MARITIME AND MILITARY.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume II, Issue 106, 13 April 1863, Page 3

MARITIME AND MILITARY.

[From the New Zealander , (Summary), April 2.]

Our harbor, which was for some time rather bare, now exhibits a pretty fair sprinkling of shipping, with every appearance of a speedy augmentation. Immigration is steadily increasing, not to Auckland only, but to all the other settlements of New Zealand. Here, at this moment we have two London ships, Claramont and Josephine, discharging, and two others, Royal Bride and Nimroud shortly expected to arrive. In addition to these there were four large ships on the berth at London, War Spirit of 1234 tons register, Messrs. Willis, Gann, & Co., and Aloe, of 1024 tons register, to have

sailed on 31st January, Telegraph, 1164 tons register, and Maggie Miller, 1332 tons, Messers Shaw, Saville, & Co. The ships recently sent to Auckland by this firm have been of the very highest class, in proof whereof we need but point to the noble clipper Claramont now discharging at the Queen-street Wharf; to the Silver Eagle, not long since in these waters, than which a finer specimen of the modern clipper it would be difficult to meet with. Besides the three ships already mentioned, we learn that these gentlemen have two other ships in reserve, and which in due time will follow. They are Queen of Australia, 1231 tons register, and Queen of Beauty, 1235 tons register, both ships built under particular inspection in 1861. There is thus a manifest improvement in the class and character of the present and coming passenger ships from that with which we were afflicted last year. It is not, however, always in a charterer’s power to procure such ships as he might desire;'and in explanation of the cause that led to the employment of smaller and inferior vessels during the past season, a friend in London writes to us thus :

It is to bo regretted that the long passages made by the Blundell and one,or two other ships should have brought Shaw, Savill, & Co’s line into bad odor with you. They are making every possible amende in the fine class of ships they have since despatched and are continuing to send. With the largest market in the world from which to choose, even London has its limits : and occasionally, especially after a long continuance of easterly winds, it may happen that no fine ships are to be had. There have been instances where chai'terers have been for a month on the look out, without being able to find a suitable ship at any price. This may explain to you*the fixing of the Blundell and others. At the time that she was laid on, such a difficulty had occurred, and it was aggravated by the Trent affair and the prospect of w r ar with America. There were few ships in London, and for six weeks the owners of these few hung on in the hope of war and war prices. A recurrence of such difficulties it would, of course, be impossible to prevent; all that can be done, and that is now being done, is to fix upon good ships beforehand, as opportunity offers.

With respect to steam communication, in-ter-colonial, as well as inter-provincial, there is a marked improvement already observable and with the early promise of a still larger measure of accommodation. The I.C.R.M. Go’s are now fully sensible of past deficiencies, aud of the urgency of immediate amendment. Three additional boats, we believe, may forthwith be looked for. The first is the Phoebe, a fine, fast, iron ship of 397 tons register, 120 horse power, long and favorably known in the Mail Service of the Cape, of Good Hope. The next, with which'.Capt. Gibson is to follow on the spur, is the Paulel, also an iron siiip of the most approved construction, sumptuously fitted up, of 800 tons, 150 horse power—she was launched on the 3rd of January, on the Tyne, having been built by Messrs Mitchell, the constructors of Claude Hamilton. She is reported to be a very handsome ship, and may be looked for in the course of the next two months. $

The Prince Alfred proves ta he one of the fastest ships in these waters, and will ere long pay Auckland a visit; either she or Paulet being about to be placed on the Auckland and Sydney line. She is to be new masted. Lord Ashley and Airedale are both to receive new and improved boilers, and every effort is being made to render the Company’s ships thoroughly effective in every respect. With reference to H.M. ships,— Harrier, 17 guns, Commander Sullivan, is the only one on the New Zealand station, and the only one of the four fit to work. She has been doing double duty as a trooper and store ship, emulating Niger and Calliope zeal for the public service, and making frequent and speedy drips between Taranaki and Manukau.

Pioneer, 6, minus her armament, is at Sydney, under orders for England, being eaten up with dry rot. Miranda, 15, Capt. Robert Jenkins, senior officer, is likewise at Sydney, in the hands of Mr. Cutberth, being seriously affected with the same complaint as that under which Pioneer labors. She has been extensively opened out, and the evil had, we understand been pronounced to be deeply seated.

The Prussian corvette Bogytan, 2000 tons, 300 horse power, 18 guns, is also in Sydney. She wears the flag of Rear-Admiral Popoff, of Petropaulauski celebrity. Very possibly she may drop in here to see what we New Zealanders are about. There has been a considerable movement for some time past among the troops, his Excellency having determined to re-occupy the Taranaki block, from which the settlers were expelled during the war. His Excellency himself having proceeded to the scene of operations, detachments of the 57th were moved forward from New Plymouth, a re--doubt finished on St. Patrick’s day, and cal-

led by that name, was quietly occupied, the Natives at a respectful distance, looking on, and evincing no disposition to break the peace. It has been deemed prudent to reinforce the positions at Taranaki, and, with that view, most of the 70th Regt. under Colonel Chute, 4th battery of the Royal Artillery under Capt. Mercer have been conveyed thither. The camp at Otahubu is comparatively abandoned. The 40th are still in garrison in Auckland, but are about to exchange quarters with the 14th presently at Otahuhu. The 65 th are variously distributed, at the Queen’s Redoubt on the Waikato, and headquarters at Otahuhu. After a long and arduous service in this colony, they are, it is said, at length about to be relieved by the 2nd Battalion of the 18th Royal Irish—the 2nd Battalion of the 20th being mentioned as about to relieve the 70th. The detachment of the 12th is divided between the Queen’s Redoubt and the camp Otahuhu.