THE RUAHINE DETAINED. SCARCITY OF WATER AT LYTTELTON.

Otago Witness, Issue 2253, 6 May 1897, Page 38

THE RUAHINE DETAINED. SCARCITY OF WATER AT LYTTELTON.

Ghkistchtjrch, April 29. The Ruahine, drawing 26 ft Bin, with the contingent and rifle team on board, could not get away from the wharf this afternoon. The tide was unusually low. She leaves to-night if the tide suits. The Ruahine hopes to geb away afc 2 a.m. The tide rose only 4ft 7in, as against 7ft 6in ordinary rise. A large crowd as3embled to see bhe contingent and Bisley team off, and great disappointment was expressed. Christchurch, April 30.— The Ruahine sailed this afternoon for London. She took 4931 cases of cheese, 12,003 frozen sheep, and 27,000 lambs. The tide at Lyttelton on Thursday afternoon behaved in an eccentric fashion. The almanac gave 2.9 p.m. as the time for high water. Just before 2 o'clock the tide had risen about 4ft sin or 4ft Gin, then it suddenly fell back in au unaccountable manner, leiving 'its mark' 2ft or 2f6 6ia below usual level. It was hoped that this unusual occurrence would dead to no serious inconvenience, and the authorities waited till the expected high tide time arrived ; but the anticipated rise did notcoine, and the harbourmaster had to inform the agents of tbs Ruahine of tho ri;k they would ruu if the steamer attempted to leave the wharf. Then it was that the departure wa3 postponed. Fully an hour afterwards it was seen that the tide was " coming back" at a rapid rate, -&\\A even up till 4 o'clock there was ample water to float the steamer out safely. Thin fact was put before the ship's representatives, but they decided not to make the attempt, as by th-it time many passengers bad gone ashore, aud besides, no one could with certainty know that the tide would remain sufficiently long to successfully float the stsainer out v No one could account for the unusnal phenomenon in the least. Tho occurrence did uot repeat itself, for this morning aX 2 o'clock, or half au hour before the cue time, the tide was sufficiently hi^h to allow the steamer to proceed without a hitch.