PORT OF HOKITIKA.

West Coast Times, Issue 575, 29 July 1867, Page 2

PORT OF HOKITIKA.

ITigh Wateb This Day.— .720 a.m. ; 7.'ia p.m. ABBIVBD. July 28.— Stormbird, schr, Featherstone. from Launceston. Royse, Mudie and Co, agents. Bruce, p.s., Kerlcy, from Buller. F. Greer, agent. Omeo, 5.?., Edwards, from Melbourne via Dunediu. Royse, Mudie and Co., agents. SAILED. . July 28.— Sarali and Mary, brigantino Duncan, for Melbourne. Hector, brigantine, Androws, for Hobart Town. Cymraes, ketch, Perkins, for Pakihi. ENTERED IN. Kennedy, 125 tons, M. Carey, from Nelson aud Buller. Passengers — cabin : Mrs Carey, Messrs Myers, Hunter, M'Neil and 6 in the steerage. Hannah Newton, 78 tons, A. Newton, from Sydney. CLEARED OCT. Emma Eliza, 23 tons, W. M'Kersey, for Greymouth. In ballast. Cymraes, 29 tons, E. Perkins, for Pakihi. Glencoe, 159 tons, G. Phillips, for Hobart Town. Is ballast. Bella Vista, 166 tons, J. Johnson, for Hobart Town. Sarah and Mary, 157 tons, P. Duncan, for Melbourne. Aurora, 42 tons, A. Weir, for Molyneux. In ballast. Star of Tasmania, 31 tons, C. E. Melander, for Dunedin. In ballast. Kennedy, 125 tons, M. Carey, for Greymouth, Buller and Nelson. EXPECTED ABBIVALS. Omeo, 8.3., from Dunedin, to-day. Rangitoto, s.s., from Northern ports, today. Alhambra, s.s., from Melbourne, Ist August. Storm Bird, Bchr., from Dunedin, early. Mary Van Every, schr., from Dunedin, early. Falcon, schr., from Christchurch, early. Wild Wave, schr., from Christchurch, early. PROJECTED DEPARTURES. Airedale, s.s., for Nelson and Northern ports, August 2nd. Kennedy, s.s., for Grey, Buller, Fox's, and Nelson, to-day. Omeo, s.s., for Melbourne, 30th. Raugitoto, for Melbourne, to-day. Flying Squirrel, for Pakihi, early. Alhambra, a.s., for Melbourne, 2nd August. Bruce, p.s. for Fox's and Buller, today. VEH3E&S IN POUT. Barques — Bella Vista, Glencoe. Brig — Esporauza. Brigantines — Mary Cuninung, Ceres, Hannah Newton. Schooners — Matilda, Falcou, Star of Tasmania, Aurora, Alice, Banshee, Ocean Wave, Bungaree, Johanna. Ketches — Brothers and Sitter, Mary Anne, Flying Squirrel, Jane Anne, Standard, Pelorus. Cutter3— Elizabeth, Harry Bluff. fttaunei-s — Challenge, Golden Land, Yarra, Huntresß, Kennedy, Bruce. IN THE BOAD3TEAD. Clara, brigantino, from Dunedin. Valiant, brig, from Melbourne. Mary Anne, schooner, from Melbourne. A schooner, name unknown. Caroline, schr., from Melbourne. Enterpnse, ketch, from Pakihi. Isabella (lighter). Omeo, s.s. from Dunedin.

IMPOBT3. Per Stormbird— 300 bags potatoes, 55 oases jam, 400 bushels bran, 7 cases eggs, 55 bales chuff, 460 bags oats, 201 tubs butter, 5500 palings, 33 pigs, Royse, Mudio and Co. Per Kennedy, from Nelson— so cases brandy, 370 bags sugar, 400 bags flour, 60 bags salt, 1 case acid, 2 pkgs, N. Edward* ; 27 sacks rarrots, 13 sacks turnips, order ; 1 box, Colfar ; 1 roll, Ramsay and Co ; 35 kegs butter, 29 boxes candles, 4 cases, 1 box, J. Solomon and Co ; 2 casrs, 1 pkg, White, 6 bugs potatoes, Hannah; 1 case seed, Ross; 1 .bag se«ds, 1 case fowls, Ecclesfiold Bros. ; 6 boxes eggs, orrtur.

Per Hannah Newton, from Sydney — 10 kegs butter, Churches and Co; 10 kags butter, 16 hhds eggs, Duff; 11 caset, 7 kegs, 2 casks, 2 bales, Prosser ; 1 trust, Williams ; 3 bottles quicksilver, Prosser ; 2 cases, 4 casks, 3 bales, Williams ; 5 cases cheese, 25 kegs, 6 hhds eggs, Peak ; 6 hhds eggs, Burkhart ; 1 case cheese, Reeves ; 1 pkg, O'Leary ; 2 cases, order ; 4 cases, Mulligan and Co ; 10 hhds tar, Souter ; 1 case plants, order; 2 hhds eggs, 38 cases fruit, Peak ; 2 pkgs bedding, 2 cases, 1 trunk, 2 pkgs, 40 tons coal, W.S. Lockhart j 45 cases oranges, 2 casks bottles, order ; 36 cases, 2 barrels fruit, Dunning Bros. EXPOBTS. Cymraeß for Pakihi — 7 barrels, 10 cases ale, Pizzey and Co ; 7 kegs butter, 2 qr-casks wine, 2 boxes pipes, Churches and Ching ; 15 cases kerosene, 2 cases, Weir Bros ; 9 cases, 1 cask, 3 boxes, 6 pkgs, 1 bale, 1 pair bellows, J. Hirsch ; 3 tubs butter, 6 cases whiskey, 6 cases geneva,l qr-cask wine, 4 qr-casks brandy, 2 cases, Anderson and Moffat ; 3 eases,3 bales, Mulligan and Co ; 1 case hams, 8 mats sugar, 1 case fruit, 1 case salt, 6 boxes candles, 1 case cofleo, 1 case pickles, 1 case oil, 4 bags rice, 2 boxes raisins, 1 case, Morison, Law and Co ; 9 cases,Higginß ; 3 bags oats,l bale chaff,Kenney; 1 case, Munson ; 20 bags coke, \ safe, Bank of New Zealand ; 1 hhd eggs, 10 kegs butter, Dee ; 1 billiard table, Harper ; 1 caso, 2 parcels, M'Beath ; 2 hhds eggs, J. Duff; 1 case, 2 bales, Burke and M'Hugb ; 2 cases, Cohen Bros. ; 20 bags sugar, 7 pkgs, J. Solomon ; 2 cases, Cohen Bros. ; 25 pkgs, Cussius and Comisky; 5 half-cheatß lea, 1 case coffee, Parsons and Co. ; 36 pkgs, Cullcn Bros. ; 1 case mustard, 1 cask soda, 2 pkgs paper, 2 chests tea, 6 cases kerosene, E. Reeves ; 2 cases coffee, 2 do geneva, 1 qr-cask port, 2 cases champagne, 2 do brandy, 2 kegs butter, 14 bags potatoes, Gumming and Co. ; 2 qr-casks brandy, 6 kegs butter, 30 pkgs, 10 cases claret, 9 boxes tea, 16 cases porter, 10 bags flour, 10 cases geneva, Bailie and Humphrey ;' 1 qr-cask brandy, 10 cases whisky, 3 boxes tobacco, 5 pkgs, Hall and Finlay ; 3 eases, Byrne and Co. ; 1 case coffee, 5 half-chests tea, Parsons and Co. : 12 half-chests tea, 20 boxes candles, 8 boxes sarsaparilla, 6 cases whisky, 6 do champagne, 2 qr-casks brandy, 10 cases old torn, 20 casks ale, 3 cases hams, 20 cases brandy, 2 caskß barley, Spence Bros. ; 3 bales, E. Prosser ; 4 bdls picks, 1 bdl pannikins, 6 nests billies, 1 bdl twine, 1 seive, 1 case axes, 1 bag, 3 cases glass, 1 bdl axe handles, 6 nests billies, 1 keg nails, 1 doz buckets, J. Lewis. Per Bella "Vista, for Hobart Town— l2B hhds, 5 bales wool, 78 bdls sheepskins, J. Cook.

Per Sarah and Mary, for Melbourne — 139 kegs butter, Spence Bros. ; 47 kegs butter, Cassius and Comiskey; 1 8 casks butter, Spenco Bros. ; 17 casks butter, W. Polo ; 1 case glas?, 1 cose skittles, Jacobs ; 1 steam winch, Spence Bros.

Per Kennedy, for Greymouth, Buller, and Nelson. . For Greymouth : 20 tubs butter, Anderson and Mowat ; 1 pkg, Cassius and Co. For Fox's river : 2 bales drapery, Graham. For Buller : 1 case hardware, 105 sheets iron, 21 bars iron, 2 pkga, 1 cask hardware, J. Lewis; 9 bales drapery, C. Reeves and Co ; 1 cask drugs, E. Prosser ; 19 cases fruit, Gaul ; 5000 palings, J. B. Clarke ; 1 case glassware, 3 kegs nails, 1 bottle quicksilver, 3 bundles baskets, 3 bundles ridging, 3 bundles spouting, A. Shaw sad Co ; 3 pkgs, Pearson ; 1 horse, Mace.' / Ear Nelion : 8 wsee'oofleo, N. Edw»rds and Co. ' i

The schooner Storm Bird sailed from Launceston on the 13th jnstant; passed Tamar Heads at 11 a.m. next day, and pushed into the Straits with easterly weather, which, varied by one day's caluij prevailed until the 17th, when a light westerly air sprung up. This carried her to Swan Island by noon, and she then took a last departure from the land. Steady westerly breezes aud singularly moderate weather attended her across the middle ground, for until she sighted the West Coast on the 23rd neither tack or sheet was started. She made a capital landfall, Hokitika light being the first object on the coast that hore in sight, and at midnight she let go her anchor off the bar. The river not being accessable to vessels in tow, she was detained until yesterday, and then reached the wharf behind the Challenge. The Storm Bird has a full load of Tasmanian produce, and brings two passengers — Mrs and Miss Beaton. Captain Fcatherstone informs us that the brigantine Sea Bird arrived at Launceston the day before he sailed, so the race between these two smart vessels — which, it will bo remembered, left this port- on the same daj", June 20th — resulted in a victory to the Storm Bird, as she reached her destination two days before her rival. She received quick dispatch in Launceston, remaining there three days only. The bar was crossed by one vessel only — the Kennedy — on Saturday,* for although it was workable in the morning in the case of light draughts, none happened to be be ready for sea, and iv the evening the tide served too late for any practical good. There was a greater stir in the river yesterday morning, although a tide's work was spoilt by a little difficulty the Storm Bird, from Launceston, got into whilst towing in. The bar hadpened to be rather shallow for her draught, and so she stuck upon it, and the Challenge lost nearly half-an-hour getting her clear again. But for this hitch two, perhaps three, of the smaller craft outside would have fetched the wharf. When going out for the Stormbird the Challenge was accompanied by the brigantine Sarah aud Mary, bound to Melbourne. The Yarra towed out the ketcli Cymraes, which cleared for Pakihi ; the brigantinc Hector.bound to HobartTown ; and lastly, escorted the lighter Isabella to the roadstead, where she remains to tender the steamers Omeo and Rangitoto. Returning to the river the Yarra fastened to the Hannah Newton, which was just afloat, and towed her to the upper end of the wharf. We are pleased to notice the smart cutter Elizabeth once more a-lauuto, aud all but ready for sea. Sho was very severely handled when aground on the middle bank, but thanks to her staunch build, sufl'ered but little in hull, although her bulwarks and stanchions were swept off close to the covering board. This light work has shnJe been replaced ; a new rudder made, and the old mast, which carried away close to the deck, scarfed aud rcshipped. Sho, also, is fitted with a new bowsprit ; has received a careful overhaul, and when the dauiago to her main hatch-combings is made good, and her copper straightened, she will bo prepared to receive cargo. Weather pcrniittiug, to-day will sco her beached on the south bank, aud her Captain says that he hopes to commence loading on Wednesday at farthest.

Advice of the s.s. Raugitoto's departure from Nelson at 5 a.m. yesterday was telegraphed to her agent here, and her arrival may, therefore, be expected some time to-day. Weather permitting, she will be despatched for Melbourne direct on tliia evening's tide.

The p.s. Huntress will be soon in active service again, the new crank, for which she so long waited, having been brought up from Wellington by the Lord Ashley, whilst a superheater, some new tubes for her boiler, and sundry other articles to improve her machinery, arrived from Melbourne in the Frederic. These are now being fixed, and it is expectod the Huntress will be ready for sea by the commencement of next week.

The hull and lower masts of the barque Frederic were sold by auction on Saturday, and realised L9O. They were purchased by a Mr Holan, who, we understand, intends if possible, to get the old craft afloat again. She would inake^an 'excellent - coal hulk if the grant of a mooring placo alongside Gibson's Quay was obtainable from the Government.

Beyond a thirty hours loss of time, nothing more serious occurred to the Kennedy through her mishap on Thursday night, three tide's work being sufficient to get her afloat Again. Strong warps were run out to the South Spit from both quarters and brought to the steam winclf, and to lighten her a little a few tons of cargo were landed upon the middle bank, and favored by a high tide on Saturday morniug she was* hove stern first into the channel, and steamed up the lagoon. She remained there a short time, and whec the signal man hoisted the red flag ran outside, and into the river by the North Bar, reaching the wharf between 6 and 7 o'clock. The Kennedy is not at all injured, if we except the loss of one of the "heavy iron bollards upon her starboard quarter. This was broken snort off by the covering board by the tremendous strain brought to bear upon the warp (which led across it) 'whilst she was heaving off the bank and the warp being so suddenly freed, tore away several of the stauncions of the^iglit bulwark railiug that runs round the quarter-deck. This is about the extent of damage sustained. Captain Carey reports that the Kennedy left Nelson at 2 p.m. on the 22nd, rouuded the Sandspit at 6 p.m., and steamed up the coast against a strong westerly breeze aud heavy chopping sea, arriving at Westport at 1 p.m. next day. She there disembarked twenty passengers, fifteen tons of cargo and five milch cows, and put to sea again at midnight, arriving off Fox's* river at daylight on the 24th. Landed thirty passengers (chiefly from Buller) ten tons of cargo aud fifty sheep, and left at 9 a.m. for this port, arriving off the bar at 4 p.m. A strong head wind and sea was encountered from the Buller. The river being inaccessible she anchored for the night, and next afternoon tried the south channel, and caino .to griof as we have before related. The Kennedy brings about thirty-five tons of cargo, including 400 bags of flour aud eight tons of sugar. Eight passengers landed from her. She sails again for Nelson and intermediate ports this morning. The steamer Bruce returned to port yesterday morning, having made a very smart and, we may add, profitable trip to Westport and Fox's River. She left on Friday evening, with a heavy load, and arrived at Fox's at 10.30 p.m., when passengers were landed, but not cargo, the sea being too heavy for safe transhipment. At midnight she cleared out of the bay and 6teamed for Westport, arriving there at 4 a.m. on Saturday. Discharged over fifty tons of cargo in the forenoon, and having embarked some thirty passengers, re-crossed the Buller bar at 4 p.m., and three hours later again brought up in Woodpecker Bay. Landed eighteen tons of original cargo, and shipped twenty passengers, and at 11.30 p.m. left for Hokitika, proceeded up the coast under easy steam, and re iched the bar at tide time yesterday morning, crossing it at once. The Bruce brings back fifty passengers, the majority being business men. Fine weather was experienced during the trip. The brigantine Hannah Newton may be considered a most fortunate vessel, for although she was cast ashore in very perilous proximity to the two wrecks on the North Spit her deliverance was effected yesterday, without damage or loss, save the 'extra exgmse of carting a few tons of goods to tow*, ri Saturday the Hannah Newton was lightened of about half her cargo, and warps having been previously run out to the middlo bank, she commenced heaving off as the tide made, and judiciously handled passed the old Gratitude without touching her. It was, however, a close shave, and had there been any sea on a collision was unavoidable The next tide saw her clear of the Frederic and into the channel, where she was picked up by the Yarra and towed to Gibson's Quay. Wo congratulate Captain Newton on-tbe escape of hit handsome craft, and can assure him that

he has purchased a piece of valuable experience at a very low figure. A column of smoke seen to the southward shortly before dusk yesterday evening notified the approach of the steamer Omeo, from Melbourne via Dunedin. The Omeo has nearly 100 tons of cargo aud a fair passenger list for this port, and, weather permitting, will leave direct for Melbourne to-morrow.

Yesterday came in with disagreeable rainy weather, and as noon approached, a breeze sprung up from N.W., increasing to a smart blow after sunset. This, together with a general fall iv barometers betokened a dirty night, and to a certain extent was verified, as up to an early horn- this morning gusts of wind, driving up biting rain squalls, occasionally whirled through tho town, whilst the increasing sound of the surf as it boat upon the shore, indicated an uneasy time for the little fleet at anchor outside. One of the vessels composing it (the Enterprise, a small ketch) is Scarcely prepared to weather out a heavy gale, as we understand she is deeply laden with coal from Groymonth. We fear that tho bar will be impassable to-day. We cannot report; very favorably upon the approaches to the port, as, in consequence of tho low state of the river, both bar 3 have to a certain extent silted up. There is not much to choose between the two channels, the slight difference being in favor of the North, which, on Saturday morning, as sounded by the Kennedy contained a foot more of water than the other one, giving eight feet aud the other seven. At the same time, the South Channel is useless for any practical purpose, as the connection of water between the lagoon and Gibson's Quay is quite cut off by the singular extension of the middle bank, wliich has made up to a long point that fills up the gutway once navigable at high water te vessels of six feet draught. It is now reduced to a more rivulet, and piwnises to be soon altogether obliterated. The lagoon is also filling up, aud at the rate the silting process is going on is likely to be numbered with things of the past at no very distant date. The vexed bar question will be settled, we believe, Try a few good floods, which must cut away the middle bank, and so working the north channel further south will attract the back water of the river, which at present helps to scour the south bar, into the north outlet that discharges the main stream, and their united forces will, as of yore, be sufficient to keep one bar open. Until that takes placo we fear the navigation of the port will be frequently obstructed by a shallow entrance. Wo hear that tho steamer Ahuriri is still aground at the Buller, and as sho Jcaks badly it is feared ihat many of her rivets must have started. Hydrawlics, screws and other gear, necessary to relaunch her we/o despatched from this port iv tho Persevere ou Friday last, and will be forwarded on from Greymouth to Wostport in the first steamer leaving. This mishap to the Ahuriri will entail a heavy los>s upon the New Zealand Company, as tho expense of launching and fitting hor for sea again will be scarcely covered by L3OOO. ' ■

The loug-ncglcctcd Hokitika wharf is, wo are happy to say, in a fair way of boiug repaired, as the steam pilo driving machine is in position aud will commence work this morniug. Tho wharf is to be refaccd witli sheet piles, 12 in. x 6 in., aud 30 feet long,and of course the many ugly gaps iv it filled in. We hope that another row of mooring piles will be driven as soon as possible, as that sectioyl of the wharf below the transit shed is next to unprovided in this respect, and ' the vessels lying there are compelled in consequence to run out anchors to the centre of Gibson's Quay. We observe that the schooner Alice is to be sold by public auction at 2 o'clock this afternoon. Being of very light draught, she is a most suitable vessel for the Wostland coasting trade.

The brigantino Hannah Moore is advertised for sale or charter. She is built upon the most approved principle, is bran new, a clipper to boot, and can hardly fail in proving an excellent investment for capital. The " Grey River Argus " informs us that the xmfortunate Harriet has at last disappeared. Yesterday she got a terrible knocking about by the surf, and was rolled on her beam ends repeatedly, the sea making a clean breach over her, and at dusk she canted into deep water and sunk. The wreck and cargo were sold on Tuesday, the latter fetching on the whole good prices. The hull was bought by some of the boatmen for Ll3.

Another wreck has taken place at Greymouth. In reference to it tho " Argus " says, " we are very sorry to have to record that the useful little steamer Halcyon, wliich. has done such good service to the port in keeping open its communication with Brighton and Charleston, has again come to grief on her second voyage aft^r her long detention on the North Spit. In entering the harbor yesterday evening, on her return from the north, slw found a very heavy sea running, and just as she was about to cross the bar, a sea struck her, washed away tho hatchways, and extinguished the fire 3, so that she became unmanageable, and drove head on to the beach, about a mile and a half north of the Flagstaff, where she still remains, and at the time of writing, she is, we regret to say, con ■ sidcred to be in imminent danger of becoming a total wreck.

GREY RIVER 1 . High Water This Day. — 7.17 a.m. j 72.4 p.m.