1856.

Chatham, barque, 540 tons, Captain Cole, from London via New Plymouth, arrived 5th June. She was sadly baffled on the English coast, hanging on and off for 23 days before she cleared the Channel. She arrived at New Plymouth 19th May, 109 days from Land's End, sailing on the 22nd, and eventually reaching Auckland after a passage of 17 days from New Plymouth.

Sandford, ship, 624 tons, Captain R. H. Hughes, sailed from London 7th March, arrived 9th July. In addition to landing 93 passengers at Auckland, the ship had 26 for New Plymouth.

Lord Burleigh. This fine ship, one of Willis' line, was a vessel of 622 tons, in command of Captain A. C. Clarke. Sailing from Gravesend on 18th April, she crossed the Equatorpage 200 22nd May and arrived 8th August. This vessel had hitherto earned a reputation for speed, her previous passage to Sydney having being made in 79 days. On the trip to Auckland for 12 consecutive days she made an average run of 290 miles per diem. She brought out 12 cabin and 128 second and steerage passengers.

Martaban, a fine iron ship of 900 tons, Captain Lawson. She was built by the celebrated builders, Messrs. Scott and Co., of Greenock, two years previous to her visit to Auckland. The "Southern Cross" stated: "She is a noble looking vessel, 170 feet in length, the first constructed of iron that has visited the port." The Martaban sailed from London 16th June and reached Auckland, on 8th October. She landed 108 passengers in excellent health. One of the passengers was Mrs. James Leigh, Clonbern Road, Remuera.

Conference, the first vessel to arrive at Auckland from Liverpool, was an iron ship of 531 tons, under Captain W. Webster. She sailed 16th August, and arrived 29th November.