IMPORTS.

West Coast Times, Issue 848, 11 June 1868, Page 2

IMPORTS.

Per E. and W. Cameron, from Lyttelton — 482 bags oats, 99 bags potatoes, 12 bags carrots, 34 cheeses, 14 turkeys, order. Per Yarra, from S-reymouth — 20 tons coal, Royse, Mudic and Co. The steamer Auckland was not in sight last night, but it, therefore, does not follow that she had not arrived off the coast, as owing to the thick weather the yiew seawards was confined to a mile at furthest. It is quite possible that the Auckland may have sighted the land, and then hovo to for a change of weather before running for tho roadstead. A sudden and remarkable change in tho weather took place yesterday morning, abont an hour before daybreak, when the sky, until then clear, became densely overcast, and steady, sonking rain set in, and has since continued without intermission. The fickleness of his Clerkship of tho weather in his dealings with the West Coast has passed into the proTerb, "uncertain as West Coast weather," and therefore the dwellers in the land are supposed to be at all times prepared for whatever may turn up in this respect. But although the tendency of that faithful indicator, the wsather-glass, was decidedly downwards on Tuesday night, we scarcely expected so very decided and disagreeable a change as that of yesterday, and still less for the unaccountable rise in the sea that took place. To what can we ascribe the disturbing cause that bo mightily stirred the ocean, and in a few short hours fringed the coast with lino after lino of heavy breakers that at sunset last night extended a mile from shore. For many days pa3t the wind has held with unvarying steadiness between south and east, but chiefly in the latter quarter, and the telegraphic reports tell a similar tale of the weather on other parts of tho coast. All round the Island tho wind has been either calm or quite free of westing, if wo except Bluff Harbor, where yesterday a fresh S.W. breeze was blowing, and Blenheim, where the wind was light from west. When a heavy westerly sea comes in here, without wind, it i^ usual to ascribe the rise to a ■westerly blow outside, and wo presume this excuse must serve in the present instance, although we can scarcely admit it, considering that the sea made up against a fresh east wind, which at times veering to N.E., held all day yesterday and lost night had increased to a strong gale. We have also good reason to believe that at sea the prevailing weather has been easterly, else tho barque Alma, which sailed from Melbourne on the 27th ult., and notoriously is a good passage maker, would have shewn up. Expecting to fall in with her, Captain Wilson ran the Challenge out on yosterday morning's tide (half-past two o'clock), and as he described it " the sea was then without a ripple, with a fresh breeze off shore." He carried the wind for miles into tho offing, and therefore was astounded when he felt his vessel suddenly rise to a stiff westerly sea. He saw nothing of the barque, and so returned to tho roDdstead, and re-entered the river on the afternoon's tide by special permission of the signal man, who hoisted the red flag over the tug's private signal, but directly she was safe round the spit, doused both again. Tho Challenge was the only vessel that crossed tho bar yesterday, and as barometers went down at a great rate (moderately high range glasses standing at 29*85 last night), we do not think there is much likelihood of the channel being more used to-day. We hope to see its condition improved by the scouring influence of the freshet that is likely to result from yesterday's rain, the South Spit having thrown 1 out an obstructive tongue of sand that requires to be removed. Amongst tho shipping items contained by the " Australasian," of the 30th ult., are the departure from Melbourne of the barques Alma and Eucalyptus, both bound here. The Alma, as usual, comes here direct ; the Eucalyptus calls at Port Albert for the purpose, we presume, of loading up cattle. ■ Both vessels sailed on the 27th ult. The ketch Florence arrived in the roadstead yesterday morning, but the heavy surf on forbade any attempt being made' to get her into the river. The Florence is from Lyttelton, with produce, and when we last saw her last night was riding easily enough to her anchor, a shprt distance south of the lightor Isabella. . The weather brought business ou tho wharf to. a. d.eftd, BtaoflstiU yesterday, %n opening

hatches in tho midst of such pouring rain was not to bo thought of. We hope that work will be resumed to-day. It appears by the telegrams published elsewhere, that our little friend the Bruce was in deadly peril yesterday, and escaped almost miraculously. Mr Grecr was advised of Imposition when she first missed the bar, and the telegram contained the comforting assuranco that her case was considered as all but desperate. The next telegram said that she was struggling to clear tho surf, but " result doubtful," and then hours clepsed ere a final telegram earns announcing her safety. It appears that sho was threo hours in the break, and wo can, therefore, imngino how desperately she must have straggled for life, and that Captain Kerloy and Mr Campbell, the engineer, must have displayed uncommon skill and pluck to have saved her. Wo heatily congratulate Mr Greor upon the happy termination to liis smart vessel's serious adventure. Tnu p.s. Moutoa. — On Saturday last, Messrs Trewhcellar and Johns' new purchase, tho Moutoa, made an experimental crip from Nelson to Richmond, with a number of invited guests on board. Sho is a nice commodious little steamer, with a pair of strong disconnecting engines of large power as compared with her tonnage, which is about 40, and her engines (which with the boiler aro strong and in excellent working order), are of 16-horso power. She 110 feet long, 14 feet beaoi, and her draught of water is from 15 inches to 2 feet G inches. Her accommodation is large aud comfortable, and altogether she is likely to prove a useful, and we hope profitable acquisition to this port, increasing our means of conveyance. The measured mile, in the face of a smart breeze and rather heavy sea, she performed in something undor 12 minutes. Sho then steamed towards Richmond, anchoring some time in the Waimea River, to allow the party on board to onjoy a comfortable luncheon provided by her owners. Tho proper channel not being staked out, Captain Trewheellar did not think it prudent to go up to the wharf at Richmond, as tho tide wa3 then rather low, but sho approached within half-a-mile of the wharf, where numbers of tho Richmond people wero gathered to welcome the little stranger, which we hopo will open a profitable carrying trade, both for country produce from Richmond district and for goods from Nelson. It will be observed that on Wednesday and following days cheap excursion trips aro advertised, previous to the steamer being painted. — "Nelson Colonist," Juno 2. The splendid clipper ship Darra, Captain Lodwick, arrived in Table Bay on Wednesday evening. She is from Adelaide, 30th Jauuary, bound for Londou, and has put in here fo isupplies. On the 2nd February, threo days after leaving Adelaide, one of tho passengers, Mr Scott, died of consumption.- The vessel has ou board 14,000 birds of different kinds, which are being conveyed to England by the captain. She left Adelaide on the 30th January, eleven days after the St. Vincent, which put into Table Bay last week, and experienced light winds and fine weather during the greater ".art of the voyage. She pvoceeJed on her voyage to London yesterday afternoon, but did. not take any passeugers from this port. — Cape Argus, March li. The Pacific Steamship Company's steamer Pacific, which sailed hence for Cillao on the 10th inst., will proceed from Valparaiso to Liverpool' on the 13th May, via the Straits of Magellan, touching at Montevideo, Rio de Janeiro, St. Vincent, Lisbon, and Brest. This vessel is the pioneer of a new monrhly line established via the Straits, between tho West Coast and Europe, by the Pacific Steam Navigation Company. We learn that all the bsrths are already - taken for the first, homeward trip. The first outward bound ship of tho line leaves Liverpool in July. — Panama Star and Herald.