THE MARAROA.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18431, 11 July 1925, Page 18

THE MARAROA.

COMPLAINTS AIRED.

MINISTER TO INTERVIEW UNION COMPANY.

(special to "tke tress.") WELLINGTON, July 10. The Mararoa's misfortunes were the 1 subject of discussion when a large deputation of Soutfi Island members of Parliament waited upon the Minister of Marine this morning. After representations had been made, the Hon. G. J. Anderson promised to approach the Union Company and ask tor the Wahina to resume running in place oi thfc Mararoa, or that at least another twin-screw vessel should be employed on the lntcr-lsland run. There were eie-ven members in tue deputation, which was organised by Mr D. G. bullivan and led by Mr 1. Jv. Sidey. The others were Messrs J. Hitchenor, E. J. Howard, L. M. Isitt, J. Edie, T. D. Burnett, H. h. Holland. J. A. Macpherson, P. A. de la Periflle and the Hon. D. Buddo.

Eecent Happenings. On more than oa occasion, said Mr Sidey, there had been breakdowns by the vessel, and the indications were that the Mararoa was unsuitable for the service. The recent breakdown might or might not have been due to the ago of the vessel, but a breakdown of that nature seemed liable to occur at any time in a vessel of tiie Mararoa s length of service. Apart from the question that a survey demonstrate that the machinery wasjn good order, there was a strong feeling that the vessel was not safe enough to be put on this service. She must be 40 years old. Mr Buddo: .Just 40 years. Mr Howard: She began running in 1885 Mr Sidey considered this sufficient argument, ltoc&ntly tho vessel 'had left Wellington on a Saturday night and had reached Lyttelton on Monday morning. This was under exceptional weather conditions of course, but it might occur again. He knew that the Union Company would tell the Minister that it would not pay to run the "Wahine at this time of the year, that the number travelling would not warrant it, but why should tho choice be between tho Wahino and a ship 40 yars of age? They felt that the time had come for an up-to-date ship to ho put on tho run. The Minister: Yes, but what do you suggest ? Mr Sidey: The time has come when some up-to-dato ship should be put on the run. The Minister: The Union Company should do this? Mr Sidey: Yes. The Minister: And bear the cost of it? ■Mr Sullivan: Tell thsm you woul* 1 put on a State ferry service, and they'll come to light. Another Ferry Steamer Desired. A number of his constituents had approached him, said Mr Isitt, who thought that they should save the public from what was a distinct peril. Not long ago the ship had left in the teeth of a southerly, had broken down and drifted for hours. He had asked the captain what would have happened if the accident had taken place outside the Heads, and had been told that he ■would have anchored. The vessel had shown herself to be liable to temporary stoppages, and was not« safe ship for the service. . She had twico broken down since she had been newly put into commission, and the company should substitute somp other steamer which would give the travelling public a greater sense of security. ' The public knew what it wanted, and it wanted a ship which was safer near shore, declared Mr Buddo. Pine Ship Once. . Mr E. J. Howard also mentioned the vessel's age. Forty years ago sho had been a .fine ship, and there had been a "women's rest-room on ■ board. Now that had been taken for bunks, which were' not superior to the steerage accommodation except that they had sheets. Some of the cabins were below the waterline, and common-sense would tell them that these could not be aired or cleaned. She could not have more, than a hurried clean-up before she wentout. They should look -at tho caulking on her upper deck. This must tell in bad weather. On board, when a breakdown occurred, the passengers could never discover the reason for it because of the company's "hush policy," and when tho company said that the delay Was due to au overheated bearing they bad to accept it. She was an old ship, a wonderful old ship, but she Was due for a rest. The Minister: Superannuation. (Laughter.) A new steamer was obviously ncccssaryvsaid Mr.IT. B. Holland. Thq Union Company had done extremely well out of tho people of this country, and ought to provide it. Missed Connexions. A number of. people were afraid to travel in the Mararoa, which accounted for tho argument concerning the dearth of travellers at this time of the year, added Mr P. A. de la Pevrellc. Whenever the ship was late she missed the southern express and people had to wait in Christchurch. The Government paid a substantial subsidy to the Union Company for the carriage of mails, and should have a voice in tho matter. A Bun of Bad Luck. It was obviously a matter for inspection, said Mr Anderson-, and when he had heard that tho deputation was coming to him he had had reports prepared. Their inspectors wero men of integrity and above suspicion, aad Captain W. Cullen, chief inspector of machinery, had reported that the vessel's breakdowns had been diH- to a run of bad Juck, and were not in any sense constitutional. A total of £18,936 had been spent on tho ship for repairs during tho past two years—£l3,372 iu 1923-4, when she was converted from coal to oil. and the balance in 1924-5. Captain Cullen: That's only for her last two annual overhauls. Mr Holland: That doesn't say anything about the smell in the boat. No Trace of Vermin. Mr Anderson remarked that a friend had told him that there had been bugs in his cabin, and so the Health Inspectors had been asked to report also. They had made a report, which bo read. It stated that conditions m the ship as they %aw it woiild be attheir worst because she had just completed a voyage, nevertheless they were entirely satisfactory.. A special search ha<J been made for vermin, but none had been found, tiiire for a few cockroaches, nothing was discovered. There were certain defects in the lavatories which could not well be avoided. :

It seemed to him that the deputation like a Paster, lighter vessel. sa»d Captain Cullen. Mr Burnett. One more reliable. of Ferry Steamers. If the- Company put a twinf?™Vrftv* r on ™» said Oajn Iw and e ood » but if 82USL vessel, the Mararoa was .iOonttewd fl t ioot + colu]m)

could run on the trip. So far as her ago was concerned, this would only affect the boilers, and these had not failed in any sense. "Then why these frequent breakdowns?" asked Mr Isitt, who also wanted to know whether it would not have been a serious matter if the engines had failed when the vessel was near the Heads. The Wahine was a turbine steamer, the Mararoa carried reciprocating engines, answered Captain Cullen, and the Mararoa probably had ten bearings for the ■Wahine's one, thus she had ten times the risk ol her bearings being: heated. Certainly if the vessel had been obliged to stop when near the Heads and the wind had been blowing her on shore, there would have been danger. The Health Inspector said that no had nothing to add to his report, but. would be pleased to show members where the trouble with the lavatdrie* was found. A question by Mr Sullivan as to the size of the ship's cabins drew from Captain Cullen the remark that the Board of Trade exacted a certain cubic capacity for passengers, and that the Mararoa had that in all cases. Minister's Promise. A promise was Riven by the Minister that he would approach the XJnioti Steam Ship Co., and ask them if tliey would put back the Wahine on the run, or if this was not possible, at least put on a twin-screw steamer and thus obviate delay.