TRANS-TASMAN TRADE

Press, Volume LXXXI, Issue 24749, 14 December 1945, Page 9

TRANS-TASMAN TRADE

MONOWAI MAY SOON BE RELEASED

PLANS OF UNION STEAM SHIP COMPANY . (P.A.) WELLINGTON, December 13. The Union Steam Ship Company hopes shortly to obtain the release of the troopship Monowai for reconversion for the trans-Tasman passenger service pending the introduction of new tonnage. The same applies to the Aorangi, which is at present serving with the Pacific Fleet, and it is proppsed to refit this vessel for the C. A. Line Royal Mail Service between New Zealand, Australia and Canada pending the introduction of new tonnage. This was announced by the chairman tMr G. R. Ritchie) at the annual meet-, mg of the company to-day. "'The new steamer-express vessel, which it is hoped will be launched irom VicKers, Armstrong’s yards in April next, will be the first substantial passenger vessel built in the United Kingdom since the war began, and should be here in good time to take up her running in the inter-island service towards the end of 1946,” said Mr Ritchie. “In addition, the company has lust launched from the yards of Henry Robb and Sons, Leith, two motor vessels Kanna and Katui, each with a capacity of about 1800 tons, which are due in New Zealand fairly early next year. Another vessel, the Kaimanawa, of 3000 tons deadweight, built in the United Kingdom during the war, is still engaged in service for the Ministry of War Transport between ?he United Kingdom and Germany. It is hoped to have this vessel released about March next for service in New Zealand.

New Vessels "The company also has on order two vessels with a deadweight capacity ot 3000 tons suitable for either generalcargo or coal. These vessels are being built by Robb and Sons and should be completed early in 1947. “Alexander Stephen and Sons are building a motor vessel with a capacity of between 5000 and 6000 tons for the New Zealand-Australian trade, and a licence has been received for a second vessel of this-type. “Licences also have been applied for in the United Kingdom to build three 10,000-ton deadweight motor, cargo vessels with accommodation for a limited number of passengers for the New Zealand-India and trans-Pacific trades. “Plans for all these vessels with their widely differing ' requirements for specialised trades were prepared by the company’s staff in Wellington, except for the Kanna and Katui, which in order to secure early delivery were taken over by the company after construction, commenced.” Record Operations Referring to the company’s operations during the 12 months ended on September 30, 1945, Mr Ritchie announced ■ that record figures for both passengers and cargo carried were again achieved. “As much as 1,293,500 tons of cargo were transported on the New Zealand coast, including 516,584 tons of coal. A total of 364,000 tons of cargo was carried in the inter-colonial trade. The mileage steamed by the company’s vessels engaged in commercial work was 1,116,919 miles for the same period.” Referring to the ' war period, the chairman mentioned that .the company had lost by enemy action seven vessels. In addition, two vessels of a gross tonnage of 11,867 tons which had reached the end of their useful life were scrapped in the United Kingdom. Mr Ritchie said it was of rather special interest that the company's vessels had carried over various routes throughout the world during the six years ended on September 30, 1945, a total of 868,625 troops, 12,900 refugees, 5500 repatriated civilians, and 5560 airmen, the latter in connexion with the Empire Air Training Scheme in Canada.

During the war period 1,031,234 tons of fuel oil were received into the company’s installations and delivered as ships’ bunkers, while the company's laundry at Evans Bay laundered 11.897.276 pieces of linen on account of the company’s fleet and various troopships. In face of continued heavily-in-creased operating costs, the meeting adopted the directors’ recommendation again to confine payment of a dividend to preference shares, the rate being 2} per cent, for the half-year, making 5j per cent, for the year.