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Southland Times, Issue 3294, 10 January 1879, Page 2

The schooner Onward finished loading for Lyttelton, and hauled "outside the wharf ready for sea yesterday. ' '. ' - A telegram from Sydney in the Melbourne Argus* of the Ist inst., says:—The Colonial Sugar Company's new steamer Terranova called at Cooktown on Monday, under command of Captain Heseltori. She made a' good passage. She reports the total loss of the steamer Mecca on a two-fathom patch on Ifilli Beef, three, miles from Thursday Island. Captain Moody,' of the Mecca, said the; vessel struck 'the reef when going at full speed on the morning of December 24. A 1 sharp rock penetrated the vessel's bottom. The water -rushed in, put the fires out, "and filled the ship in a few minutes. The passengers -and crew took to the boats, and arrived at Thursday Island. A small quantity of opium and 10 tons of rice were the only cargo saved. The Terranova then proceeded on her voyage, and on December 29 sighted the A.S.N. steamer Ocean ashore on the north side of Nidian Bay. She steamed to her assistance, and got her off without injury, having: been • on • a muddy bottom. It was agreed -that the claim for salvage should be settled in Sydney. Captain Edmonston, of the Ocean, proceeded to Thursday Island, and took on board the crew and 'passengers of the Mecca, and will .bring them to ' Cooktown. The rice r. will be forwarded per Charlton or some other steamer.