PURVEYING FOR VESSELS.

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 11008, 4 July 1901, Page 5

PURVEYING FOR VESSELS.

Somo interesting particulars have been obtained by a representative of "Ihe Press ' in connection with the catering for vessels at Lyttelton during the Royal visit. Mr William Green, greengrocer, of London street, said: — "It was a pretty stiff job to supply with vegetables ancl milk six men-of-war and the two Government steamers. I did not supply the Royal yacht. Of course, there wouia not have neen the same amount ol strain had the supplying of these ships been a matter of regular routine, but it was the suddenness of tha call which toid on my resources. You will understand, that the boats came every morning, one irom each man-of-war and the time for putting the supplies on to the boats was between haifpast six and half-past seven m the morning. The boats would then go to their vessels, returning about a couple of hours later for further supplies. No, I had no great difficulty in getting the vegetables. I had a good stocK in hand, and the rest I procured without much trouble. I had also to supply the milk, and was able to get pretty well all that was required. I believe that the same strain was felt by the purveyors in Wellington and Auckland, and aa tar as 1 could learn they did not meet the demands upon them so well as we in Lyttelton did. At least that is what one of the stewards, who seemed to know the condition of affairs throughout the vessels, kd mc to be li eve. I cannot give you any details as to the fruit and vegetables I supplied, but yo.u can easily imagine that the quantity was pretty considerable." Mr W. G. Shepheard, baker, etc, ot Canterbury street, said: —"During the whole time the Duke of Cornwall and the warships were here I had no cessation from work, even on Sundays the baking had to be done. lam glad to be able to say, however, that the demand was fully supplied, and I received assurances that 1 haa given every satisfaction. From a contractor's point of view, tbe amount of bread I sup- ! plied will give an idea of what had to be | done. I did not supph. bread to the Ophir • because they make their own on board of ! her. The quantity of bread I s_ht to tbe men-of-war was 24,0001-8 weight. This includes about a.thousand pounds weight which they took to sea with them. To fulfil the orders I had to get six batches of bread baked for mc by other bakers in Port. There has never been so muny men- ! of-war in the harbour during my residence in Lyttelton, but I believe there may have been a greater number when the Duke of Edinburgh's Flying Squadron was here. Mr F. Lufaro, who caters fish and fowl ' for the Union Steam Ship Company, said he had not had to supply the men-of-war with very much beyond a few fowls. The Ophir had taken about two hundred pounds weight of fish, and a thousand oysters. Sir Trengrove, of the Lyttelton branch of the Christchurch Meat Company, said he j had had a busy time during the stay of j the Royal visitors. About two tons of meat had been sent to the men-of-war and the Ophir. This was for the various wardrooms, as ths men, of course, had their meat from the ships' stores. With regard to the Ophir. a special feature in the supply to her was the "small goods," which, while not including sausages, did include a quantity of sweetbreads, specially selected for the Royal table, as the Duohess was very fond of them.