ENGLISH SHIPPING.

Colonist, Volume II, Issue 166, 24 May 1859, Page 2

ENGLISH SHIPPING.

From the Home News of March 18 we ; learn the; following:— '.-.A Ships loading at London for New Zealand.—British Queen, Whirlwind,.and Joseph Fletcher, for Auckland.—Queen of the Avon, for Nelson—Cresswelly for Nelson and New Plymouth.—Vallisneriai for Canterbury.— Henbury and Avonvale, for Otago.—Eaglet, for Wellington.—Snarebrook, for Wellington and Hawkes Bay.—Countess of Fife, for Wellington and New Plymouth. The Minerva for Wellington ahd Canterbury, and; the Cameo, for Canterbury,' sailed from the Downs on the 9th March. 'The Swordfish, for Auckland, passed Dartmouth on the I2fcli March. The transport Mary Ann, Captain Ashby, arrived at Spithead on March 6, from Auckland, New Zealand, with the headquarters of the 58th Foot on board. During the month of February three vessels of the New Zealand Passengers' Line have been despatched by Messrs.'Shaw, Savill, and Co. The Traveller, for Auckland and New.Plymouth, sailed on the 2nd with one of the most valuable cargoes yet despatched to New Zealand,' and some chief and second cabin passengers. The Airedale, for Canterbury, the fourth steamer sent out by the Intercolonial Steam Company for the mail oervice, sailed on the 17th, taking several

chief cabin passengers. The Reullura, a beautiful new clipper ship", for Wellington, sailed on tlie llth, also with a valuable cargo of fine goods and a full complement of passengers. Tlie annual return of the names, number of guns, and tonnage of the whole of the vessels, in the navy, was published on| the Ist of January, from which it appears that the British navy, at tho commencement of the present year, consists "of 523 vessels, including screw steamers of every description, exclusive of whichthere are 167 gunboats.' Of the number of composing the navy no less than 170 are in commission, and doing duty in every part ofthe glo.be. The vessels in commission are distributed as follows:—32 line-of-battle ships, frigates, and smaller vessels are attached to the East Indies and China station.; 25 on the coast of Africa: 16 in the Mediterranean; 15 on the Pacific and on the Australian station; 15 on the North America and West India station; 7 on the .south-east coast of America; and 5 -afc the Cape of Good Hope. The remaining 61 vessels are employed on particular service, or attached as guardships to the principal ports in Great Britain and Ireland, including the Channel squadron. . t - - • , Hobart Town.—Captain Watson of the Rapid, reports thafc on the 4th instant,'a dreadful fire had occurred at Hobart Town, by which property to a large amount had been destroyed, part of which had been insured for £22,000.— Sydney Herald, May 14.