STAR'S SPECIAL TELEGRAMS.

Evening Star, Issue 4893, 6 November 1878, Page 4

STAR'S SPECIAL TELEGRAMS.

The Taupo's Accident.

Wblunqtok, November 6.—The Taupo was taken up on the patent slip in Evans Bay about six o'clock on Monday evening, when it was ascertained that the steamer had struck on a rock. She was grazed along the port bilge j one plate was slightly started, several were indented, and the garboard streak plate, where it is riveted to the keel, aluo being started slightly ; while the plates are bent in between the ribs for some distance. The damage was very slight, and a little oaulking made all things safe. Capt. Andrews states that the night was fine, but hazy. He remained on deck until midnight, when he went into his cabin, leaving the vessel in charge of the second mate, whose watch it was. The steamer was heading on her usual course. The accident occurred at 1.30 a.m. It is stated that the place where the Taupo struck is betweenMaoriPointaudTolojaßay. The 'Post' supplies these particulars :—"A party of four were playing cards in the smoking room, when suddenly the look-out man ran forward to the second mate, who was in charge, and called out 'Breakers ahead.' 'Oh, you be damned,' was the reply; 'I am keeping the course the captain set down for me.' Very soon after the man on watch ran forward and again called ' Breakers ahead'; then ran down, and on his own responsibility caused the engines to be stopped. Almost immediately there came a bump, then another, then a long scrunching sound accompanied by a tremulous motion, that clearly indicated that the vessel was on a reef. The captain, who was not undr&ssed, came on deck, and turning to the mate asked: ' What the devil are you doing here ?' There was great excitement. Some of the seamen seemed not a little put out; the man at the wheel fell back, partly from the shock, partly from the excitement. Some of the passengers say that a portion of the crew were busy in their bunks bundling up their clotheß and their possessions, in the expectation of some immediately-serious result." Another passenger says : " I went to my cabin shortly after midnight. Some time afterwards—a little more than an hour it appeared—l was awoke by a sudden shock which threw me right out of my berth on to the floor. I was partially dressed, and quickly made my way up the companionladder, but it was with difficulty, as the vessel was Bwaying about. There seemed to be a continual tap, tapping, and harsh grating. At the same time there was a crash of glasses, and considerable commotion above and below ; Then came a second great shock, which made made me exclaim 'My God, her back is broken.' At t'lis time I had reached the deck, and the captain had taken in the surroundings. There was broken water on each side of the vessel, and the rocks were visible too near one to be pleasant. Then the captain gave the order 'Full sped ahead.' For some time there was divided opinion as ti» whether she was moving or not. I felt sure she was, and reassured some of the passengers, one of whom had just said ' She will never come off.' But she did, and was by this time passing steadily through the water ; while the rocks were quite apparent, and the land was also looming not far off through the haze. Then the captain went to sound the well, after ordering the binnacle lamp to be lit, which had been extinguished by the shock of the ship striking. This operation ot relighting took some time, as the men were not at hand, being in their bunks preparing for the worst. At last the well was Bounded. It was happily found that there was not a drop of water in it, and the ship went on safely. It was considered by all ou board to be a very narrow escape." A Claimant

Auckland, November G.—For some days past rumor has been busy in Queen street respectmg the movements of a mysterious personage, who lighted suddenly down on Ponsonby and on Dedwood with a shoal of surveyors armed with theodolites and various instruments of war, and has asserted his indefeasible title to a large portion of that district. The mysterious stranger is supposed to be an American important of Irish extraction, who has slept on his rights like another Rip Van Winkle in some remote regien of California, quietly biding his time until that lively and progressive suburb increased and multiplied and waxed wealthy, to swoop down on the "unearned increment." Backed by his corps of surveyors, he lias been sticking up flags and gloating over the prospect of his pile, while several lawyers aro said to be engaged preparing writs of ejectment and other legal documents which may furnish litigation on a scale which will put the Napier repudiation party into the shade. Mr Rose, agent for tne Hon. James Williamson, awaits the writs with becoming resignation, feeling perfectly secure behind an entrenchment of Crown grants. The claimant is said to base hia title upon some old Native land claim. 11 rf *1 ha{ ! the following letter on the subject .— •< About four weeks ago a gentleman hailing, like the Tichborne claimant, from Australia, arrived in Auckland, having in his safe keeping properlvstamped title-deeds for 850 acres of land in Ponsonby district. For about three weeks his surveyors have been hard at work defining his property.according to his deed Proceedings are in preparation for an action or actions m the Courts. It is said that the lawyers are jubilant, the claimant is consent, and owners in that district mute and disconsolate. It appears that the Ponsonby claimant resided in Auckland about thirty years, and purchased the block at what was then considered a good price, boon after purchasing it he left our shores, holding the land as a speculation, and he is no* very well pleased with the improvements, etc., on his property. Time will tell whether he is « Arthur Urton or Sir Roger, baromt or an Artful Rodger." If the baronet, then his speculation of early days will prove a pretty cood investment. &