SHIPPING SUMMARY.

West Coast Times, Issue 202, 12 May 1866, Page 4

SHIPPING SUMMARY.

It will be seen, from a glance at tho list of vessels Bailed and arrived during the past month, that a decrease has takon place in the numbeis, amounting to nearly thirty percent, on last month. This is most noticeable among the foreign arrivals aud departures. This decrease ia, howovor, moro apparent than real. These crafts which appear engaged in our intercolonial trade are almost without an exception regular tradors, very many unusually largo for this port. Could tho tonnage of those vessels be procured, wo havo no doubt it would equal, if not surpass, any •imilav period during tho past quarter. In considering this it must bo borne in mind that the amount of shipping done during tho past few months is no critorion of the requirements of the place. Six months ago the total tonnage of tho vessels inwards was half-a-dozen times greater than at present, and yet tho consumption cf goods was less^y fully one-third. The explanation of tho seoining paradox is contained in tho fact of thero having lakon place, in last November, such an overstocking of this market as it has not rocoverod from till the present timo. Consequently tho past four months' imports have beon moroly to roemit thoso stocks and not to supply tho current requirements of tho placo. As stocks ore now considerably diminished, wo look for a largo increase iv our intercolonial shinning trade. l fa During the month furthor facilities have been added to our port in tho shape of a new lantern erected at tho 'signal station, which is visible by mariners at a distance of six miles from tho shoro. By means of this, vessels are enabled to enter after dusk, should the tidosf during tho short days of winter not allow o their coining in by daylight. Tho bar, during tho past fortnight, has been subject to great fluctuations, some days having as many fathoms of water as next day thoro ore feet. On tho whole, howovor, it lias beon favorable for the ontrauco of vesaols not drawing over ten feet. The shipping history of tho month will be found detailed elsewhere. Tho only event, calling for special notice is tho wreck of tho Maria, the particulars of whioh wo subjoin.