Tbs steamer Stormbird arrived from Wan ganui at 3.30 am yesterday, having made the passage in 10J hours. Strong N.W. winds were experienced throughout the passage. She returns to-day. The steamer Go-Ahead left Wanganui at 3.43 pm on Monday, experienced strong N.W. winds, and arrived at 3.15 am yesterday. She sailed during the afternoon for the Hast Coast. The Union Steamship Company’s steamer Waihi left Blenheim at 5 pm on Monday, and arrived at Wellington at spm yesterday. She returns to-day. The Black Diamond Line steamer Grafton left Oamaru at 5.15 pm on Monday, the 2nd instant, and arrived at Lyttelton at 10.30 am on the 3rd; left at 4.20 pm the same day, and arrived in harbor at spm yesterday. Ex perienced strong head winds with heavy sea throughout. She leaves for Nelson and West Coast ports to-day. It has been arranged that the inquiry into the recent stranding of the barque Fusilier on the Rangitikei beach shall take place at 11 am to-day before Mr ETardcastle, R. M., with Cap tain Watt (l ady Jocelyn), and Captain Horne, R.N., as nautical assessors. Tha Union Steamship Company’s steamer Havvoa returns from_ Ficton and Nelson this morning, and is to sail for Lyttelton and Port Chalmers during the day. The Union Steamship Company’s steamer Wanaka is due from Lyttelton and Fort Chal mers to-day.
COMMERCIAL.
New Zealand Times Office, Wednesday Morning. Messrs J. H. Bethune and Co. effected a sale by private contract of that well-known and superlatively good estate Lansdowne, near Masterton, containing 2086 acres freehold, the property of J. Valentine Smith. The pur purchaser was Mr T. O. Williams, of this city.
MAIL NOTICE.
Subject to necessary alterations, Mails close at the Chief Post Office, Wellington, as under:—

This Day, February 6.
