BRITISH SHIPPING.

Waikato Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2247, 2 December 1886, Page 2

BRITISH SHIPPING.

How many of our readers are there who could tell off-haud the five ports in the United Kingdo n which show the largest amount of tonnage of British and foreign vessels (sailing and steam) that cleared with cargoes or in ballast to foreign countries or British possessions last year ? We will give the first ten ports in the order of their magnitude, and think some of the names ■will not be expected in the place they really occupy. In order to show the relative progress made by each port, we give the figures for 1575 and ISSS :-

What is specially remarkable here is the wonderful increase at Cardiff, which is now the third port of the kingdom, and cleared more tonnage last year than Liverpool did in 1575, when it -was the first port in the kingdom. A few years of such growth, and London must resign her pre-eminence to the grerst port of South Wales. Two other ports in South Wales, Newport (Monmouthshire) and Swansea, have made great advance, the foimer having quadiupled her tonnage between 187.") and ISSS. In spite of the losd of the P. and O. boats, Southhamprou shows a substantial increase on the ten years.

The "Welcome" Nt(;get.— <r The Welcome nugget,'' the largest piece of virgin gold ever discovered, was found at 8 o'clock on the evening of the Sth June, 185S, at Bakery Hill, Ballarat, about 190 feet below the surface, and is a very splendid specimen of almost pure gold. The dimensions are as follows : — Greatest length, 17 inches; breadth, 11 inches, and thickness, 7 inches. The weight w.is 1841b., 00/., lGdwt. troy, and the value as a nugget about £10,000. The intiiuMC value was calculated at £5,700. The lucky finders consisted of a party of twenty-two miners (ill Cornishmen, with the exception of one from the neighbouring county), who had previously succeeded in obtaining from the same claim several small pieces varying from 12 to 1-5 ounces. This was the fourth party that had worked the ground, but in this instance they had put down a new shaft. The Ballarat Star remarked in connection with the " find :" "The lucky discovery of the • Welcome ' shows how uncertain is the fortune of the miner. Often and often had that part of the old gravel pita been turned over, an! after the lapse of several years the RedjHill Company have came upon the richest prize ever yet found, and that, only a foot or two beneath and old drive of some one or other of the many parties that had previously woi ked the ground. As usual, we understand that this magnificent lump was found on the reef, though near the gutter, and thus we have another argument in favour of thorough reef prospecting." The Ballarat Times thus described the nugget : '■ It had a narrow escape from being two nuggets instead of oue, for at a point one-third from the end its continuity is only maintained by a narrow neck, w hich is so slight that the men were afraid to handle their prize much lest they might break it in two. In shape it has a grotesque resemblance to a skeleton horse's head and shoulders — the narrow part we have mentioned representing the neck. Or it looks like a continent with a peninsula attached to it by a narrow isthmus. It bears upon its sides the marks of several hard blows from the pick." Xkvfr speak well nor ill o f yourself. If well, men * ill not believe you; if ill, they will believe a gre.it deal more than you say _ L.istorn Proverb. * Yes ! It is certainly true, Ask any of your friends vv ho have purchased there. Garlick and Cranwell have numerous unasked for and very favourable commendations from country customer* on their excellent packing of Furniure Crockery, and Glass, &c. Indies and El?.™E 1 ?.™' 11 * ho " t f finish _ should remember that Garlick and Cranwell's is the Cheap Furnistaing \\ harehouse of Auckland. Furniture to suit all classes; also Carpets, Floor Cloths and all House Necessaries. It your new house is nearly hnished. or, you are going to get married, visit Garlick and Cranwell, Queen-street arid Lome-street Auckland. Intending pur, cbaserk can have » catalogue sent fr««, n

ISl.) ISBS London ... Liverpool ... Cardiff Newcastle ( iyne) Glasgow Hull NVuport, Mon . . SunderUnd . . , Southampton . . Swansea . . Tons 3 934,182 4,876,203 1/134. <)53 2 74.'>,974 507.403 1,1!>6,14S 471.7br» U3QA69 b.C»,957 4»5.807 Tons 5,14 C,452 4,822,011 4,882 o*2l 3,236,262 1.386,574 1,843,725 1,160,713 971,33/5 522.515 767.755