SHIPPING.

Evening Star, Issue 3959, 2 November 1875, Page 3

SHIPPING.

HIGH WATER, TO-IfOBHOVV, Hbaub. {J*r. CuAiaeas, j Ruubpin. 5.12 p.m, | 5.52 p.m. J C.37 p,m. FORT CIXALMEES. s>n rr>, November 3.—Janet Ramsay, schooner, 12 tons, Laiug, for Gatlin’a River. Annie, ketch, 22 tons, Haswell, for Moevaki. Nautilus, cutter, 29 tons, Baker, for Foxtown. Fanny, ketch, 2-5 tons, Williams, for Gatlin’s River. Beautiful Star, s.s., 117 tons, Peterson, for Oaniaru. Duke of Edinburgh, barque, 475 tons, Brown, for Newcastle. Passengers: Cnptai* Law, Mi. and Mrs Yiviau and child, Mrs Smith, The ship Auckland and schooner Lochiel commenced to discharge their cargoes into the railway trucks yesterday afternoon. The barque Duke of Edinburgh will take her departure this evouiug for Newcastle. In au article on shipping disasters on the New Zealand Icoast the ‘ Waitiingi Tribune’ remarks: — “ Old and experienced seamen will bear ns out iu the assertion that great neglect is often displayed by officers of ships with respect to the rvmuiugrig.’.iug, and that it repeatedly occurs, when canvas is to be taken iu, that tho bauling-gear gives way wbeu a heavy strain is put on it. If we take the coasters of Now Zealand as an example, we may safely assert Ibat ouc-lialt of them are not properly found with canvas ami cordage, and to this fact wo may attribute the loss of many vessels ou tho' coast of these islands. There are many vessels in these waters that are dependent on a single suit of sails ami spliced and respliced running gear—to push them around the rough coast of New Zealand. Besides which, strict attention is not paid to the loading of New Zealand coasters, and iu making a passage a careful master will run into harbor—if bo can reach one—rather than risk his ill-found tub iu a stiff breeze; and thus it is that wo find vessels dodging around the coast, and making for a weather shore on the approach of every buster. But there is yet another matter iu connection with shipping affairs that requires attention bore, and that is the iuconipetcucy of officers of ships. Very little difficulty is experienced by incompetent men in passing the board in this Colony; therefore we find that some officers (God save the mark !) of New Zealand ships know as much about finding their longitude as tho merest novice iu nautical affairs—indeed ‘ mates' uf ships are to be found in these waters who cannot take a meridian altitude and work it up correctly. Can our shipowners lay the flattering unction to their souls, then, that their vessels are in safe custody ? Or will they argue for one moment that the shipping interest is carefully watched over in the southern hemisphere ? ”