SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

Westport Times, Volume IV, Issue 632, 15 March 1870, Page 2

SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

WESTPOET. HICIII WATER. This Day ... 8.12 a.m., 8.52 p.m. To-morrow 9.10 u.m., 9.3-1 p.m. ARRIVALS. March i'2 —Wallabi, s.s., from Wanganui. John Penn, s.s., from Ouohuiiga and Wanganui. DEPARTURES. March 13—John Penn, s.s., for Ilokitika. Wallabi, s.s., for Greymouth. PASSENGER LIST. Per John Penn, from North—Mrs Russell, Messrs M'Finland, Dougherty, Forceau, Doudson, Seuton: 6in steerage ; and 37 others. Per John Penn, for Ilokitika—Messrs J. L. Mimson, J. Campbell, I'. Roche, Miss L. Harris ; 6 others ; and 37 original. IMPORTS. Vor Wallabi, from Wanganui—4l head cattle, 9 pigs, 170 sheep, 1 case fowls, 2 tons bran, 2 tons potatoes, 2 bales hay, Freeth and Oreig; 20 liorscs, Hamilton. Per John Penn, from Onehunga—7s bags potatoes, 73 do, order; 10 bags oysters, 30 kits do, 20 cases fruit, Dick and Seaton. From VVanganui—3s head cattle, 200 sheep, 25 pigs, Dick and Seaton.

Both the Wallabi and John Penn were off the Buffer on Saturday, in time to enter by the morning tide, but it became so foggy that the entrance could not bo distinguished, and they were unable to cross the bar until tide-time in the afternoon. The Wallabi had come on against a heavy sea and wind. The John Penn, for the safety of her freight, took shelter in Totaranui, and, although the passage was thus prolonged, she did not lose a single head of stock. By her a number of passengers returned from Auckland to the different West Coast ports, and the description which thev give as to the condition of things in Auckland and at the Thames is very far from encouraging. It may safely be anticipated that, on future trips, numbers more will return to the Coast.

The s.s. John Penn is announced to leave this evening for Nelson and Wanganui only. The Wallabi was advertised to return to-mor-row to Greyniouth, carrying passengers at a reduced scale of return fares, but her destination lias also been altered to Wanganui. An opportunity will, however, be afforded to those who desire to see the races by the departure and return of the Waipara. The official or saluting flag of New Zealand is to be a Union Jack, in the centre of which will be a green wreath, composed of the rose, thistle, and shamrock, and the inner space will be an azure blue, on which will bo seen the four stars of the Southern Cross. The only difference which has been made in the commercial ensign is the addition of the four stars of the Southern Cross, as represented in the centre of the Union Jack alluded to, in the fly of the ensign. The adoption of the five stars of the Southern Cross by a neighboring colony was subsequent to the proclamation made by the New Zealand Government, selecting the constellation of the " Cross" as the colonial badge.

The cutter Ringdove, formerly of Auckland, returned to the Fijis lately after a seven neej& truUO- the Line Islands. The condilamentable, they hardly having strength to navigate the vessel into port. She had spoken the unfortunate barque Moaroa, and exchanged some provisions, the Ringdove receiving amongst the exchange some coarse meal, out of which they made some porridge, and shortly afterwards" they all felt, unwell, and during the next few days sores made their appearance all over the arms, hands, legs, and feet, preventing the free use of the limbs. However, they persevered in their mission, and succeeded in procuring for;y-two native laborers, and turned homewards. The sores still increased, with numbness in the hands and feet, and ultimately Captain Bain, and the mate, James Davidson, died of this peculiar illness. Some of the meal iias been preserved for analysis. By the arrival of the schooner Jennie Duncan, we learn that a very severe storm raged at the Fijis on the 14th February. The schooner Crest of the Wave, which was lying With other vessels, dragged both anchors, and was driven ashore. The s.s. Eigle, which was lying with botn anchors down, was under steam throughout the day, to prevent her facing ashore. The Crest of the Wave was afterwards got off. The cutter Active, of Auckland, commanded by Captain W. 11. Wilson, struck upon a reef previously, and became a total wreck, and the barque Icon, Captain Brewer, owned by Messrs Grice, Sumner, and Co., of Melbourne, has been totally wrecked at Rorotonga. Her crew and passengers were saved.

A steamboat captain on one of the American lakes was recently feeling his way alongin the dark, when the look-out ahead cried out, " Schooner without a light." It was a narrow escape ; and as the steamer passed the schooner the captain demanded, " What are you doing with your scluoner here in the dark without a light?" To his dismay, the skipper, who was a Frenchman, answered, "Vat ze diable you do here viz your nl e steamboat in three feet of water, eh ?" and just then the steamer landed high and dry on a sand bank. BY ELECTS TC TELEGRAPH. ARRIVALS. llokitika. March 13 Tararua, from Melbourne, at 9.30 a.m. DEPARTURES. Gret.mouth.—March 14 Tararua, for Nelson, at 6 a.m.

■Wellington.—March 13-Rangitoto, for Nelson, at 10 a.m. Bluff.—March 13—Victoria, barque, for London.