PORT OF AKAROA.

Press, Volume X, Issue 1188, 28 August 1866, Page 2

PORT OF AKAROA.

August 23. A3EIVED. Minnie, ketch, Baneley, from Christchuroh, in ballast. SAIIiED. Linnet* ketch, Schenkel, for Cbristchurch. EXPORTS. J?er Linnet: 15,000 feet timber, Paweon. Monday's iseue of the "Daily Southern Cross" we briefly noticed the foundering of the Colonial. Government steamboat Pioneer, fiear Hamilton, on the previous Thursday; ond we ere now in a position to supply some .further particulars, which have been kindly furnished to us by a gentleman just returned from the Waikafo. It appears that at the time 6f the occurrence the Pioneer was on her downward course from Cambridge, the river - being very much swollen in consequence of — :the heavy rains of the previous days. In passing through the Narrows the rapidity of the downward current carried the boat at the rate of about eighteen miles an hour ; and although ' Itwas felt that in passing through shehadtouched, —- etiJHt •mra-not-coiijectured- that any 'material -injury bad been sustained, and full speed ' ahead Was continued. Shortly afterwards, ■ however, the steward noticed water to be • op between the boards of the lower deck,'tad immediately called the attention of Captain Fernandez and the engineer to the • -circttmetance.- Upon-examination they found the vessel to be leaking, but as the water did not appear to be entering very quickly, it was • deemed more prudent to continue her coarse, instead of running on the beach near- the bathing place at Hamilton. This we learn could have been effected with the greatest ease had. the slightest doubts been entertained of her inability to reach Ngaruawahia or the Waikato Hende, for the purpose of undergoing repairs. With this object in view the services of several of the military settlers, who were off pay at Hamilton, were secured} *nd a rate of remuneration offered to them of 7s per diem and provisions. The men worked willingly enough for some time, but some of them became intoxicated, and general discontent was evinced that the rate of pay wa» not higher. A demand of 2e an hour was made by several of the men, and as this exorbitant request was refused, they struck work, the consequence being that the Pioneer gradually went down stern first, as the water increased in depth in the lower portions of the vessel. J3he finally settled down at about three miles and a-half from Hamilton, on the left bank. We are assured by our informant that, had the military settlers continued at work, the vessel might have been kept afloat, and arrived with perfect safety at the Government dock, Port Waikatoi Aβ many of our readers will no doubt remember, the Pioneer is constructed with two watertight compartments, the consequence being that the fore part of the vessel, not having been injured, remains high and dry j5 : oufcpf the water, and the etern is sunk in ebout eight or nine feet.: Aβ we have before the accident was greatly flooded; but should a subsidence take place to the marked level of the previous week, little difficulty would be experienced in righting her. The exertions made by Mr Lodder, superintendent of Government ateamer3,Captain ' Fernandez, and indeed all on board, to preTent - the vessel foundering, were, we . are informed, beyond all praise. Every attempt - wee -asade-to-etop the teak by the use of blankets and iron plates, but from want of that additional assistance which could have been afforded by the military settlers, the catastrophe could sot be prevented. Immediately upon the accident being made known at Kgaruawabia and the Waikato Heads, the Bangiriri was despatched to the scene of the disaster, with a large barge; and a second barge was expected down from Cambridge. By the aid of these vessels, lashed to the Pioneer, great hopes are entertained that she will be afloat again in a few days. Colonel Moule and officers in command of the . Military Settlers at Hamilton, and the officer in command of the 57th at Ngaruawahia, rendered valuable assistance on becoming acquainted -with the mishap.—"Southern Cross," August 15. The London ship Norwood, Capt. Bristow, arrived m port on Saturday morning, after a good run of 100 daye from Gravesend. The K'' Tj»»**M crowed on the 23rd Ma,, » Iong.STOW. 3fcm down wating in .«&

| parallel of 39; afterwards experienced rough weather. Had very light S.E. trades, and lost them in latitude 21 south, longitude 34 west. Crossed the meridian of Greenwich on the 15th of June, in latitude 37 S. On tbe 16th and 17th encountered a heavy gale from the IJ.W., which increased to a perfect hurricane from the W.S.W. on the 21st, and did considerable damage during the time of its continuance. The fore-cabin bulwarks were carried away, and sundry other injuries sustained. Had easterly weather from Tasmania, and passed through Bass's Straits on Saturday, the 28th July, having experienced heavy gales from the eastward before entering the Straits. Sighted the Hen and Chickens on Thursday, and made the harbor as above. Spoke no vessels during the passage. The Norwood arrives in a healthy, cleanly condition, and reports no deaths. On -the- 9th instant- tiny -wife of Mr Howard, a second-cabin passenger, was delivered of a son. The passengers have been in medical charge of C. C Clay worth, Esq., M.D. Amongst her passengers we observe the name | of Mr 3". Selwyn, son of his Lordship the Bishop New Zealand, who has been on a visit to England ; Mr and Mrs Hoapili, natives of the Sandwich Islands, and the latter sister of the Queen Dowager of the islands; Mr Harrison, Royal Engineers, who comes out to succeed Mr F. L. Jones, of that department. Tbe following are the trades and occupations of the passengers :—Farm laborers, 7 ; brass finisher, 1 1; mariner, 1; brushmaker, 1; printer, 1; clerk, 1; ship-master, 1; machinist, 1; engineer, 1; farmers, 6 ; painter, 1; musicseller, 1; soldiers, 2 ; miner, 1; laborers, 3 : surveyor, 1; female servants, 2; gentlemen, 5; spinsters, 2; English, 32; Scotch, 3 ; Irish, 19 ; foreigners, 2 ; children, 10 : total, 64.—Ibid, August 13.