Change Of Name.

In 1879 the James Nicol Fleming's name was changed to Napier. This change came about as a result of the notorious failure of the City of Glasgow Bank in September, 1878. Many people will remember the sensation this and other bank failures in Great Britain caused at the time. The Glasgow Bank failed for several millions of pounds, and thousands of people were ruined. Fleming was one of the directors, and when the smash came he levanted to Spain, but some time afterwards returned to Scotland and gave himself up, as he was wanted on charges in connection with the bank's affairs. He was sentenced to a term of imprisonment, serving one year, I think, and in the latter days lived at Campbelltown, a broken and ruined man. If I am not mistaken, the ship Margaret Galbraith bore his wife's maiden name.

Following is the record of the ship's voyages to New Zealand, the port of departure being Glasgow, except where mentioned in parentheses:—

The last two passages were made after the ship had her name changed to Napier.

There was another vessel bearing the name of Napier which arrived at Auckland on the 16th February, 1865. She was a barque of 571 tons, in command of Captain Petherbridge. The barque also visited Nelson, arriving there on December 8, 1863, with Captain Pether-bridge in command. She was then a new iron vessel, and she made the passage in 83 days, the quickest run of any vessel to Nelson at that date. She landed 70 pairs of partridges, skylarks, blackbirds, thrushes, and goldfinches for the Provincial Government.