KAIKOURA.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXV, Issue 7838, 19 April 1886, Page 2

KAIKOURA.

[FEOJSt OTTB OWN COBBESPONDENT.] The wreck of the s.s. Taiaroa so close to Kaikoura on Sud day night last created a profound sensation here when the news of the sad disaster became known. At first the intelligence was discredited, as the place where the vessel was reported to havegone ashore is so far off the proper course: When, however, confirmation of the news was received, the unanimously expressed:, opinion of those having any knowledge of the locality was that either a great blunder had been committed, or that some accident had happened to the vessel's engines. Twostatements were soon in circulation, one being that the boilers had burst and the vessel was beached; the second was that the. stearing gear had broken. Both of thes» proved to be canards. The most feaaibTft conclusion is that the land was hugged closely in order to get smooth water, wheii the full force of' the southerly gale was met with, and that the set of the current and sea together put the vessel further off her true course than the steamer's captain had any idea of. lam told that Captain Davidson, of this place, who has had years, of experience on the coast in this locality, states that ironstone in the vicinity of Waipapa Point, wheret,the Taiaroa hascome to grief, affected his compassesvery frequently when he got near ■ that promontory. There may be something in that, but the fatal departure appears to have been taken long before Waipapa was reached. The night was certainly very stormy, but more of a squally character, the moon showing oafe occasionally, affording ample opportunity for observations being made. Everyone who has visited the scene of the wreck is lost in amazement at the desertion-of the vessel when she had been placed in such a wonderfully good position for the safety of every soul.on board." It would appear that no attempt; was made to discover the vessel's whereabouts, a blind effort being made to get the boats out and leave th©ship at all costs, even this being done inr a panic-stricken manner. Some discoveries are anticipated at the nautical enquiry. /

t Public excitement is being worked up I into fever beat over the erection of a lighthouse here. The nautical men of the place say it is much required for the traffic on the coast. Unless, a light is provided we shall I have another wreck in the locality sooner or later. Steamers make the most of the smooth water between Waipapa Point and Kaikoura during and after stormy weather from,the south, and one frequently sees the lights of passing vessels rather nearer the peninsula than is prudent to ensure safetyA wreck having occurred, the natural sequence is a lighthouse—locking the door after the removal of the steed. The work at the Kaikoura and Kekerangu telegraph offices must have been greatly increased through the unfortunate eventMr ' Robertshaw was quite equal : to the business here, but a Blenheim operator had to be sent to Kekerangu to keep pace with the rush of messages. ' ' Mr H. H. Knowles, lately head teacher of" the town school, took his departure fromheiv on Tuesday. Before leaving he was presented with a purse of sovereigns by the inhabitants, and a handsome inkstand by the teachers and pupils of the school. There has been another breeze over School Committee affairs here, the Secretary having taken upon himself to invite applications for a new master without first bringing ithe matter formally beforethe Committee. Householders exchange meaning glances and shrug their shoulders in a manner expressive of dissatisfaction. The Oddfellows have formed a brasß : . band, and have already made a They are determined, they say, to succeed. The members of the Rifle Club are to have a big day's shooting on Easter Monday. The Club is getting stronger, and the members firing better. They begin to pant for a contest with other Clubs." -