PORT NICHOLSON.

Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chronicle, Volume IV, Issue 178, 2 August 1845, Page 87

PORT NICHOLSON.

We are indebted to the lady of Mr. Lowndes for the loan of the Wellington Independent oi the 9th, 12th, and 16th of July. These papers were sent from Wellington to Cloudy Bay, and were brought on here by Captain Thorns in the Three Brothers.

The following are the particulars of the loss of the Tyne : — Captain Robertson made Stephen's Island at daylight on Thursday, July, 3d. The wind being more favourable for Wellington than Nelson, he abandoned his original intention of calling here first, and proceeded through the Straits; made Cape Terawitte at six p.m., and anticipated being off Wellington heads at daylight the following morning. Early on Friday it blew a heavy gale accompanied with rain, which rendered the weather so thick that it was impossible to see any distance from the ship. This continuing all day, Captain Robertson was desirous of getting a sight of the land before dark, and about five, p. m., land was seen on the weather bow. The vessel was immediately put about, but she almost instantly struck on a reef of rocks close to Sinclair Head, the western side of the entrance to \» ellington harbour. The main and mizen masts were immediately cut away, and the sails set on the fore mast drove the vessel higher on the rocks. In a short time the cabins were under water, and the bulk heads destroyed. In the morning, the gale still continuing, one of the men endeavoured to carry a rope on shore, but failed from getting it entangled among the rocks, and the man reached the shore in a state of great exhaustion. The wreck was seen about eleven o'clock on Saturday morning by a shepherd named Touchings, who conveyed the intelligence to Wellington. A number of gentlemen immediately started for the wreck, which they reached about eight o'clock at night. Detachments of the militia and of the 96th regiment were also ordered to the spot. After a number of fruitless attempts, Captain Robertson succeeded, about noon on Sunday, in establishing a communication with the shore, and by means of a rope fastened to the bowsprit, the whole on board were safely landed, himself being the last to leave the wieck. Every assistance was rendered by the settlers, and the American consul, who had just arrived in the Falco, tendered the services of all the boats of that vessel towards saving the cargo, and also a small coaster he had chartered. The greater portion of the mail was thrown overboard and was washed on shore ; some part of the cargo was saved, but must have been considerably damaged. The wreck, including cables and anchors, was sold on the 14th ultimo for £35. Captain Robertson was under the impression, until he reached the shore, that the vessel had struck on Baring Head, on the eastern side of the entrance to Wellington. A considerable amount of specie was on board, intended to have been invested in colonial produce, which we regret to say has not been recovered. The total loss Captain Robertson estimates •at not less than £25,000. There was only one passenger on board.

The cutter Pickwick was wrecked off Cape Palliser, on the 29th of June, and two of the crew drowned. A small schooner, supposed to have been laden with flax, was wrecked at the same time near the Pickwick.

The whaling season has been highly favourable all along the coast. Accounts from Akaioa, to the 21st of June, state the probability of a fight taking place between the Maories in that neighbourhood; a large- number having arrived from Otago for the purpose of attacking those resident at Akaroa. The French corvette was absent at Tahiti.

The fancy woods taken home in the Tyne on her last voyage, were a losing speculation. The bark of the black birch, sent home in the Indemnity, failed to find purchasers, as its tanning property was not sufficiently strong. The staves made from black birch and hinau, taken home in the Bella Marina, were highly approved of.