NEW ZEALAND SHIPPING.

Maori Messenger : Te Karere Maori, Volume 2, Issue 27, 3 January 1850, Page 1

NEW ZEALAND SHIPPING.

The beautiful brig Moa; recently launched from the slip of Mr. Nicol, at Mechanic's Bay, returned from her maiden voyage, on T uesday the Bth instant. fihe emnenp the harbour in gallant style,

and lier performances botli on the passage to and from Sydney have realized all tliat was anticipated of her s—showing5 —showing that whether for stability, symmetry, or speed the ships of New Zealand nre second to none. It is extremely gratifying to know that we have men amongst us capable of designing, and abundant materials suitable for the production of numberless such vessels'. The science of ship building is one of paramount importance to a maritime people. You, 1 Maories, are mucli addicted to maritime 1 pursuits. You can construct powerful und capacious canoes; You navigate them with great dexterity and daring. You have purchased, from time to time, many vessels of European build. Why, then, should you not direct your attention to the attainment of an art which wou!d be equally of advantage to yourselves and your European instruc'ors V Surely you can be taught how to build a ship as well as to erect a wall ? Patience and perseverance ave the main requisites. Consider our words—for, be assured you would earn quite as much money as skilful shipwrights as tliose of you acquire by masonry and other mechanical pursuits in which you have already disp'ayed so creditable a proficiency. Hearken to what the Sydney newspapers say of the Auckland-built Moa. " The Moa ariived yesterday afternoon (December 6th) from Autklan », where the has been bui't by Mr. 11. Nicol, for Messrs. Wright and Grahame. _ Although we have so many fine colonial vesse's sai ing out of the harbour of Sydney, the Moa decidedly ranks amongst the foremost, both with regard to sightliness and roomy accommodations. Her captain states that she is one of of the smartest vessels he ever stepped on board of, and, that she has behaved admirably in this her first trip. She is intended expressly. for tlie trade between Sydney and Auckland ; is very substantially built, on a scale to carry a large cargo for her tonnage ; and no expense has been spared to render the accommodations complete. She is built principally of New Zealand pine and pohafakaua, with a few pieces of the hardwood of New South Wales.'* Why should not New Zealand annually launch many such sl'ips, and why shou'd not the Maories assist in tl<eir construction ?