PORT OF AUCKLAND.

New Zealander, Volume 9, Issue 741, 21 May 1853, Page 2

PORT OF AUCKLAND.

SHIPPING IN TEL LICENCE. ARRIVALS. May 18 —Hawkhead, 22 tons, Lawrie, from Mahu~ rangi, with 2 8 tons firewood. May 19 —Waterwitch, 10 tons, Jones, from Tutukaka, with 100 bushels maize, 2 tons potatoes, 300 pumpkins. May 20—Haven, brig 170 tons, Capt. Thompson, from Sydney. Passengers, — Dr. Geddes, Mr. Brain, Mrs. Bull, Mr. Dickson, Mr. Grahame. Messrs. P. McFarlane, P. Gillot, Mr. and Mrs. Willis, and daughter, Mrs. Ryan. —W. S. Grahame, agent. DEPARTURES. May 18 Waterlillv, brigantine, 155 tons, J. R. Hayes» for Sydney. Paseengers,— Capt. Bruce, Capt. Phillipsthal, Messrs. K. Maxwell, T. Lawson, J Clarke, F. Sburry, O. L. 1 larrington, J. Brown, & W. C ornelius. Biown & Campbell, agents. Mav 18— New Zealander, 14 tons, Te Makatu, for Taurangi. May 18—Hawkbead, 22 tons, Lnwrie, for Mahurangi, with 4 passengers. May 19 —Children, 30 tons, Tamati, For East Coast. May 19— Louis, 10 tons, Debars, for Taurangi, with 10 packages sundries. May 2'i —Komrarika, 17 tons, Pai Rau, for Russell, with 5 bags flour, 1 horse. Passenger,—J. R. Clendon, Esq. CLEARED OUT. May 20—Jane, barque. 328 tons, Capt. Grange, resumed her voyage to Port Phillip. EXPORTS —FOREIGN. Per Jane, for Port Phillip : Shipped at Auckland, — 10 tierces Beef. IMPORTS FOREIGN. Per Raven, from Sydney',:—soo sheep, 10 hds. B. P. rum, 1 bale drapery, 2 hags coffee, 1 truss canvas, 2 cases mu-tard, 1 hale hags, 3 cases drugs, 1 jar spirits wine, 1 case siß, 5 bales slops, 2 cases ditto, 13 kegs nails, 100 bags sugar 206 mats bastards, 27 do. crushed loaf do. 1 hds. loaf sugar, 2 crates stoves, 4 cases d'apery, • hale do. 3 cases do. 1 case threads, 1 bale cottons, 4 cases arrowroot, 8 bales bags, 55 bags salt. —W. S. Grahame, agent. Vessels in Harbour. Victoria. Government brig. Captain Deck. Border Maid, schooner, 97 tons, about to load for Melbourne.—J. A. Langford, agent. Cashmere, ship, 64(1 tons, Captain Pearson, arrived from London, discharging.— Brown & Campbell, agents, Daniel Webster, barque, 298 tons, Captain Mncfarlane, arrived from Sydney, discharging.—J. Salmon & Co., agents. Delmar, Chilian barque, 238 tons, Captain Thayer, loading for Sydney.—J. A. Gilfillan &. Co., agents. El.za, barque, 200 tons, Captain Bates, to sail on Monday next for Melbourne. Bain & Burtt, agents, Hargraves, brigantine, 196 tons, Captain Clough, loading for Sydney.—J. Wood house, agent. lliomarna, schooner, 68 tons, Captain Sturley, from Hawke’s Bay.—J. Salmon &, Co., agents. Invincible, barque. 290 tons Captain Martin, arrived from Melbourne, loading with timber, &c., for Melbourne.—Henderson & Macfarlane, agents. Jane, barque, 328 tons, Captain Grange, arrived from San Francisco, for Melbourne, about to resume her voyage.—W. S. Grahame, agent. Raven. Big, 170 tons, Captain Thompson, arrived from Sydney, discharging.— V\ .S. Gtah me agent. Smyrna, American w haling barque, 230 tons, Captain Toby, arrived from whaling grounds.— Bain &c Burtt, ngrnts. Velocity, schooner, 170 tons, Captain Cobben, loading for Melbourne. —J. A. Gilfillan & Co., agents.

Tlie Raven sailed on the 6h inst, from Sydney, and ex pet fenced a succession of gales and bad weather during the pa-sage. She Ims lost upwards of 100 of her sheep. There was no word of the Adelaide mail steamer further than the news of her arrival at the Cape, which appeared in the New Zealander. The Harbinger screw steamer had arrived from Melbourne.

We understand the Government Brig is to sail on Monday tor Wellington, with liis Excellency the Governor.

The Pa'rician has been 111 days from Plymouth, into which port she was obliged to put, in consequence of serious damages sustained in a terrific hurricane encountered on the 26th December, in the vicinity of (he Lizard, and which blew with unabated fury all along the English coast Her sails were split fore and aft; starboard bulwarks and stanchions stove, binnacle, wheel, figure-head bowsprit, hencoops, water'asks, and every moveable thing swept off the decks; cabin skylights stove in, and the cuddy filled with water. She was detained thete nearly three weeks, undergoing repairs. The Sophia Moffatt, Captain Pell, bound for Adelaide, experienced similar in jury in the same gale, and had three men washed overboard, who pm ishecL—The emigrant ship, Heroine, Captain Le Rich, bound to Port Phillip, was totally lost oft' Lyme Regis. The ship having strained so violen tly as to h> come too leak* to keep her free, an attempt wtta made by some of the crew to g' j t two boats out, and endeavour to save the lives of those on board ; a few having risked so hazardous an undertaking, they left the vessel, hoping to reach the shore and obtain succour. A terrific sea was running at the time, and their perilous position havmg been perceived by some men on the beach, they courageously maimed a boat belonging to a revenue cutter, and went to their aid, hut they had not got far out before a heavy sea struci. the boat ; she filled, and went down, all hands, with the exception of one man, losing their lives. The two boats which belonged to the llerione reached the shore in safety, passengers and crew being in a very exhausted condition. The only vessel spoke by the Patrician was the Commodore since arrived here. —Sydney Herald , May 6.

English Shipping,— I lie following vessels are advertised to sail for the colonies. For Sydney February 4. VVaterhen, 355, Dodds; Holton, 540, Darby; Harriet (emigrants), 925, Shaddick; Australia (emigrants), 721, Avery. 5. Sarah Johanna (Dutch;, 769 Sweyp ; (i. Alhindale, 301, Dawson, 8. Phoenician, 521, Talbot. 12. K. S, Forbes. 457, Wright. 15. Ann and Mary, 263, Briggs; Anna Mary, 302, Stephens; Koh-i-Noor, 314, Rhodes. 18. Mavina Vidal ( Hanoverian) emigrants, 959: Jachlraan. 19 Australian, A.K.M, steamer, 725, Hoseason. 20. Clara, 368, Potter, 25. Meteor ( Dutch) emigrants, 760, Popper. 26, Others, 845, Fletcher. M rch 1. Glontarf, 1091, Barclay ; Kiunearj 368. 3, Albermarle, 704, Trivett.

For Port Phillip: — February 4. President Verkonteren (Dutch). 660, Eylers, 5, Port Wallace, 230, Faithfull ; Superior (Ameiican), 670, Cullberg; Adele, 232. Bell- Ami Ingate. 161, Pater; Frances Ridley, 635, Faremouth; Isabella, 178. Todd; Amy. 167, Trapp; Bristol, 150, Knarston. 6. Viceroy, 173 Bird; Cecilia. 164, Scott, 7. Lucille, 165. Patterson. 8. lleda, 233, Mathinson. 10. Lord Ashley, 474, Williams; Chronometer, 182, Furze; Vesta ( Russian), 425, Sandeman ; Maid of Alicante, 2 97 , Hall; Salsette, 422 Venables. 12. Bavend Willem (Dutch), 993, Reljers. 14. Nancy, 251. Warrick, 15. Urania, 173, Green ; Earl, of Chester 517, Johns ; Speculation, 260, SeaMrd, 18. Eu, 435 Kitchen. 19 Essex, 776, Martin ; Princess Victoria 287, Bitton. 20. Mary. 1 1 0 ; Maypo, 173, Davies ; Oscar the first (Swede), 929, Swensen ; William Henry Angus, 254, Ellison. 25. Jordeson, 280, Venables* Madagascar, 951, Harris ; Amides, 195, Wheate ; Undaunted, 300, Johnson ; Emma Godwin, 480, King ; Confucius. 178, Carr; A-gente 116, Jackson; Wye, 155, Job; Unicorn, 375, Mowatt ; Elizabeth, 109. Long; Go-Forward, l 0(), Lewis; Harpley, 547, Carey; Gasland (Swede), 320, Fahrvens ; Johann George (Bremen), 317, Wessels; Medora, 221, Willson. March 1. Pauline (Dutch), 500, Shellies. March 10. Asia, 523, Haskell; Lady Flora, 756; Harpley. 547, Carey.—For Adelaide : February 5. Ramillies (Einig), 1 lodder ; 8ud, 330, Fyfe ; Hamlet, 208, Fairman, 8. Competitor, 390, Sargent. 20. Orestes, 680, Foreman; Thames, 455, Barclay ; Wanderer, 568; Woodcock ; Highbury, 266. Digby ; Mary Green (emigrants.) For Launceston. February 5: Affiance, 401, Garrick; Ariel, 151, Brown ; Lion 208, OJger. 25. Rowallan, 251, Bohon. For Hobart Town, February 3: —Symme ry, 281. Richardson. 7. Abbarton, 451 Day; Coromandel (emigrant), 639, Young, for, New Zealand, February 9 Simlah, 697, R hertsnn. 8, Maori. 799. Petberbridge. 20. Mary Catherine. 365. Robertson. March 2 . Cresswell. 594. Williams. For Swan River, February 15 : Marion, 358, Roxbv. For King George’s Sound, February 15: —Larking, 700, Argrove,

(From the “Auckland Government Gazette.”) Colonial Secretary’s Office, Auckland, Aptil 29th, 1853. His Excellency the Governor has been pleased to direct thnt the following Soiling Directions be published for general in formation. By His Excellency’s command, Andrew "inclair, Colonial Secretary. MERCURY BAY. Mercury Bay, so called from Captain Cook having observed the transit of Mercury here, is a large inlet, between Cape Colville and the Bay of Plenty, affording anchorage during westerly winds, in sandy bays on iia north and south shores, but the most preferable is that known as Cook’s Bay, at the mouth of Oyster River. At the Head of Mercury Bay, in die south-west angle is a mangrove river, which has a snug anchorage, secure in every wind, which will be hereafter described. The entrance to Mercury Bay is 4J miles across, — north and south. It is approached from the northward by either entering between Mercury Islands group and the Alderman’s, or by hugging the coast, — the latter often preferred for the sake of keeping the weather shore on board. The outer channel shows all dangers with (he exception of a rock (a mile N.VV. of the outer Mercury Island), which occasionally breaks, and has deep water all round it. There is 40 fathoms between these islands and the Aldermans, decreasing to 20 across the entrance of the bay. To approach by the inner ChannelHaving passed Mercury Island, and reaching the point miles S.S.E. of it, forming the west point of a deep bight, and having small islets off it. This point is clear of rocks. Three quarters of a mile off the next point will be seen a round islet, —midway between it and this round island, a rock laid down in the Acheron's chart, and seldom breaking, must be avoided by keeping the point close onboard. There is then another rock (which is nearly awash ot low wa'fr) in a line between this and the steep grey islands, Koruengai, at the north entrance of Mercury Bay; but which the Pandora must have passed within her length, as she heat through this channel before observing it. It is preferable to shape a course outside this rock and the Islands, although there is a channel of nine fathoms within, avoiding another rock, covered only at high water, a cable oft the north point of Mercury Bav.

Having passed this, Koranga Island, 150 feet high, and islet off it are steep to—The Twins, a double conical islet, reaching them is Mata Pana Pay, having 5 fathoms, sandy bottom ; off the west point of this bay a ledge of rocks extends one-third of a mile towards the Twins. The Noith Shore to Buffalo Bay is now clear. The middle island in Mercury Bay (native name “ Motu Korure’M has foul ground 2 cables off the N.E. and S,E. extremes, but is bold to the westward. *• Moturoa” Tower rock, rising abruptly 188 feet, within a mile of the southern entrance. Las also foul ground 2 cables round it. On approaching Mercury Bay from the southward, ihere is a rock, seldom showing, but occasionally breaking heavily ; it has from 9 to 13 fathoms all round it. It bears N. 42° W. f of a mile from Te-Tui or Mahurangi, the island forming the south entrance of Mercury Bay, and it bears N. 80® E., 1J miles Torn lower Rock. The passages amongst these islands are complicated, and to be avoided. There are no other dangers in Mercury Bay until Shakspeare's Cliff is pa-sad. and the soundings will be found to decrease gradually, having 10 fathoms on either side of Middle Island, and 5 fathoms up to the Shakspeare’s Cliff, where a vessel may anchor, hut should not proceed higher unless intending to enter Mangrove River. To sail into Mangrove River, run midway for Buffalo beach, at the head of the bay. By keeping the Twins just open of Koranga Islet N. 35 ° E., Fly bank is avoided, and hauling up for the river, steer a middle course ; but avoid a spit on the beach side by keeping a distant round red bill on with High Pah Point. This spit extends off the beach, just before reaching the low pah at the entrance of the river, and after passing ibis pah, moor in mid-channel. Vessels undergoing repair haul alongside the builder’s yard, or run aground above high Pali Point, The tides require studying, and vessels should go in at last quarter flood. It would be better to be there at slack water, for there is no room to round to, and the tides run 3to 4 knots per hour. The least water in the channel going into the river has at low-water springs 14 feet, at high water 21 feet. The river above the high Pah, although extensive, is only navigable for boats. vvater can be always procured round the high Pah point. There are few natives; but there is a carpenter's yard of! the anchorage, where ships have been repaired, but I regret that its presentoccupier, Mr. Lloyd, is about to leave, having, at piesent, insufficient inducement to remain.

Mangrove river causes the tides in Mercury Bay to scaicely perceptible on the south shore, but on the Bertu M ore, at springs, they run knots. This can be Mien >jUu advantage of in working in or out. If, o’l tbe approach of an easterly gale, it is required to ran tor Mangrove Kiver,it should be taken as soon as possiulc, for the sea rolling into tbe bay will break serosa Tbe sboaler parts of Buffalo Bay, one of Mr. Lloyd’s men, at the entrance of the river, might act as nliot if required.

The northern shores of Mercury Bay are wooded. The treble peak, rising above Mahungrnpe is 1026 feet high.

The south shore is barren and uncultivated. A long flat country extends from tbe head of Buffalo Bay to the high ranges of Coromandel. The native population of Witiangi is very small. There are no wharres on the south shore, and only small patches of cultivation at the mouth of Oyster River. On the north shore there are about 30 inhabitants in Mata Pana Bay, well-behaved Christians. Their settlement, called Tiraupua, just within the north head. Tbe chief is 6 years of age. Whare-Kaho and Obuki, at the bead of tbe bay, are more extensive settlements, but they do no cultivation beyond their own requirement. They migrate to Mercury Islands, and the bay was almost entirely deserted during September. Oyster Creek is hardly navigable for canoes, although of considerable breadth.

In Mangrove River, at Whanga Maroro, there is a large settlement; four miles from tbe mouth ol the river is a flux-mill, in good order, but not worked at present. The other branches of this river, winding tbmugh fine districts, have ruined saw-mills and dilapidated bridges, —tokens of enterprise not ill-bestowed on the country, but apparently ip advance of the tiitje*.

Captain Cook’s observations on Mercury Bay show the remaikabte changes that have taken place in t i hist 70 years—not only in the decrease o' population, but in the physical changes of the coast, lie describes, and leaves a sketch of a rock connecting Marhanganape and the main, with its arch under it, and on it a Pah : it still exists, and in similar shape, but has dwindled t > such a small, rock, that where the pah was, a man could only stride as on a horse. Similar effects have taken place on Shakspeare’s Cliff, which is fast supplying rocks to the deep below—indeed, the whole coast here is more than ordinarily perforated, and one cave on the north shore was penetrated to 400 feet, having there a depth of 4 fathoms. r o'" Hnki.Huki Pah, I 3 <> ™ff S Entrance to Mangrove J Long. 0 3 41 i River. ] East of Auckland Depot V 1 j Point. H. W„ at F- & C..—7h. 2lm. Springs rise, 7 feet, Neaps, 4 feet. r Byron Drury, Commander, H. M. S. Pandora.