Cite: http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article700097

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j&gîmej? Netos.

STROUD, PORT STEPHENS.

(From a correspondent of the S. M. Herald.)

We have hud h succession of wet weather, which han completely flooded the country, and prevented postal communication with Sydney for many days. The Australian Agricultural Company have postponed their annual sale from the 4th of April to the 21st, us their stock could not be brought in

from the various stations.

Captain Campbell, of the ship Wharfield, has performed a feat which was considered impracticable for many years, in taking his vessel, deeply laden, and drawing 9 feet 6 inches of water, up the Karuah River to Pumpkin Point, within three miles of the company's stores at Boorell ; this redounds the more to Captain Campbell's credit as the Eagle steamer only a week before failed in the attempt and stuck on the mud. It appears that during the absence of Mr. Scott, the acting pilot, a native black, employed in the company's boats, who has a thorough knowledge of the channel, was put on board to pioneer the steamer, but Capt. " Chatter- box" knew better than the black, and found out his mistake when he got his vessel hard and fast; he then protested that the channel had filled up and was impassable. Captain Campbell, in a sailing craft drawing more water, has effected what the steamer, with all her appliances to back and force herself over if necessary, has failed in.

The company are about to open a road from Boorell to Pumpkin Point, and to erect stores and a wharf at this spot, which will greatly facilitate the loading of wool from New England for Sydney or London by the company's new line of road to the north-

western districts.

That there will be a great saving in the distance the public can judge by comparing this route with the well known one now

used up the Hunter. I give you the exact

distances :

Miles.

From the wharf at Pumpkin Point

to Gloucester.,. 40

Gloucester to Giro . 33 Giro to Nowendoc . l8 Nowendoc to Murphy's . 15

Murphy's to Rusden's. 25 Rusden's to Armidale. 33

Total . 164

By the other route the distance is about 100 miles additional. The great advantage by the company's line is that there is abun- dance of feed and water at all seasons of the year. The company contemplate estab- lishing a blacksmith at Giro for the con- venience of parties sending wool by this

line.

April 2nd.-Captain Campbell has taken his vessel, the Wharfield, down the river, and on sounding the channel ascertained that there was a depth of 10 feet G inches in the most shallow part, and the navigation of the river was quite easy. We shull have vessels loading direct for England before long.

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