Shipping.

List of ships entered inwards from beyond seas were from opening of Custom House in April, 1848:—

A total of 6187 tons, representing the shipping arrivals from foreign during the first year of the settlement. The departures aggregated 2035 tons, all in ballast except two for the United Suites with oil and bone.

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Coastwise 31 vessels are entered as having arrived from Wellington, Nelson, Akaroa, Campbell Island. Chathams, the Bluff and Wanganui, ranging from 10 to 60 tons.

Records are not available from which to obtain the names of passengers who went by sea from the Tort to Clutha. Custom House documents, as well as those of the shipping agents, have long ago disappeared, and the newspapers are scant in information. The only entries found are:—

1849.—February 18: Cutter. Catherine Johnston, 10 tons, Armstrong, for the Molyneux. Passengers: Mr Ramage, Mrs Hastie, and Mrs shepherd.

Same day: Cutter, Mercury, for the Molyneux. Passengers: Mr Chalmers, Mrs Hay and Family.

In the advertisement announcing her sailing, her agents. Tyser and Martin, Port Chalmers, state

The fine fast sailing cutter, Katherine Johnston, 20 tons burden, has room for a few passengers and goods.

On March 3 the following entry appears:

Cutters Katherine Johnston and Mercury, for the Molyneux. Passenders: Messrs Fuller, Redpath, &c.

The Mercury was registered 15 tons, Carey, master.

There were other craft also trading to the Clutha.

Trading between Dunedin and Port Chalmers appears the Schooner, Scotch Lassie. A. Mercer, agent.

1849.

• April 11—Mary, 533 tons, from London, with sundries
• June 5—Mariner, 687 tons, from London, with sundries
• September 11—Larkins, 770 tons, from London, with sundries
• September 23—Cornwall. 580 tons, from London, with sundries
• November 20—Kelso, 568 tons, from London, with sundries
• December 5—Pekin, 580 tons, from London, with sundries
• December 20—Mooltan, 580 tons, from Greenock, with sundries.

1850.

• March 26—Lady Nugent, 580 tons, from London, with sundries.
• August 6—Mariner, 687 tons, from London, with sundries
• September 4—Poictiers. 600 tons, from London, with sundries
• October 24—Phoebe Dunbar, 704 tons, from London, with sundries.

1851.

• January 17—Titan, schooner. 161 tons, from London, with sundries.
• January 24—Pioneer, brig, 148 tons, from Glasgow, with sundries
• May 6-Cresswell, 547 tons, from London, with sundries
• August 7—Stately, 566 tons, from London, with sundries
• September 28—Dominion, 580 tons, from London, with sundries
• November 16—Clara, 600 tons, from London, with sundries.

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In addition to these there were arrivals from Tasmania and Sydney, bringing live stock, together with bran, hay, oats, etc., on which we were depending. Now, to these places we send back out of our abundance.

Strict accuracy or full details of shipping news must not be counted on in the foregoing enumeration, nor is it to be expected in the following.

No regular announcements were made in vital statistics at the times of their occurrence. A statement was, however, made that during the first 12 months of the existence of the settlement the births were 25, marriages 8, deaths 9, thus showing a natural increase of 16 souls, equal perhaps to 40 per cent, of the adult population. A very cheering prosperous state of affairs quite in contrast with the dolorous tale now told that the birth rate in the colony is decreasing.

Following that general summary a collation—cold and dull it may appear now, then warm and affecting—of events which more than once happen in the experience of our existence; and although a smile should arise at the particularity of the record, or in the use "in" instead of "at," a street, some excuse may be allowed for paternal jubilation.