THE STEAMER TANIWHA.

Auckland Star, Volume XXIX, Issue 16, 20 January 1898, Page 8

THE STEAMER TANIWHA.

On January 12th the new steamer Taniwha, built by Mr R. Logan, senior, to the ozxlerof the Northern Steamship Company,was launched. She was christened by Miss Macfarlane, daughter of the Chairman of Directors of the Northern Steamship Company, who broke the customary bottle of champagne across the nose of the Taniwha. There were also on the platform, from which the vevssel was christened, Mr J. B. Macfarlane, Miss E. Macfarlane and Miss Kelly.

The " Taniwha is constructed on the diagonal principle, with three skins, and is copper-fastened throughout. She is intended for the Upper Thames trade, and is therefore of a light draught. Her dimensions are : Length overall, 112 feet; beam, 24 feet; depth of hold 7.8 feet; and draught, sft Gin. When light her draught will be 4 feet 6 inches. The vessel lias a very fine appearance. She lias been very faithfully built by Mr Logan, who is aiso the designer of the hull and fittings, and who is to be highly complimented on the manner in which he has carried out his contract. The engines are twin - screw, compound, surface condensing with one multitubular, double furnace boiler, which is built of mild steel, carrying a pressure of 1101b per square inch. The boiler is Oft Gin long by 10ft Gin in diameter. The cylinders are 11-Ain and 23in by 16in and will develop '400 h.p., giving aspecdof 11 knots. Messrs A. and G. Price, of the Thames, are the contractors for the machinery, which was designed by Mr G. Go«, the assistant superintendent engineer for the Company, and carried out under his supervision.

Altogether, the Taniwha is a very complete vessel, and should be very popular in the trade. The fleet of the Northern Company now numbers 28 vessels, seven of which have been added in the last two years.

Captain Rose, Wellington manager of the New Zealand Shipping Company, is resigning. He intends to proceed to England and reside permanently there. Ben Tillett, who is now in Nelson, will shortly pay a visit to the King Country, afterwards returning to Christchureh en route to Australia arid England. He will not seek re-election to the London County Council.

The following changes and promotions have been made in the Customs Department :—Mr Slater, landing surveyor at Christchureh, is retiring from the service, and Mr A. Carter, formerly of Wellington, and who has been acting as Collector at Blenheim, will take his place. Mr W. J. Hawley, chief clerk in the local office in Wellington, becomes Collector at Blenheim, and Mr W. J. Hempton, the well-known ex-athlete, senior landing waiter at Christchurch, but latterly acting as Collector at Westport, will take Mr Hawley's place in Wellington. Mr W. J. Wratfc, landing waiter at this port, is to be transferred to Nelson, and Mr G. Craig, from the Dunedin branch, will come to Wellington in Mr Wratt's place. Mr J. Howie is to be transferred from Nelson to Christchureh, where lie will act in Mr Hempton's stead. Mr T. R. Herd, formerly of Wellington and now shipping clerk at Lyttelton, is to be transferred to Auckland.