ARRIVAL OF THE S.S. WAIPARA.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume 12, Issue 965, 1 August 1868, Page 2

ARRIVAL OF THE S.S. WAIPARA.

Tot Waipara, s.s., left Napier on Monday, 20th instant, with native volunteers and a few Europeans, bound for Poverty Bay. Arrived on Tuesday morning, after a fine weather passage, and landed the men under Young Nick's Head. Crossed in the afternoon to Turanganui, and landed part of the stores and ammunition. Received orders to proceed with all haste to Opotiki for Major Fraser, and left at 3 p.m. the same day. Arrived off Opotiki bar at 3 p.m. on Wednesday, having had fine weather from leaving. Off Opotiki spoke H.M.S. Rosario-which left Poverty Bay on Monday evening, and which had called at Opotiki to warn Major Fraser to be ready for the arrival of the Waipara—then bound to Auckland. Told Capt. Palmer of the surprise of Westtrupps party. Crossed the bar and entered the river at t6 p.m. Found Major St. John in chargeMajor Fraser being at Whakatane. The former expressed his intention to send the steamer next morning for Fraser and party, but the same night a heavy gale set in from N.E., which prevented the steamer from leaving the river. A despatch was then sent overland, desiring Fraser to march his men to Opotiki. ,'lhe rivers were aIJ flooded, and the journey -was a fearful one, lasting two days. They arrived on Friday night, and embarked next morning—Major Fraser, Capt. Tuke, and 65 men. The vessel steamed out at 10 a.tn., and had fine \realiLßSL. -^-^y«^-H-tpte^Bnrr^ggß-aiiti!iVyls.l!i. gale 'set in, and she put in the Bay foi* shelter. On Sunday at 4 a.m., the wind chopped round to N.E.. blowing a heavy gale, and the Waipara found it a hard matter to steam out against wind and sea. Got out and ran for Wangaproa, where she remained till Monday at 10 a.m. Steamed to Kawakawa roads, and was compelled to remain there another day. Left on Tnesday at 1030 p.m., and arrived in Poverty Bay next day (Wednesday) at 2 p.m., having had southerly weather all the way. Entered the Big river, and steamed to Tarnihana's pa, two miles up, where the men and remainder of stores were landed. Left for Napier on Thursday at 3 p.m., and arrived at 4-30 a.in. on Friday. She returns with supplies, this morning. The s.s. Bangatira left Auckland at S'3o p.m. on Tuesday last, with fine weather and favorable wind. Rounded East Cape at 630 p.m. on Wednesday, and arrived alongside the Government wharf at 130 p.m. on Thursday. The Star of the South, s.s., hence, arrived in Auckland on the 26th ult. She conveyed to that city the Panama telegrams, as supplied by this journal. She left Auckland on the night of the 27th for Tauranga, to bring up the remainder of Mr. Firth's cattle. On her return she would steam for Napier, She may be looked for on Sunday or Monday. Upon applying to Capt. Cellem and others, wo learn that, had the Wellington come in on Monday morning, she could not have been communicated with. The weather had moderated considerably by the time the Ashley arrived, so that the comparison between the two steamers we made on Tuesday was scarcely correct. The Rifleman, schooner, sailed for Wellington on Thursday last, for the Chatham Islands. G, S. Cooper Esa. was a passenger by this vessel, sent down by the.Colonial Government to investigate matters. A paragraph in the Wairarapa Mercury is to the effect that Mr. Watt of Napier had chartered two steamers for the conveyance of stock to Auckland. Mr. Wntt himself is unaware of the circumstance. Most likely Mr. Watt of Wanganui is the gentleman referred to. H.M.S. Rosario, after leaving Poverty Bay, called at Opotiki, to warn Major Fraser to be in readiness to proceed on board the Waipara. Off Whakatane, she encountered a terrible storm, and. was very ■ nearly driven on to the Rurimu rocks, where the chances are that she would have gone to pieces. By the use of steam and sails' the vessel was got to sea, and the sudden peril escaped from. A boat was lost in the storm, and the Rosario will have partly to refit her sails and rigging in this port. Theßosario arrived in Auckland on the 25th ult.—/Southern Cross. The Ahuriri having sustained a slight injury in her boiler, will be detained in Wellington undergoing repairs, and is not expected to arrive in Napier before Tuesday or Wednesday next. The s.s. Rangatira, bound for Wellington, took her departure yesterday at 3.30 p.m., carrying a few tons of cargo and three passengers.