SOUTHERN TRIP OF THE P.S. WALLACE.

West Coast Times, Issue 2210, 30 October 1872, Page 2

SOUTHERN TRIP OF THE P.S. WALLACE.

The p.a. Wallace, of the Anchor Line of steamers, chartered by the Otago Government to proceed to Martin's Bay, and also by the Westland Government to the intermediate ports (Okarito excepted), left Hokitika at 12.30 a.ra., on Wednesday, 23rd instant, with northerly winds and rain. At 4 a.m. passed Wanganui, experiencing heavy showers of rain and increasing sea. At 4 p.m. passed Arnot point, the wnwT still blowing heavy from the N.W. accompanied by rain, squalls, and heavy cross sea, running from N.W. and S.W. At 6 p.m. the weather cleared up and the wind fell to a calm. „At 7.30 p.m. anchored under Open Bay Islands, in Jackson's Bay. the freshets from the Haast and Okura Rivers running southerly and upwards of a distance of 5 or 6 miles from shore. During the whole of the previous 20 hours the Wallace, although deeply laden, behaved well in spite of the heavy cross sea which she had to encounter, and did not ship any water during the time. The day ended fine, light S.E. winds were experienced, and a heavy overcast sky appeared to the northwards. After ,coaling up the bunkers, left the anchorage at Open Bay Islands at 7 a.m., on Thursday, 24th instant, with light S.E. winds and a very heavy sea setting in from W.S.W. Examined carefully along the shores of the Bay for signs of smoke, but not perceiving any; passed Jackson's Head at 9 a.m. and proceeded on to Martin's Bay. The weather experienced during the first part of the day was fine with light calm winds, and afterwards fresh S.W. breezes with heavy S.W. sea still running. Arrived off the Hollyford River bar at 3 p.m., but there being too much sea on it for crossing, Captain Palmer proceeded to the south side of Martin's Bay and' anchored in Boat Harbor* The swell during the night, which was setting in very strong, caused the steamer to lay uneasy at her anchor, the anchorage being very much exposed to the westerly and N.W. seas, requiring much caution in unsettled weather. Shortly after anchoring aman was observed on the beach, and Mr Conway, the chief ofiicer of the steamer, put off in a boat through the surf for the Bhore, landed and hadha conversation with the man whose name was j. Torr. From him information was gathered that the settlers were out of provisions, and starving, aud that the females and children were in great suffering for want of the common necessaries of life. Nine of the settlers had left the settlement and had gone over the saddle to Queenstown. Mr Conway also reports that the beach in Boat Harbor is not fit for landing cargo with any extra surf on, the beach being fringed along with boulders and rocks. Left Boat Harbor at 5 a.m. on the 25th, and crossed the Hollyford River bar safely at 6 a.m. Steamed up the river to Lake M'Kerrow; taking on board on our way up, several of the settlers who bad come off in boats to meet üb. One boat contained s whole family consisting of father, mother, and iix children, the youngest being a baby in arms, all looking in a wretched condition. They were taken on board and at once supplied with hot coffee and food, until the ordinary meals for the ship- were prepared, when they were supplied with more food. The weather at the time was very stormy, blowing from the north with torrents of rain, the poor people being nttbe* deatftut* at

clothing for such inclcment>wcather. Arrived at James Town at 7.30 a.m., and moored to the bank, Lake M'Kerrow being ■ much • swollen by the recent rains. Found that the statement made by Torr on the previous evening about some of the settlers going over the saddle, and those remaining, to be in a starving condition was perfectly true in every respect, dried seal and parched corn being all the provisions the men who left started on their journey with. They also verify the reports recently published in the telegraphic intelligence, that the women and children had been gathering cockles and mutton fish on the rocks outside of Boat Harbor, having no other means of support. A daughter and son (of one of the settlers), who is a little fellow,lately remained all one night on the rocks, several miles from home, waiting for two tides, so as to be able to get a supply of shell-fish for the family to feed upon. The other food used was "pika pika" and also "mamakau," a species of fern, such as the Maoris use, which was boiled and eaten with salt. The weather remained unsettled all the day, the wind being from N.E., bar. 20-60 and the temperature of the atmosphere 54°. Captain Palmer supplied all the settlers with, provisions during the day, much to their delight and satisfaction, many of whom, no doubt, enjoyed a hearty ineal,such as they had not experienced for some time past. The Wallace remained at the settlement all that day, and also the following day, Captain Palmer still further supplying all those who desired more provisions. Williamson, from Big Basr, arrived at the settlement, having seen the steamer pass on the 24th, and he remained until she returned. He reported that his mates had left him and had gone to Queenstown, those that remained being himself, Thompson, and Davidson, and that their tucker had run out nearly two months. The Wallace left James Town, at 5 a.m., on the 27th, accompanied by the settlers down the river, whobade their companion, the Rev. A. F. Porter, good-bye; Crossed the Holly ford bar at 6.30 a.m. safely, and steamed for Big Bay, where she arrived at 7.30 a.m. Landed Williamsou and Torr, and supplied them with provisions, and also the other two men, who were determined to remain there during the summer. The men at this place were habitated iv huts, aud had orop& of potatoes and vegetables planted for summer use. They are digging on the beach above the surf ou a pipe-clay bottom, amongst the boulders, but their prospects are only moderate. Williamson reported having seen two sealing boats from Riverton passing Big Bay, proceeding south on the 25th towards Milford Sound, at which place they have their station and two small cutters. Left Big Bay at 9:30 a.m. same day, a strong sea, breeze setting in from W.S,W. Arrived iv Jackson's Bay at 3 p.m. Found two diggers ou the beach who were in search of the Maori "Mamakau." A boat was sent ashore for them, aud on arriving on board the steamer they reported that another of the llivertou sealing boats had left the Bay on the 26th and were supposed to have sailed for the Maori settlement at Bruce Bay, as they were much in want of provisions, having experienced a bad season owing to the stormy weather, and they wishing to remain on the coast two months longer. The men were supplied with what provisions they wanted, and were afterwards landed at the place where they were working, about a mile from the mouth of the Arawata Eiver. Left Jackson's Bay at 4.30 p.m., on the 28th, for the Haast River, arriving there and crossing the bar at 7.30 a.m. with 9 feet of water on it. Mr Marks, storekeeper, who was expecting the steamer, came on board and purchased what stores he wanted. He reported the death of a miner named Bateman, a native of Norway, who died on July 3rd, and was burried by his mates — his loss casting a gloom over the little community. Mr Marks's prospecting party were unsuccessful in finding gold up either the Haast or Clark's rivers, eastward •of the ranges, but he intended to prospect the country behind Arnot Point. Mathies and party were landed at this place for the purpose of finishing the track from the Haast to the-Abbey Bocks. Left Haast River at 9 a.m., bringing with us two passengers, one of whom was suffering from illness. Arrived at Bruce Bay at 1.30 p.m.,) sent the boat ashore, and blew the whistle, but no one could be found, and the steamer proceeded on her voyage to Hunt's Beach, arriving at 5 p.m. No signal being made from shore at this place, the Wallace proceeded on her voyage to Hokitika. Passed Okarito at 8 p.m , the night being dark, accompanied by heavy rain. Arrived in the roadstead at 1 a.m., and crossed the bar at 7 a.m. yesterday. The total steaming time from Jackson's Bay to the Hokitikaroadstead, occupied (including Btoppages) 21 hours. A small parcel of gold was brought up by the steamer from the various places of call. Captain Turnbull, Chief Harbor Master of Westland, who accompanied the Wallace, kindly furnished the above report.