TELEGRAMS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 572, 21 March 1870, Page 2

TELEGRAMS.

Poet Chalmers. — March 21, 10 a.m., Duke of Edinburgh (barque), from New-! castle ; 8 a.m., Beautiful Star, f or Ly fctelton, via Oarnaru. Greymouth. — March 21, 10.30 a.m., Wallaby, from Westport.

We learn that information has been received to the effect that the barque Ruby, for this port, which recently went ashore in Esquimalt Harbour, Vancouver's Island, had been got oS. again, apparently without sustaining any damage. She may therefore be expected to put in an appearance at an early date, with a cargo of timber. — Otago Daily Times, March 15. The schooner Nile, Capt. Brown, arrived in this harbour early on Tuesday morning last, from Kaiapoi, with a cargo of oats, sharps, bran, cheese, &c, consigned to Messrs Krull and Co. The cargo of this vessel was sold yesterday afternoon at public auction, by Mr James Smith, and realised satisfactory prices. The ketch Venture, also from Kaiapoi, grain laden, and consigned to the same firm, arrived here about the same time as the Nile. The bulk of this vessel's load is composed chiefly of barley for Mr Edmeades, Albion Brewery, in whose new malting establishment the grain will be operated upon. Both vessels will proceed to Queen Charlotte's Sound to-morrow for timber, thence to Kaiapoi. — Wellington Independent, March 1 7. The Thames Advertiser states that the Tara.ru lighthouse took fire on the night of March 3. The lighthouse-keeper was in the net of retiring to rest, when he was disturbed by th,e noise of a kerosene-lamp bursting in the pyramid building above his head, and in a few minutes after the wooden structure ■was in flames. The family had barely time to remove a few articles of furniture to a place of safety ere the roof above them gave way, in consequence of two cases of kerosene which were stored overhead taking fire. The pyramid, which was totally destroyed, was for some time in use on the Queen street Wharf, Auckland, where the lights were used to guide vessels coming up harbour, before their removal to the Thames lighthouse. The fire burned for about thirty minutes, and was eventually extinguished by the exertions of thp lighthouse-keoper, assiste 1 by a number of men, fortunately without extending to any other building, or even destroying the lower portion thereof. The Tanumki is being rapidly fitted out ; she has quite lost the wrecked, dilapidated appearance she so long presented, and looks once more like the fine strong vessel aha really is. She has been fitted with new masts and spars, the rigging of which is about com pleted; the decks are laid and caulked, with the exception of a small portion of the main deck, which is left until the work in the engine-room is completed. The engines, after thorough overhaul, are being put together, and it is quite evident that a little working will reader them as bright as ever. The repairs to the boiler are nearly completed, and carpenters and painters are busy at work rest-ring and decorating the cabins. The company confidently expect that in a very few weeks they will be able to announce a trial trip. Of course there are certain things to be done to the vesael which cannot be done, ex< ept she is docked or placed on a slip, and she will have to go to Dunedin for that purpose, but that is no fault of the company, they have done all they possibly could to complete the repairs in Wellington, and the disgrace of having to send vessels requiring to have their bottoms cleaned, or some trivial repairs executed under the water line, to oth r porta, must remain with those whose apathy and shorsightedneaa have hitherto prevented the erection of a slip or a dock. — Welhng'on Evening Post, March 16. The Nelson Colonist of March 15, says:— On Friday last intelligence was received in town, by telegram from White's Bay, that the barque Hera (Terkelson, master), loading wool at Port Underwood, was on fire. The vessel was then taken towards the shore, near White's Bay. The latest particulars are contained in the following telegram, which we received yesterday afternoon :— «* Blenheim, Marth 14, 1870. The 'Express' reporter returned. The Hera is totally I destroyed, burned below copper. She heeled ! over towards deep water, her port side being | in sixteen feet. She lies broadside on, and nothing has been saved. The fire broke out aft among the flax. There is no suspicion. The Osprey's pump 3 (Mr Redwood's little steamer), broke down near the bar on Saturday, aud she put back to Port Underwood for repairs, which were given yesterday." ! Another telegram, dated yesterday morning, says :-— " Hera burned down to water's edge. Not a package of cargo saved. Some wool in the lower hold, under water, will be surveyed, in addition to the official inquest which will be required." It is premature to speculate on the cause of the fire, but rumour is rife that it was scarcely accidental, and

people do not scruple to point to dissatisfaction among the crew, some of whom had escaped, been put in prison, and delivered over to the master in handcuffs when he left Nelson. The Hera, which was 440 tons register, was pretty well filled up with wool, some wheat, and a few bales of flax.