SHIPPING.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4305, 7 January 1875, Page 2

SHIPPING.

POUT OF WELLINGTON llian Water, 4.17 a.m.; 4.33 r.M. ARRIVED. January 6.—Stormbird, 5.9., 67 tons, Doilc, from Wanganui. Passengers—Saloon: Mrs. Wise, Mrs. McGovern; Messrs. Postans, Young, Hall, Common, Hogg : 3 steerage. Turnbull and Co., agents. Napier, s.s., 44 tons, Butt, Irom Passengers—Mr. and Miss Owen. Turnbull and Co., agents. Manawatu, p.s., 104 tons, Griffiths, from Wanganui. T'assengers—Saloon : Mr.. Mrs., and two Misses Turnbull, Mrs. Bell, Mrs. Slight, Miss Signal, Mr. and Mrs. Stflnnett, Mrs. Keenan, -Major Hcaphy, Captain Blake, Messrs. Beauchamp, Bunny, Seanlan, Nation, Kennedy, Bonn, Merchant, Baird. It. S. Ledger, agent. ■ -. Wallace, p.s., 64 tons, Conway, from Nelson. Passengers : 12 excursionists. K. S. Ledger, agent. Otago, s.s., 590 tons. J. McLean, from Melbourne, the Bluff, Port Chalmers, and Lyttelton Passengers —Saloon : Mrs. Snodgraes, Mrs. Fenwick, Mrs Pearson, Mrs. Fergusson. Miss Ellis, Miss Colo Captain Mitchell, Mr. and Mrs. Hewet. Mr. and Master Taylor, Master McDougall, Master Blackwood: Messrs. Wright. Lawes. Wharton. Webb, Gillespie, F Cole. Weeson. Carlisle, Terry, Smith, Lowes; 1 earson. Tinker. Mackie, Dawson, Goodwin : 2 in the steerage. William Bishop, agent. SAILED. „ .„ January o. Herald, schooner, 53 tons, Hamilton, for East Coast. George Thomas, agent Easby, s.s.. 909 tons. Kennedy, for Port Chalmers. Passengers—Original from Newcastle and Sydney for Dunedin. Turnbull and Co., agents. Ruby, schooner, 24 tons, Dalton, for To Kopi, in Isabella, schooner, 83 tons. Thorns, for East Coast. Krull and Co., agents. . Jessie, schooner, 33 tons. Schinkel, for Wallace, p.s., 04 tons, Conway, for kelson, lassengers—Saloon: Messrs. Symons and Brown. K. s>. Ledger, agent. ' IMPORTS. Stormbird, from Wanganui: 2 boxes, 1 pel, 97 bales " Napier, from. Foxton: 1 balo sheepskins, 300 : sleepers, C piles. . , , .. „,. Easby. from Sydney: 1 pel, 102 hf-cases frnit, 73 qr-cases ditto, CO boxes tea, 4 cases, 1 pel. Manawatu, from Wanganui: 125 bales wool, 20 sacks maize, 11 pkgs. • . Wallace, from Nelson: 439 bags sugar (transhipped ex Ayr, from Mauritius), 31 cases fruit. Otago, from Melbourne : S stones, 20 sacks oatmeal, 100 bags oats, 1 case, 24 pkgs, 1 bale, 1 pel, 5 pkgs, 1 case, 1 box, 1 cask, 1 pel. EXPORTS. Herald, for East Coast: 40 pkgs general merchandise, 530 feet timber, hf-ton fencing wire. Easby, for Port Chalmers: Original cargo shipped at Newcastle and Sydney for Port Chalmers. Isabella, lor East Coast: 125 pieces sawn timber, 2500 shingles, 500 bricks, 70 sheets iron, 20 coils wire, 55 pkgs general merchandise. Jessie, for Waipapa : 5 sacks flour, 2000 bricks. ■ Wallace, for Nelson: 1 pel stationery, 1 piano, 6 sheets iron, 1 length pipe, i kegs rivets, 1 pkg stationery. EXPECTED ARRIVALS. Lovdom.—Avalanche, Hindostan, Carnatic, Berar, Humboldt, City of Vienna, Ardentlnny, Inverenc, and Hudson. GzooriArßE Bay.—Graee Darling. Southern- Porto. -Taranaki, s.s., this day. Noetiierx Ports.—Wellington s.s., Sth inst. Melhourxe, via the West CoAsf.—Tararua, s.s.. 10th inst. Melbourne, via Southern Ports.—Omco, s.s., 14th inst. ■ - , T .... West Coast (Middle Island).—Luna, p.s., this day. PROJECTED DEPARTURES. London—Adamant,about9th.Tan.: Jessießeadman, early; Howrah, in January ; Soukar, about 7th lebMe'leourne, via the West Coast.—Otago, s.s., this day; Omeo, s.s., 15th inst. Melbourne, via the South. Tararua, s.s., 17th inst. . Northern Ports.—Taranaki, s.s., Bth inst. Mataikona.—Enterprise, this day. Foxton.—Napier, s.s., this day. Wakuanui— St. KUda, s.s. ; Manawatu, p.s.; Stormbird, s.s., this day. BY TELEQUAPB. ' LYTTELTON, Wednesday. The Phoebe sailed South at 4.30 p.m. The Taranaki sailed North at 5 p.m. Messrs. McMeckan and Jilackwood's steamer Otago, Captain John McLean, arrived in Wellington harbor shortly after 1 o'clock yesterday, but owing to the steamer Easby occupying the only berth at the wharf available for the Melbourne steamers, she was compelled to cruise about the harbor till 3.15 p.m., when the Easby got away for Port Chalmers. She then came alongside. Since she was last here the Otago dropoed one month in her running, for the purpose of going into dock in Melbourne to be overhauled and cleaned, and also to modify her rig a little. Very decided improvements were effected about her. Her once taunt masts have been reduced by six feet; a new propeller was shipped; her machinery and boilers underwent a rigid scrutiny, and her bottom was cleaned and recoatod. ner saloon accommodation was also repainted and renovated generally, and her hull was painted outside, and the deck fittings cither regrained or revarnished. That the Otago was benefited by the care bestowed upon her was evinced by her increased speed when she got into a sea-way again. She travels much faster than of yore, and has, during the present trip, made the quickest run ever accomplished between Port Chalmers and Ly ttolton, namely, fifteen hours. The Otago's present trip is essentially an excursion, there being nearly 100 persons on board intent on seeing the Southern portion of New Zealand, and enjoying the benefits of a sea voyage during the most favorable season of the year. She left Melbourne on the 23rd ult.; had light westerly winds and calms and fine weather during the run, and arrived at the Sound on 28th ult. at 3 a.m., the passage having been made in four days ten hours. She remained at the Sound that day and the greater part of the next, whilst the excursionists amused themselves boating and fishing, and viewing the grand scenery of the place. It proved a most enjoyable visit to all of them, only too short; a week would scarcely have sufficed to have inspected the chief points of interest of the marvellous locality. At 4.30 p.m. on the 29th the steamer left, and after a pleasant run arrived at the Bluff at 1 p.m. on the 30th. Discharged a considerable cargo, and left again at 0.30 p.m., arriving at Port Chalmers at C. 30 a.m. on Saturday last. Left Port Chalmers on Monday afternoon, and arrived at Lyttelton next morning, after making a splendid run of fifteen hours. Left Lvttelton at 0.30 p.m. on Tuesday evening, and arrived at 1 p.m. yesterday, having encountered very strong N.W. winds and heavy sea. When leaving Lyttelton wharf the Otago's forward rigging fouled with that of a vessel lying alongside, which resulted in the Otago losing her foretop gallant mast. Mr. Heaton, who so long and ably filled the position of purser on board this fine cteamer, ha 3 resigned the appointment, and has been succeeded by Mr. De Leon, to whom we are indebted for the prompt delivery of-our Melbourne files, and other favors. The Otago will leave to-day for Nelson. The steamers Stormbird and Manawatu arrived yesterday morning from Wanganui. Both vessels brought a full cargo of wool, the former having 97 bales and the latter 125 bales. The steamer Napier arrived at 5.30 yesterday morning from Foxton. She leaves again to-day for the same port. The paddle steamer Wallace, Captain Conway, arrived early yesterday morning from Nelson, with a cargo of sugar transhipped from the barque Ayr, now lying in that port, from Mauritius. She left again for Nelson last evening. The steamer St. Kilda will be swung this morning for the purpose of adjusting her compasses. She will leave for "Wanganui during the afternoon. The steamers Manawatu and Stormbird will leave for Wanganui to-day. ~,. ' The brigantlne Enterprise is loading building material at the breastwork for the East Coast. She will probably leave to-day. The cutter Dido is receiving an overhaul to her running and standing gear. . The schooner Kate is loading railway material at the breastwork for Wairau. The steam collier Easby left at 3.15 yesterday afternoon for Port Chalmers. Some difficulty and delay was experienced by Captain Kennedy in getting away, owing to a hawser having fouled the screw of the steamer when coming alongside the wharf the previous evening. The Otago, which arrived at 1 o'clock,, was n consequence kept out of a berth till the Easby had ucceeded in removing the obstruction. Messrs. Bannatyne and Co. have received information from Dunedin that the barque Sunlight, which was to have come on to this port from Dunedin, with a portion of her cargo of America notions, will tranship her Wellington cargo into asteamer to be brought on. The Sunlight will load wool at Port Chalmers for New York. The steamer Taranaki, Captain Wheeler, will arrive this morning from'Lyttelton.and Port Chalmers. The F.B.W. s.B. Vire, Captain Jacquemart, has returned once more to her old quarters, and brings nith her the observation party that had been established at Campbell Island, to watch the transit of Venus. We are sorry to hear that, as was the case nearly throughout New Zealand, the weather at Campbell Island on the memorable 9th was decidedly hostile to the observers. At the early part of the day the sun shone fitfully, but as noon approached he became obscured by clouds and thick mist, and during the remainder of the day shewed but once, and that for a few seconds only, just as Venus had crossed the edge of his disc Inwards. One distance was then taken, but of the remainder of the transit nothing was seen. The Vire remained at Campbell Island uatil the 27 th, and then left with the intention of calling at the Auckland Islands, but strong N.W. weather aoming on, the idea was abandoned, and she made straight for this port, and arrived yesterday morning.— Otago Daily Times, Dec. 31. The Lady Franklin. Sir Redmond Barry, as Judge of the Vice-Admiralty Court, gave his decision on Thursday, says the Argus, in the suit relating to the barque Lady Franklin. The vessel belonged to Mr Thorno of Auckland, and was despatched on a voyage from Auckland to Melbourne, thence to Newcastle. N.S.W., there to await orders. After the vessel arrived inMelbourne.it was found necessary to expend largo sums for necessaries, repairs, &c. Messrs. Lord and Son, the agents of the ship, advanced in the first instance £395, receiving a draft on the owner for the amount, which was subsequently paid. Afterwards they advanced further sumo, making altogether £IOOO. and for this the captain gave them a bottom bond Messrs. Lord and Son sought to enforce tho bond, as Thorno had become Insolvent. The validity of the bond was disputed by the Bank of New South Wales, who were mortgagees of the vessel, on the uround that the advances were really marie on tho personal credit of Tborne, and that the bond was an f tarthougbt, to secure Messrs. Lord and Son, when it • was found that the owner was becoming embarrassed. Tho Judge decided in favor of the bank, but without costs.— S.M. Utral'X, December

SHIPS' CRKAVS. ! (From the Review, October 24.) In tho last disastrous collision that has occurred upon our coasts, other considerations than thoso of a lamentable loss of life and property press themselves upon our attention, and in commenting thereon we, shall be careful not to prejudge the question of blame in respect thereof. A fine ship of 1500 tons register was so injured in the collision that sho immediately sank, carrying down the captain and seven of the crew, the remainder having escaped on board tho vessel with which she was in contact. What that remainder was we felt some curiosity in ascertaining, and we found that the number was twenty-three, which, with those lost, .amounts to thirty-one, all told,; who were sot to navigato this large vessel round tho world.. Wo shall not ask whether this number was the legal one—it probably was—nor shall we desiro to throw any odium upon her owners, who are doubtless justified in manning their vessel in accordance with law ; but as maritimo matters are likely to receive an attention in tho next session of Parliament *hat is more in accordance with the magnitude of the interests "involved, we trust that not only the efficiency, but also tho proportion of seamen to tonnage will receive attention. In our opinion, thirty men—one-half of whom can only be on watch at any time—seems quite inadequate to tho proper navigation of a ship of the magnitude indicated, especially as two of their number were apprentices, and a moiety of the rest would be only ordinary and not able-bodied seamen, and at least four of the remainder officers. But supposing all wore efficient, there would bo only two men per 100 tons, including all grades, or two-thirds of the number, excluding officers, that were considered an efficient company in the times when vessels were more successfully navigated. As our readers are doubtless aware, tho hours of work of a seaman are fourteen one day and ten the next, or an average of twelve out of each twenty-four are required of the sailor; and in bad weather, of course even a longer service will be needful; besides such instances as when getting under way, or when it is necessary to shorten sail, or to come to an anchor, which operations in a vessel of the size indicated would require the servico of the whole crew ; and as the strength of a chain is that of its weakest link, it is no answer to say that for fine weather the number may be sufficient, as the crew, like the vessel, should be efficient in the numerous conditions of bad and thick weather that form a portion of overy voyage. Our facetious contemporary Punch, last week represented our Royal Captain as suggesting to the Seaman's Friend that he wanted to. obtain seaworthy seamen, whilst the latter insisted on seaworthy ships, and that they were, therefore, to use a nautical expression, " rowing in the same boat." Doubtless the one is as important as the other, but we contend that more may be done to encourage a good class of men by fair treatment than by any number of homilies. The seaman has as much right to know that ho is navigating a seaworthy ship as landsmen have in the various employments in which they are engaged; but to maintain his moral as well as his physical efficiency it is quite as necessary that he shall know that the labor required of him shall not be, as a rule, unduly severe. In fact, both in the construction of vessels and in the power of crew, there should always be something in hand to meet the eventualities that are certain to occur; and much of the degeneration of seamen, of which we hear so much, wc more than suspect arises from the fact that they are treated more a 3 machines, from which the last ounce of power is to be extracted, than as men possessing the hopes, desires, and interests of our common humanity. Let the seaman feel that his employer takes an interest in his welfare, and is anxious to apportion his wages" to the ability and steadiness of his conduct; and, above all, that he will not be required to do the work of two men for the pay of one, and wo will venture to say that as respectable a class of men will bo forthcoming as those in commercial life, who are encouraged by the same hope of that reward that sweetens labor.