Re-opening of the Molyneux Trade.

Clutha Leader, Volume I, Issue 39, 8 April 1875, Page 6

Re-opening of the Molyneux Trade.

After a suspension of some months, river traffic on the Molyneux is about to be renewed. Although in the past the trade has not been conduoted with any degree of regularity, the importance of the river for shipping purposes has all along been recognised. As far back as the year 1862, the Plarbor Master of Otago, in a communication to the Hon. Major Richardson, now Sir J. I*. C. Richardson, then Superintendent of the province, wrote— f< At the river Clutha in order to connect the various stations, and the large extent of valuable country that will be taken up in this district, with the Port of Molyneux, it is necessary to establish steam communication. I have reason to believe it will be a much more remunerative service to the owners of a steamer than on the Taieri river, but it will require a more powerful boat, and consequently a heavier expenditure. I would therefore suggest that j your Honor should be prepared to meet Mr E, F. Grant's or any one else's offer to place a suitable steamer on the river, and to fulfil terms that would be required of them, by causing* LSOO tu he placed on the estimates for that service. The fresh of last summer in the river would in all probability bring down several snags, and it will therebe necessary that a sum of L3QO be provided for removal of them. Owing to their shifting nature it would be desirable the steamboat contracting party should be paid for removal of these obstructions." No further action appears to have been taken in the matter until the month of November following, when a contract of agreement was entered into between the Government on the one part, and A. S. Murray and P. W. Jackson, both of Adelaide, steamboat proprietors, on the other, which proceeded upon the narrative that the last named parties had agreed to build a light draught sternwheel steamer of between 50 and 100 tons burden, of not more than three feet draught of water in full cargo. These and other conditions were undertaken in respect of a subsidy of Ll5O per month, It was further stipulated ■ the steamer should run between Port Molyneux and Tuapeka Mouth, calling at Balclutha, then named " The Ferry," and at Pomahaka, both going and returning, making the up trip one day and the down trip the next j also, to run and ply one day in each week between Port Molyneux and the Ferry, going and returning 1 the same day, taking the Quao branch on the up trip and when practicable the Matau branch down. In terms of this agreement the service was entered upon, and at the time of its commencement the best possible results were augured. Tuapeka, the Dunstan, and shortly afterwards the Wakatipu goldfields broke out, and it was urged—^not with-' out some show of reason-— <that the river was nature's highway leading to these then busy centres of mining activity* It was known that a succession of rapids occurred below the Beaumont. Beyond that, on to the mouth of the Teviot Gorge, it was equally well known that for a light draught vessel the river again became navigable. In pursuance of that knowledge, plans and projects were formed for the purpose of connecting Lawrence with Tuapeka Mouth by means of a tramway, so as to : carry supplies by way of the river to Lawrence — the centre of the Tuapeka goldfields. On the other hand a similar mode of conveyance was talked of between Tuapeka Mouth and the Beaumont, from whence supplies were to be carried by water and otherwise to the Dunstan, Wakatipu, &c. These schemes, although they were never given effect to, were nevertheless in themselves perfectly feasible. The mouth of the Molyneux became in consequence the scene of a good deal of commercial speculation and activity. Port Molyneux town sections rose to a premium, and the building trade of the place was active in proportion. That fact accounts for the number of unoccupied stores and buildings which continued to give the Port the dreary and deserted aspect it is only just beginning to get quit of. The.^Tuapeka," as the steamer alluded to above was called, continued to ply for some years, but partly we presume from lack of energy on the part of her owners, and partly from the fact that the trade had not developed as was supposed at first it would do, the traffic never made much headway. So low had it fallen about the year 1865 that the Tuapeka was taken off the river altogether, and an attempt made to run her as a saloon steamer between Dunedin and Port Chalmers, In that trade she was not a whit more success-, ful, and accordingly we find her back again to, the Molyneux after a fewmonths' absence. In the hands of a new proprietary her success was far from being commensurate with general: expectation, and. after a Varied career j she. got wrecked on a snag and sunk to • the bottom. This occurred some i eighteen months or two years ago, so that; the steamboat trade of the Moly-neux-5-with the exception of 'whas ha? been done by the coasting steamers between the river mouth and Itajtangata—has been wholly suspended, #fce . gusr^nsibn has not CWlsefl so .

T. Tr~~\ ~ . v\3 \ l V» \'A. \ V T great inconvenience as it mig;ht nave done, from' tHe" : very fact "that Jbier movements at no time were regulated so as to meet the convenience of the settlers. Still it is admitted to be a want, and it is therefore with considerable satisfaction we announce the speedy completion of the NEW STEAMER. We have already furnished particulars of this craft so that we need not enter again into details so fully as otherwise would have been necessary. Still a few particulars will not be wholly superflous. Her carrying* oapacities are said to lie equal to four times that of her predecessor. Reduced to proportions, the figures stand thus. Two hundred and fifty bags of produce was the greatest load taken by the old Tuapeka at any one trip, whereas the new steamer will be capable of carrying at least IQOO. This increased accommodation is due, not so much to increased proportions as to improvements in the build. For instance, the old craft was 90 feet long, with 18 feet beam. The new vessel is only some SO feet more one way, and three feet the other. Her deck, however, will be two feet higher. A very simple form of arithmetic will prove that these increased dimensions do not of themselves account for the increased accommodation. The secret lies mainly in the design j the bilge of the new craft being much fuller' than that of the Tuapeka. S5 much is this the case, that the bottom is just about as wide as the deck j the sides being built as near as might be, perpendicular, instead of being rounded away towards the keel. The deckhouse, wheel-house, and other cumbersome fittings which characterised the Tuapeka, are dispensed with, excepting a kind of bridge fitted up at the stern, beneath which the galley, and a few bunks sufficient to accommodate the steamer's employees is constructed. By this change the rate of speed in the one will be maintained as great, if not greater than that of the other, despite the extra amount of dead weight carried under deck. On the other hand, the alteration of bilge will so increase the buoyancy that whereas the Tuapeka drew three feet of water when light, the new steamer is not expected to draw more than eighteen inches. THE LAUNCH was fixed to take place at noon on Friday, that being, according* to the best nautical computation, the most suitable tide. The river at Port Molyneux is affected by ordinary tides, to the extent of 6 feet 6 inches, and by spring tides from Bto 9 feet. On Friday, although a high spring tide was expected, the water did not rise much higher than its ordinary level. At noon the register indicated some 1 § inches lower than was contemplated, and in these circumstances, the builder, Mr R. Mason, determined that it would not be judicious to run the risk of a failure, which might not improbably have been atattended by rather serious, if not disastrous consequences. This was to be regretted, as a large concourse of persons, both male and female, had assembled, chiefly from the neighboring districts, to witness the event. The disappointment was accepted good-natu-redly, and other sources of satisfaction and enjoyment resorted to. The weather being fine, in a place having the many natural advantages enjoyed by Port Molyneux — advantages combining mountain, wood and flood in rich profusion, these were not by any means difficult to find. At that time the opinion prevailed that the tide would not suit for the launch until Tuesday. In fact it was definitely understood to have been postponed to that day. and tide," however, "for no man abide," and on this occasion the proverb was verified to the letter. Monday's tide rose much higher than was anticipated, and in order that no suitable opportunity might be lost, preparations were at once set, about for getting the steamer afloat, A few of the residents were hastily summoned together. The " shores " being, knocked away, the ponderous barque slid gently down into her future element. In her progress between the stocks and the river, the ceremony of christening her — "The Bajclutha "-— w#s gracefully performed by Miss Patterson, daughter of James Patterson, Esq., J.P., South Molyneux. A slight hitch occurred in the motion of the vessel, but it was not of great consequence. Shs.was got afloat without delay j a ditch or trench having been cut in the beach for her reception. The remainder of her fittings will proceed without , delay. These will occupy about a.'weekj at the expiry of whicti the vessel is expected to be in sailing order. LOCAL REJOICINGS. An event of so much importance to the social and commercial prospects of Port Molyneux was,- very properly, made the occasion for- public rejoicing. By a fortunate coincidence, the anniK versary of the local lodge of Oddfellows, occurred about .the fame time, and arrangements, were made, so 'thai' both events might be celebrated on the; one occasion; In pursuance of that; plan a really ereditaJMe 1 concert arid; highly enjoyable ball took place in the | lbpal : 'naU; ; of^asJtis7o6ur^b^.Bijr "des,igr j na^id, : . the Assembly Booms, on /'the ; eyeping of Friday. The. attendance; ,w,as $rst ; rate, much better than the ■ nipre sanguine, projectors; o£ the affair ; everjanticipated. Mlerparti^uj^s 'o^ j