TO INANGAHUA BY HORSE BOAT.

Westport Times, Volume V, Issue 833, 4 July 1871, Page 2

TO INANGAHUA BY HORSE BOAT.

Mr O'Conor accompanied the horse boat, which left Westport on Thursday last, as far as Grange's Point. So far everything went tolerably well, several trifling accidents occurred, but nothing more serious than might be expected on an experimental trip. There is no doubt that, with the river banks as at present, the application of horse-power would not eftect a saving, as the beaches where the horse could work are few and very much disconnected, but enough has been done to show that the proposed towing track, when completed, will lead to the immediate application of horse power for the purpose of conveying goods and passengers to the interior. Peter Williams and party, who have taken up the horse boat, engaged a double crew for the purpose of clearing away obstructions on the Inangahua, and they intend going much nearer to Reefton with their boats than has previously been attempted. Mr O'Conor ascended and descended the river in his Eob Hoy canoe, a boat of only sixty pounds weight, built by Mr Etevenaux of this town. This boat carried about three cwt, and, although the river was very rough, it did not ship water during the entire journey.

STRANDING AND LAUNCH OF THE STEAMERS MURRAY AND WALLABI. In our last issue we bad to report the stranding of the steamer Wallabi while entering the river on Thursday night. On Sunday morning the steamer Murray cast off from the wharf for the purpose of rendering assistance in getting off the Wallabi, and it unfortunately resulted in her grounding and being driven ashore on the north spit. At the fall of the tide the vessel was lightened by discharging a portion of her coal, and a line having been run out to the south spit every effort was made to get the vessel off the following tide, with, we are happy to add, completely successful result. Shortly before ten o'clock p.m. Captain Palmer succeeded in getting her afloat, and amid the cheers of those on board, and of the large numbers assembled on the beach who witnessed their gallant efforts, the Murray steamed up the river, and moored alongside the Kennedy-street wharf. On inspecting her we were pleased to find that no injury had been sustained, nor misadventure by those who were engaged in the perilous and arduous task of heaving her through the breakers. A similar activity prevailed on board tho steamer Wallabi, where a large number of men were employed, the Harbour Master rendering Captain Daniels every assistance in his power. In her rase a line had also been run out to the South Spit, which was attached to the head of the steamer, and a second line was run out from her stern to an anchor moored in the bed of the river. As the tide ebbed the stern of the steamer was hauled into a sufficient depth of water to float that portion of the vessel, but she was not expected to be got off until yesterday morning's tide. Shortly before eleven o'clock a succession of lage seas lifted the bow and waist of the vessel, and she glided at once into deep water. Steam was then got up, and she was taken alongside Brightstreet wharf. Thss result was not generally known ; the majority of the spectators having returned to town shortly after the Murray passed up the river, but the news spread quickly that the efforts in the case of the steamer Wallabi had been similarly successful and gave rise to a feeling of general and intense satisfaction. Much kindly sympathy was expressed with the master of each vessel by the inhabitants, and more especially with Captain Palmer, as a desire to assist a fellow seaman was the sole cause of his unexpected mishap.