A TRIAL OF SPEED.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 167, 15 July 1907, Page 5

A TRIAL OF SPEED.

Considerable rivalry exists between the Settlers' S.S. Company and the newlyformed Kawau S.S. Company, as to the relative speed of the Kapanui, the greyhound of the former company, and the Daphne, the new steamer recently constructed for the latter company, aad which made her maiden trip on Saturday afternoon last. .Both steamers left tjie Queen-street wharf together, but the Kapanui lost a minute or two by having to turn round in the basin, while the Daphne went straight out from hex berth. As the boats passed the end of the railway wharf their engines were put at full speed ahead. The Daphne had then a lead of about 200 yards, and there was no change in the positions when the North Eead was passed a little later. A close' race ensued to Waiwera, and the larger boat, gradually increasing her lead, arrived ■at the favourite gulf resort about seven minutes ahead of the Kapanui, and completed the trip in 3 or 4 ininntes less than her rival. The Daphne's time from wharf to wharf was 2 hours 15 minutes, the steaming time being five minutes less. The local office state that it is hoped to reduce the time for the Waiwera trip to 2 hours, when the engines get into better running order. Hitherto the Kapanui has held the ''blue riband" of the gulf fleet of steamers, and her owners state that she is equal to better things than she accomplished on Saturday. When she beat the Claymore some time ago she finished the journey in two hours seven minutes from wharf to wharf.