LYTTELTON. [From the Lyttelton Times, October 22.]

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume IX, Issue 862, 5 November 1853, Page 4

LYTTELTON. [From the Lyttelton Times, October 22.]

The ship John Taylor, J. M. Cawkitt, commander, anchored in our harbour on Tuesday evening. The John Taylor left Graveseud on Sunday, July lOih, with 140 passengers. Tlie pilot was discharged off the Isle of Wight on the 13'h. Strong contraiy winds with head seas were experienced until retching Gape Finisterre, causing much sea-sickness, and disappointing the hopes oi making a rapid passage. Madeira was reached oil the S'Jth July, and the line ccossed on the 17th August. A favourable trade wind wa> experienced, and 'he ship passed close to Tiiitan de Acuna ou the oth September, and hove to lor a short time to enable those on shore to communicate w.th ihrt 'shi|, but no one came ofF. Several houses and cut It were seen. The meiiriian of Gieenvuch was p.issed on the 7*-h Sep-tembt-r, and the Cape on the 12ih, Suong w«-t.-terly gales were experienced with heavy si jd,->,j d,->, the ship tolling heavily and constantly. On the 20 U they had a hurricane from W.S.W. whi:h lasted from three to four hours with extreme violence, the ship scudding under a reefed foresail, and treble reefed main-top-sail ; the force of the wind aft sending the ship's forecastle under in two or three plunges. All on board hlate it to have blown heavier than they had ever experienced. The ship behaved nobly and met with no accident excepting a new main-top-sail much split while taking it in. Ship's position at the lime — lat. 42 deg* south, long. 51 deg. 28 rain, east. From that time to sighting New Zealand, they had strong gales, Stewart's Island was passed on the 15th October, ami the ship entered the harbor of Lvttelton on the 18th, making the passage from Ushant in 88 days, and from Madeira in 77. Four deaths occurred on the passage among' the children. The voyage was characterised by the best feel* ing among all on board. As the ship was entering the heads on Tuesday morning, a meeting of the passeugers was convened in the saloon to present an address and a piece of plate to the Captain. On the motion of Mr. Harper, seconded by Captain Beswick, the Eev. J. C. Allen was called to the chair, who, in a brief, but very appropriate address, paid a high tribute to the many qualifications of Captain Cawkitt, alluding to his Christian character and gentlemanly deportment. The address was read by Mr. Ollivier, after wbich the healths of Captain and Mrs. Cawkitt were proposed by Mr. Allen and warmly received by the passengers. The worthy Captain feelingly responded. One feeling of gratitude for the Captain's unceasing kindness pervaded the whole of the passengers. The ad ires* was signed by 32 passengers, many of them beads of families, and representing in all one hundred and forty-one persons. We may state on the best authority that the Duke of Newcastle in answer to enquiries madeabout his Excellency the Governor, said that " Sir George Grey had applied for leave of absence only." It is not likely, therefore, that any successor to bis Excellency is ou bis way out. Still less likely is it that there is any truth in the report that Sir George Giey had applied to be recalled. The John Taylor only brought one day's later intelligence from England than that already received. Nothing further had transpired concerning the Turco-Russian dispute. The prevailing impression was that it would be patched up. The Cabinet were greatly divided on tbequestion, Lord Aberdeen being for a pacificpolicy, and Lord Palmerston tor active and bellicose measures. An inquest was held last Saturday on the body of S. Bradley, whose death by drowning w* recorded on the 24th September. Verdict, Found Drowned.