PASSAGE OF THE "WILLIAM HYDE."

_We briefly noticed last week the arrival oF this ship from England, and we are now enabled, through the courtesy of a passenger, to add the following particulars. ° The William Hyde weighed anchor at Deal on the morning of Tuesday, the 21st October, 1851, and having a favourable wind, went at once down the English Channel, and across that terror of English landsmen, the Bay of Biscay, where the wind and sea were both something rough. On the the 31st October we passed Madeira at midnight, bearing S.E. by E. On the Bth November we caught a shark, from which some excellent steaks were cut. On the 14th we sighted St. Antonio (Cape Verds)j bearing E. by S., and distant about 40 miles. From thence to the line the N.E. trades were very light, and it was not till the 25th Nivember, thirty-live days from Plymouth, that we passed the equator. On the following day, Wednesday, the 26th, we sighted (lat. 1 48 5.,) the schooner Marmora, which had been taking in cnrgo alongside with us in the East India Docks, and sent off a boat to her, which brought back Captain Kelly and the two Messrs. Rochfjrt l.er passengers, to dine with us. From tins day we saw no more of her till the day we entered Port Victoria, the Mcirmnra chopping her anchor within an hour of the William Hyde. The Marmora sailed from England two days before the William Hyde. From this point to about lat. S. 42-2, and E. long. 5048, oar course was slow and uninteresting, the S.K. Trades entirely failing us. To beguile the time, however, the play of the " Merchant of Venice" was got up, and performed before the passengers and crew. The costumes were, thanks to the taste and industry of the ladies, most appropriate and even elegant, and the female parts were sustained by ladies, and not as was the casein the performance of the Rivals on board the Rnndolph, by gentlemen. (Heavens! Lydia Languish

by a gentleman !) This incident proved a source of great amusement, and furnished the topic of conversation for what would else have proved many a weary hour. On the 19lh December, 47 days from Plymouth, we passed the Meiidian of Greenwich, lat. 34--19. On Christmas Day we were off the Cape, and the day was spent as nearly as possible after the old English fashion. On New Year's Day the children of the Cuddy and Fore Cabin had an entertainment in the Cuddy, and the children of the Steerage passengers were regaled with fruit, tarts, cake and wine on the quarter deck. On Saturday the 3rd January we made our best run during the voyage, having gone over 281 mjles in 24 hours, and from this time a good pace was kept up to Stewards,lsland, which we sighted on Saturday, 30th Ja^JUary, at break of day,'lying N.E. by E., passing jt,^, closely as not to see the ' Traps.' At hbpfjj&f rhV same day, we were offOtago, where the wind headed us and kept us out till the sth, when we safely anchored in Port Victoria, having accomplished our passage, under the protection of a merciful Providence, without a single casualty or serious disagreement, and all in good health.

The live stock brought on board were a pure Devon cow, six pheasants, six partridges, two rare geese, two Muscovy ducks, a couple of wild ducks of a peculiar breed, and some lopped-eared rabbits, the property of Mr. Briltan, the surgeon; and two fawns and a goat, consigned to Mr. Godley. Of these the only survivors are the cow, one hen pheasant, the geese, the Muscovy ducks, one doe rabbit, and the goat. The unfortunate death of the fawn we noticed last week.

We have the pleasure of adding to this brief recital, that since the arrival of the William Hyde, the following address has been presented to the captain.

" Dear Sir, —We, the undersigned passengers in the William Hyde from England to the Canterbury Settlement, New Zealand, having arrived at our port of destination after a passage remarkably free from danger and discomfort, desire before we separate, to convey our deep sense of obligation to 3'ou for the uniform kindness and gentlemanly attention ■\ve have received at your hands.

" Dependent as the passengers of eveiy vessel must necessarily be for their comfort during so long a voyage on the person in command, we cannot but acknowledge with much thankfulness, the Providence that placed us under your care; and we desire,- ( to offer you this feeble but sincere expression of outhigh appreciation of your skill —the strong attach-. merit we feel to you, and our warmest prayer thai? in all your future movements, every happiness may attend both you and yours.

" We remain, Dear Sir, Yours very faithfully and sincerely, (Signed)

"Joseph Brittan*, Surgeon-Superintendent, " Arthur Osvvell Cotton, Chaplain. (And nearly all the Cuddy and Fore-Cabin Passengers.) " To Captain Applewhaite, Barqae William Hyde."

[advertisement.] To the Editor of the Lyttellon Times. Sir, —I beg leave to enclose the accompanying Bill of Costs for the Draft and Lease of Section No. 9 in this town, which I request you will publish, and oblige yours, &.c.. George Compton. " Miss Bovten and Messrs. Hornbrook and Compton, to C. E. Dampirr. " As to Agreement. Jan. 8, 1851". Attendance upon Mr. Bowen and instructions for and drawing agreement for letting the Mitre Hotel on Norwich Quay to Messrs. Hornbrook and Compton for 14 years. Copy thereof for perusal, Fol. 20 . . .- . . . .113 4 Attendance upon you therewith, and on Major Hornbrook on the 13th thereon, and on the 20th conferring on objections suggested . . . . . . . . . .068 Jan. 21 to Feb. 11. Attending Mr. Bowen on Major Hornbrook's objections to the Draft, and subsequent conferences with him thereon, and afterwards with Mr. ,^ Bowen, explaining to him the various points, and settling draft for engrossment 0 6i 8 Feb. 20. Engrossing two parts'of agreement for signature 1 10 0 Feb. 22. Attendance upon Major Hornbro >k, and afierwards on Mr. Compton, respectively, reading over and signing agreement 068 Feb. 26. Attending Miss Bowen at Christ- ■"< church; reading over and signing agreement 068 £4 10 0 An to the Lease. June. Instructions for and drawing Lease of the Mitre Hotel for 14 years, rental 80/., with special clauses. Copy thereof for perusal of the lessees, and attendance thereon .200

June 21. Conference with you on the Draft Lease, when you requested the lessor would relieve Major Horubrook from the lease, in consequence of their proposed dissolution of partnership, and I was to see Mr. Bo wen thereon ...... 0 6 8 June 30. Subsequently attending Mr. Bowen at Christchurch thereon, when he consented, upon having a written request to that effect from Major Hornbrook, and conferring en the proposed alterations in the Draft. .......... 0 6 8 Aug. 5. Drawing out letter to that effect for his signature, and writing you therewith 0 7 6 Aug.; '29. Letter to Mr. Compton to urge ;,co,tflpletion of the lease 0 3 6 .S€jj»v2J?. Attending Major Hornhroolc on this'subject, requesting completion of the lease, when he stated he Would sign and send me the lett< r required, and I was to complete the lease; revising draft lease accordingly, and erasing his name . .0 6 8 Octr 12. Attending surveyor, instructing him to make plan of the premises to attach to the lease and afterwards for same, and pay his" charge ...... .0 6 8 Engrossing Lease and counterpart, 20 fol. each ..168 Dec. 5 to 8. ~ Letter to Mr. Bowen, with lease for execution by Miss Bowen, and full instiuctions for same, and on the same being returned, attending Mr. Compton, reading over and attesting execution of the counterpart, and handing over the lease to him 0 13 4 5 17 8 Paid Mr.Dobson, surveyor, for taking plans, and inserting same in lease and counterpart 1 11 6 £11 19 2