TELEGRAMS.

Star (Christchurch), 1 July 1870, Page 2

TELEGRAMS.

Wellington. — July 1, 11.25 a.m., Gothen burg, from Nelson. Port Chalmers. — July 1, 1 p.m., Phoebe, for Lyttelton. An Adelaide brigantine, the Alexandra, which was last year engaged by some officials of the Italian Government for an exploring cruise to New Guinea and adjacent islands, fell in with some rather adventurous incidents during her voyage. The Register mentions that, " after leaving New Guinea, she sailed for Maclure Inlet, where a fracas with the natives occurred. It appears that Some of the ship's company had landed previously, and the natives were supposed to be cordial in their reception from exhibitions of the usual friendly signs of kissing hands, &c., and one man, who represented himself as the chief, offered to conduct the party to the nearest village. No treachery being anticipated, this course was acceded^fb, the boat meanwhile coasting along within hail. On nearing a creek, however, the chief suddenly turned on the party, and seizing the loader's fowling-piece, knocked him senseless, and 4n an instant the fact of the party being surrounded by a thousand savages showed that warm work was at hand. Those in the second boat, which was at no great distance, witnessed the affray, and at once opened fire on the aggressors, and, being furnished with Sneider rifles, they were able to make good execution. At the first discharge the chief was mortally wounded. On the conclusion of the skirmish 50 rounds of Sneider ammunition were spent, which was increased by that fired from the revolvers, so that the natives paid rather dearly for their treachery. The leaders of the whites had three Bpeaf wounds, and another of the party some bruises, but no further damage wa3 done." Nothing is stated as to the special views of the Italian Government in directing the cruise. H.M.S Blanche recently struck a coral reef in Torres Straits, while persecuting a search for survivors from the wreck of the Spurway. On her arrival here it became necessary to place her in dock for examination ; this has been done, a survey held by the naval authorities, the extensive repairs effected by Mr J. Cuthbert, and the ship again afloat. The character of the accident ' was of so serious a nature that it appears almost incredible how she was ever got off the reef and brought to Sydney. Some idea may be formed of the position she must have been in, from th£ .fact that on striking, the bottom pf'tne ship was bodily pressed _-4cwards,^to such an extent, that two of the iron stanchions in the Ibwer hold, each of 5^ inches diameter were bent nine inches in 10 feet sweep, fairly lifting the decks ; and no small amount of praise is due to Captain Montgomery and his officers, for the indev fatigable manner with which they must have r laboured to release the ship from her coral bed. That she must be an extraordinary strong vessel is beyond doubt, or she would never have stood such an immense strain without breaking most of her fastenings ; but a carefnl overhaul has proved this not to be the case.. On being taken into the Fitzroy Dock, and placed .on the blocks, she gradually came down to her original shape, and on sighting her bottom it was found that a portion of the false keel, and the copper nearly midships, had been completely ground off, and the scarff of the main keef started. These defects have been made good, the bottom stripped fore and aft from the bilges into .the keel, a large portion . of the copper taken off the upper part of the hull, and every seam and butt . caulked and resheathed, the bottom of the ship with .heavy muntz metal, and the upper work with pure copper. The repairs have been carried out immediately under the inspection of Commodore Lambert, and we understand to his entire satisfaction. The Blanche, on being undocked on Monday, was taken alongside Mr CuthberL's building yard, where the extensive appliances at handcan be brought into more immediate use for expediting the completion of repairs and outfit. There are now from 80 to 100 shipwrights engaged on the vessel in caulking decks, &c , the crew being fully employed in repairing or making sails, refitting rigging, &c, in the large lofts attached to the establishment, giving to this portion of our harbour quite a home dockyard appearance. The Blanche will be r ady for sea in about fourteen days, and will then .proceed to the Auckland Islands. — Sidney Morn ng Herald, June 8.