THE MUSEUM.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XXII, Issue 2681, 19 February 1866, Page 4

THE MUSEUM.

Doubtless our readers will have observed an advertisement in our columns from Mr. J. Whyte, tobacconist, Queen-street, announcing for sale " antique Greek, Roman, and English coins ; Roman spearheads, daggers, signet rings, brooches, &c." We were asked to examine these the other day by a gentleman who takes a deep interest in the collection of ancient coins, and who has enriched the Auckland Museum with a very valuable addition to its treasures ; and we agree entirely with him that it would be a pity^ to allow the rare and valuable collection in the possession of Mr. Whyte to be scattered abroad. We think that the entire collection ought to be purchased on behalf of the Auckland Museum. Mr. Whyte bought the coins, &c, from Mr. Eastwood, a gentleman who spent twenty years in getting them together. Such a chance of securing a unique collection of ancient coins, rings, medallions, &c, may never occur again ; and we have no doubt a sum sufficient to purchase the lot entire could be raised in this city ; but, if not, we are certain the Provincial Council would readily vote £50 or so to supplement the public subscriptions for such a laadable object. We trust some gentleman will take the matter m hand at once, and secure the collection for the Museum.

THE BALLARAT.— TRANSPORT OF TROOPS. We have been requested to state that the barque 'Ballarat,' Captain Allan, and not the ' Percy,' as stated by our contemporary, will take home the head-quarters of H.M. 68th Regiment, in command of Colonel Greer, and will leave these waters in a fortnight. The « Percy' will take her departure a few days previoasly, with about 350 rank and file, and 50 women and children — the head-quarters following in the 'Ballarat.' An inspection of the latter vessel was made on Saturday, and she is to be fitted up during the week for the reception of troops. She was found well adapted for the conveyance of soldiers on a long voyfige, and we doubt not will give every satisfaction to those proceeding home by her. Her 'tween-decks is 158 feet long and 30 feet breadth of beam, and height 7 feet from deck to deck. The vessel has been much admired by our shipwrights, for her superior workmanship, and the strength and make of her iron girders 'tween decks. She was built at Aberdeen in 1854, and was pierced and mounted with 10 guns on each side, intended for Sherrard Osborne's Chinese expeditionary fleet, but was subsequently purchased by Messrs. Vanner, Prest, and Lyth, of Great ht. Helen's, and converted into an emigrant ship. Her last voyage was to Wellington, which place she left for London direct with cargo and passengers, and made the homeward passage in 90 days, beating many famous clippers which left Australia and New Zealand during the wool season. On arrival in London she was overhauled, and re-classed A 1 at Lloyd's for eight years. She was elegantly fitted up, and had her spacious saloon painted green and gold. Her saloon contains nine cabins* Two of these— in the stern— ara 15 feet by 12 feet— the largest private cabina we have seen on any ship. One of these will be occupied by the military officer commanding, and the other by officers' families. There are four other cabins eight feet square, and three seven feet square, each of which will be fitted with two heights. There is likewise accommodation in the saloon for the agent of transports, the captain and chief officer, master's pantry, bath-room, &c. The saloon is also fitted with a patent safety stove for use in cold weather, and during the passage out was also furnished with one of Ohappell's best pianos from the Exhibition of 1862. The between decks has been measured for the accommodation of 280 men, besides women and children. The men will, as usual, occupy hammocks, three feet apart, and the families and non-commis-sioned officers roomy cabins fitted up aft of the vessel. There will also be a hospital aft, the distance from the maiu hatch to the stern being devoted to these purposes. The bow of the 'tween-decks will serve as a prison. The sanitary arrangements have been scrupulously attended to. Messrs. Fraser and Tiune are about completing a large cooking store to be fitted in the galley, in addition to the one already erected. Owing to the number of troops to be conveyed, the •Ballarat will not have room for private passengers. She has on board 180 bales of wool, 25 tons kauri gum, 10 tuns sperm oil, and will sail between the Ist aud sth proximo. She may be expected to make a rapid passage under the control of Capt. Allan, whose efficiency as a seaman has long been known whilst in command of the ship •John Bunyan,' owned by the same firm. The • Bal arat' was freighted "by Messrs. Shaw, SavilL and Co. for this port, and consigned to Messrs. Cruicksbank, Smart, and Co,