ARRIVAL OF THE P.S 'TAUPEKA' AT THE CLUTHA FERRY.

Bruce Herald, Volume III, Issue 84, 9 November 1865, Page 5

ARRIVAL OF THE P.S 'TAUPEKA' AT THE CLUTHA FERRY.

(From our Special Reporter:) Most of my readers will recollect the eager anticipations of future good to—the district which were so largely entertained when inland steam communication on the noblest river in New" Zealand became, after long* striving, an accomplished fact. The p.s. ' Tuapeka' was . warmly welcomed on her advent to the Clutha waters, for which she^as expressly built, and Captain Murray was regarded as a public benefactor. The l Tuapeka' then was regarded as only a link .in the'chain which was to bring the Clutha district into, direct, and e-asy communication by -,. nature's highway with the capital. Promises were lavishly made that the chain would soon be completed, but time wore on and tha promises were unfulfilled. Then the '' Tuapeka' was found to be of comparatively little use, and fanned by mutual disappointment, misunderstanding's arose between the settlers and Captain Murray. Then the 'Win. jMiskin' was put on. between Port Molyneux and Dunedinj and for the first time the services of the ' Tuapeka' were rendered really useful. This lasted but a short time, the * Wm. Miskin' was wrecked and the previous disagreements between the settlers and the captain of the ' Tuapeka' renewed. The result was that, at the request of a large number of the settlers, the subsidy .was withdrawn by the Government and Captain Murray removed his vessel to Dunedin, Since that period" the settlers of the Clutha have virtually been shut out of any market for their produce, and consequently have been pecuniary sufferers. When the SouthernSteam Navigation Company was spoken of hopes were pretty freely, expressed that the ' Tuapeka' would again be placed on the .river to work in connection with a coastal steamer. These hopes were very shortly realized by the company pUrehasing 1 the vessel, and it was' generally known thai she was to return to the Clutha last week. In the early part of the week she made the attempt but after getting* as far as the mouth of the Taieri was obliged to put back to the Heads in consequence of the inferior coals, on board

preventing her . making way against a headwind. She returned to Dunedin, but shortly after midnight on Wednesday night steam was. again got up arid a second attempt made to reach her destination. The vessel was commanded by: her old skipper, Captain Murray. Captain Cleverly, formerly of the schooner 'Clarendon,' and who was for a long, time employed in the Clucha river removing snags beingmate, and Captain Loudon pilot. When outside the Heads the weather was found to be all that could be desired, and a rapid run of seven hours brough the Tuiipeka off Coal Point. For some time she lay ou-t---side the bar, waiting for the signal to enter, but as it was not up at ten o'clock a.m. Captain Loudon determined to enter. Just as the bar was crossed the red flag signal of ' bar fit to take' was .run up, but the Tuapeka was then brice more in what may be termed her native waters. At Port Molyneux a halt of some hours was made to allow; of the crew, who were accompViiied by their families, to locate them there.

In. the meantime, a rumor had spread through; the township of Bal Clutha that the * Tuapeka 'had been se<m crossing the bar, and many fervent hopes were expressed, that if she had done so, it might be for the last time — that she N would never again have to leave the smooth waters of the river. About four o'clock, the smoke from her funnel was seen from the township, and it was known, beyond all doubt, that she was coming- up the river. « A stay was made at Mr. Anderson's, Balmoral, to land- some cargo for that gentleman and Mr Shepherd; and about a quarter past five, the ' Tuapeka ' rounded the bend into sight of the terry, and gallantly ran into the jetty. A large number of people were assembled to welcome her back ;. and, as the familiar face of Captain Murray wns seen in the deck-house, and Captain Cleverly standing to cast the hawsers ashore, several hearty cheers and shouts of welcome rang 1 through the air. As soon as the steamer was secured, a large number of gentlemen -went- oh board to congratulate Captain Murray on his safe arrival j and, judging from the cordial expression of satisfaction interchanged, all remembrance of former disagreements &eemed to have vanished. The i Tuapeka '