Miscellaneous.

Lyttelton Times, Volume VIII, Issue 501, 22 August 1857, Page 5

Miscellaneous.

Thibty dats to Austbalia.—There is something startling in this announcement, because people have no idea, even in these days of progress, that a voyage to the antipodes could possibly be effected in one month, and why not ? We understand that the Government contract for the conveying the mails is 56 days, say 60. Mr. Clare, iun., of Liverpool, is prepared to build four iron mail. steamers of 10,000 tons each, that shall average 20 miles per hour, for the sum of £400,000 each—boats, that in case of war, could be applied to the Government transit of troops, &c. Now what would be the result of shortening the voyage to 30 days ? In the first instance, we are receiving £20,000,000 sterling in gold from that colony; the interest up:m that sum for one month (the time saved in conveyance) would be £840,000, and the draft to the same amount, having another 30 days to run, would make a total per annum. of £1,680,000, interest, which, added to £840,000, would yield the sum of £2,400,000. So that, in one year, £800.000 more than the cost of the building this splendid fleet of steamers, suitable for war purposes, would be realised merely by the saving of time. Mr. Clare is prepared to have this number cf toats ready in, twelve months, upon the Government undertaking to pay him so much a rate of postage as the expeditious service he would render would entitle him to ; and we are satisfied the colonists would not object to any additional postage that would bring them nearer to this country by at least half the time now consumed. After the first year the Government would be in receipt of £2,400,000 to meet the expenditure. Suppose the expense attendant upon each voyage was £100,000, that would amount in the year (12 voyages,) to £1,200,000. To attain the continuous speed laid down is the great matter for consideration, and many may doubt the possibility; but Mr. Clare is quite confident that he can accomplish it by the construction of vessels after a plan of his own ; vessels that shall not only attain a greater speed than any hitherto built, but be proof against wind, wave, foundering at sea; that can neither leak nor sink, and at the same time be shot and fireproof. Surely such a discovery is of national importance, above all personal interests, and if practically brought to bear, would in time confer incalculable benefits upon Liverpool, her shipowners, and her, merchants.— Liverpool Albion. The Baltimore Republican gives an account of an extraordinary and fatal duel which occurred at Winston in Maryland. The parties were fastened down by their trousers to a two-inch oak plank, and fought with bowie knives. " They fought," says the Bepublican, " until Drain was mortally wounded. Young Pendleton was cut nearly in pieces, and now lies in. a critical position. Partof Pendleton*s knife is still in Drain's head. There is no hope of his recovery. The doctor thinks they will both die. Drain was twenty-two, and Pendleton nineteen." The unlucky Transit is not a Governmentbuilt ship: sne was constructed by Messrs. Mare and Co., and sold by them to the Admiralty. She is own sister to those cranky craft known as the Urgent and Perseverance.