds collected on tho wharf.and along the beach, fair ladies as well as dignified officials, important looking merchants and heavy swells of clerks, all assembled to greet the Taranaki as an old friend on her return once more to our harbor.

She certainly presents a peculiar appearance. Her lower masts, bowsprit, and funnel are standing, the last having been painted red. Her sides are covered with a clayey kind of mUd, her top sides are covered with barnacles, but her bottom, which had been coated with Peacock's patent paint, is free from them. Her machinery is uninjured, the

steam winch having been used for coaling and the donkey engine for pumping the vessel during her passage. The poop deck is completely destroyed by worms, but the lower decks, cabin fittings, and indeed all the hardwood about her are sound.

H.M.S.S. Blanche, Captain Montgomerie, arrived from Sydney last night. She left Sydney on the 22nd ult, and towed out of the harbor the schooner Edith, under the command of Lieut. Woods, which has been purchased by the Sew Zealand Government for the purpose of surveying the coast. When off Cape Farewell she again sighted the Edith and, taking her again in tow, she brought her into the harbor. During the passage a seaman named Powell fell overboard, and the boatswain Mr Williams immediately jumped after him and succeeded in rescuing him.