THE LAWRENCE.

In reference to the wreck of this veßßel, the Westport Timea says : — The Lawrence was a steamer of 246 tons net, and 399 tons gross measurement. She measured 160ffc in length, 28ft in breadth, aid 8 3-sthft depth of hold and was constructed of iron. She wa3 built at Bu.iderland in 1884, and was formerly known as che ' Bortonius.' Previous to her purchase by the Mokihinui Coal Company she was innning between Sydney and the Clarence River, and was owned by Messrs John See and Company. Since her arrival here she has been commanded by Captain Leys, whose knowledge of the coast is probably as good as any man in New Zealand, he haying traded up and down in the s.s. Wallabi for bo many years. Mr William Conway was chief mate of the steamer, and Mr Ot. W. Ross engineer.. Though she was insured for £5000 her bar risk only amounted to £2000 in the New Zealand Insurance office, which Bum was reinsured as follows : — South British, £500 ; National, £250; National Union, £250 j British and Colonial, £250 ; and New South Wales Corporated, £250. This reduces the riui? in the New Zealand Insurance office to £d>oo. The cargo was not insured, the Company preferring to take their own risks. The names'of the directors of the Mokihinui Coal Company who were on board the Lawrence at the time she went ashore were Mr John Barton, of the Hutt, and Mr Thomas Eoßcruge, commercial traveller. The boat now lies in two pieces, having broken in almost fair halves. The machinery is so far safe in the after part. Several people who have examined the material of which the ve3sel is conßtruofced speak in terms of strong condemnation as to the quality of the iron plates. The boat has been almost completely dismantled. A theory is held at Mokihimii that the ridge upon which the steamer struck is caused by the dredgings from tho Buller piling up at the entrance to the Mokihinui river.