IMPORTS.

West Coast Times, Issue 661, 6 November 1867, Page 2

IMPORTS.

Per Banshee, from Dunedin — 29 cases beer, 25 cases stout, llorison, Law and Co ; 10 cases bacon, order j 30 bags sugar, Pizzey aud Co ; 50 eases, 5 qr-casks whiskey, J. Chesr.ey and Co'; 1 case cigars, 25 cases iuosselle, A. Cleve ; 30 cases stout, Eeclesfwld Brothers ; 200 bags flour, 60 bags potatoes, 10 cases inusta:-d, 5 cases starch, 2 case, 1 barrel almonds, 1 barrel . nuts, 2 cases arroTrroot, 1 case blacking, 20 cases oysters, 5 cases picldes, I case pills, 4 cases salad oil, 5 cases "auce, 1 case mustard, 2 cases chocolate, 5 eases marmalnde, 5 kegs barlsy, 1 case mustard, 3 cases pic'cles, A. Clere; 13 cases sauce, J. Ohesney and Co ; 2 cases boot 3, order ; 4 pacts ges boots, Parker ; 2 ca--k bottles, Oassius and Comis!;y ; 68 oags potatoes, W. L. FuTler ; 9 caoo iron, Weir Brothers ; 3 cases ircn, i.. and T. Haworth , 2 eases handles, 18 lcegs nails, Churches and Co ; 170 bags malt, Pizzey and Co ; 320 sheets zinc, 1 cask chains, 1 case tinware, 1 ease handles, 3 dozen buckets, 5 drums oil, 2 cases, 1 package, 11 cases bath brick, A. Shaw and Co ; 10 casks peas, 5 eases oysters, 9 bales paper, 4 eases confectionery, Blorison, Law aud Co j 40 cases, Be ran; G cases hams, J. H. Mills; 156 mats sugar, Royse, Mudio and Co ; 50 bars iron, Forsyth and Masters. Per Pearl, from Kaiapoi — 1600 bushels oats, 7 cases eggs, 6 bags, 1 package fowls, order. In answer to a telegram despatched yesterday morning, by Mr White, tidings of the missing steamer Airedale were forwarded from Bluff Harbor, to the very great relief of many persons, and 'o the disappointment of not a few who had '^akeupassage by her. The telegram merely stated that the Airedale had put back to the Bluff in a disabled condition ; but we heard from another quarter that she afterwards sailed for Wellington via the East Coast, so v.'c assume tliat the break-down wa3 not of a very serious nature. A telegram received yesterday fiom Dunedin by itessrs Royse, flfudie aud Co., contained the information that the steamer Alhambra was appointed to arrive at this port to-morrow, direct from Melbourne. She ■will be full of passengers. The telegram contained no reference to the Gothenburg, hence it is assumed that she will r.ot ai'rire here as expected, having probably been placed on the sl : p for an overhaul. The slow but steady-decline of barometers on [Monday, together with that seaman term " the feel of the weather," prepared us for a change but certainly not for the furious tempest of wind, heavy rain and thunder, and lighting which passed over the town between 1 and 2 o'clock yesterday morning. It commenced raining about two hours before midnight, with a rising I,W. breeze, and gradually increasing, culminated at the above time in a down pour— the like of which has seldom been experienced on thi3 coast. Crashing peals of thunder that seemed to make the earth shake, followed closely upon lightening of intense vividness, and rendered inaudible the sound of the squalls as they rattled through the streets, and betokened a rising surf, that would keep the port phut for at least a Hie or two. The gale — if 6uch it can be called — broko before daylight, and when the tide served thortly after daybreak, tho bar was in workable condition, for a short time the sea not being very heavy— whilst tho river ha'! only just commenced rising. But scarcely had an hour elapsed — when the flood came down suddenly, and with a vengeance, swelling the river until it extended almost unbrokenly to the bush upon the South bank, aud sent a tremendous current through the bar, upon which the sea looked ugly enough a3 it was broken into short angry muddy waves by the rush of the fresiiefc. It is almost needless to say that the port was not worked in the afternoon, as no steamer coidd havo stemmed tho current that ran between the spits, only occasional showers fell during the day, but a remarkably thick fog that came down from the hills, settled upon land and sea, and quite hid the roadstead. It, however, again commensed to rain heavily in tho evening, and the niglit closed with a strong Jf.W. gale and hard squalls. The flooded stale of the river yesterday ■was not very favorable for the launching of the Ocean Wave, but at tho same time compelled it, as the current cut deeply into the North Spit, and threatened to undermine tho blocks she was resting upon. Short ways were accordingly laid, and tho Challenge dropped down the river and fastened to her, and the shores being knocked away she slipped into the water, but hung by the heel, ami for a short time defied the tug to get her fairly afloat. This was at last accomplished by the aid of the people upon the epit ; . and the Challenge then towed her to the wharf, steaming slowly " against the rapid current. So far the "lato mishaps to shipping at this port have not been attended by serious consequences, every vessel (excepting the Elizabeth),

that stranded last week being again in their proper element, where we expect to see the schooner Banshee either to-morrow or the clay after. 1 The wreck sale of the brip*antine Elizabeth was held yesterday morning, upon the North Spit, by Mr Carey (Carey and Gilles), and was very well attended. The hull of the vessel, with the lower masts standing and lowor rigging attached, were put up in one lot, and fetched Ll4, bought by Messrs Tait Brothers ; and the coals she contained (about 70 tons) were next sold, and realised LIOO, the purchaser being Mr T. Hungerford. Her sails, gear, boat, and other articles were afterwards sold in separate lots, and realised fair prices. Notwithstanding the conditions of Weather, which were not altogether in favor of open hatchways, a good deal of cargo was landed yesterday, and two other vessels— the Esperanza and Mary Cumming — finished discharging. We are glad to say that the entire freight of both came to hand in fust-rate condition, which, considering their long detention outside in stormy weather, is 1 satisfactory proof of their excellent qualities as cargo -carriers. The Mary dimming was especially fortunate in this respect, as her passuge from Melbourne occupied seven weeks, of which four were spent beating about this coast. As the mail steamer Ellora approached the anchorage last evening, and was making for tlo entrance to New Harbour, a boat was lowered from F.M.S. Satellite, and sent under charge of the officer of the guard to slop the steamer and obtain the Naval mail bag ; the signal " to heave-to "at tho same time being exhibited from the man-of-war. On approaching the mail steamer, the officer in the boat hailed her to stop, but the commander replied that ho could not do so, as he had barely time to get into New Harbour before dark. As soon as ib was perceived from the Satellite that the order to stop was not attended to, a blank cartridge was discharged, and this having no further effect, a round shot was iired half a ship's length across tho mail steamer's bows, followed by another right, over her. These proved ineffectual, however, and the Ellora proceeded to New Harbour, whoro she made last about 6.30 p.m. Whether the senior naval ofliecr on the station for the time has tho right to intercept a mail steamer previous to arrival at the anchorage, and obtain delivery of the naval despatches, wo are not quite sure. It would seem desirable in times of war or disturbance (hat such a power should exist ; but its exercise in times of peace can scarcely be justified, unless in very exceptional cases. — " Straits Times Overland | Journal," September 7th.