CARGO OF NEWSPRINT

Press, Volume LXX, Issue 21146, 23 April 1934, Page 7

CARGO OF NEWSPRINT

ANTONIO AT WELLINGTON The British steamer Antonio, which arrived at Wellington on Saturday morning from Wanganui to discharge a cargo of newsprint from Canada, is manned by a crew of many nationalities, says the "Evening Post." The firemen arc Arabs, while a Swede, an Estonian, a Greek, a Welshman, a Scot, and two Englishmen .omplete the complement. Not only is the Antonio the first British ship to bring a cargo of newsprint to the Dominion since the Great War, but she has also brought the largest shipment—in all, 4572 tons—ever to be sent to New Zealand. She has already discharged a portion of the cargo at Auckland, Whangarei, New Plymouth, and Wanganui, and after leaving Wellington to-day she will proceed to Lyttelton, Timaru, Duncdin, and Bluff. The ship loaded her cargo at a port built by ner charterers, the Mersey Paper Company. The company has constructed a wharf and breakwater for ships at Liverpool, Nova Scotia. The paper mill is right on the wharf to facilitate loading. On her voyage to New Zealand the Antonio experienced extremes of temperature. At Liverpool the temperature was 16 degrees below zero, and at Panama more than 100 degr</-'S at. times. With the exception of the fact that during her visit to Whangarei last week she inaugurated the overseas trade at that port, her journey to Wellington has been uneventful.

The ship was built in 19J8 and was originally named the War Fijian. Her name was later changed to the Western, and when her present owners, the Egypt and Levant Shipping Co., Ltd., bought her the name was again changed to Antonio. The ship is of 5223 tons gross, and is generally engaged in the phosphate trade. She has paid several previous visits to New Zealand waters.