NEW SHIPPING SERVICE AT KAIAPOI

Press, Volume C, Issue 29488, 14 April 1961, Page 16

NEW SHIPPING SERVICE AT KAIAPOI

Toa To Arrive Sunday When the port of Kaiapoi was re-opened on November 16, 1958, there were those who were sceptical off the success of the venture but subsequent facts have justified the claims of the advocates of the port and given further encouragement * to those who worked so hard for its re-establishment. Bar ports often present navigation hoards but since its re-opening almost two years and a half ago, the port of Kaiapoi has been free of arious mishap and not only has the initial service been maintained but it has been steadily increased to meet the growing demand.

Sunday will mark another important stage in the progress associated with the revival of the port for then the m.v. Toa, operated by the recently formed Kaiapoi Company, will make its first caW at Kaiapoi, inaugurating a second shipping service with Wellington. The new company plans to carry manufactured goods and produce, mainly potatoes, between the two ports.

“With luck,” said a spokesman for the company, the vessel should complete loading and be able to clear the Waimakariri river bar at high tide on Tuesday evening somewhere about 5 o’clock. The Toa has recently undergone a survey and refitting at Auckland and will be in first-class order to begin its service with the new company. Ideal Ship Of 215 tons gross <lO6 tons net) and having a maximum loaded draught of 7ft 4in, the Toa is considered by the operators to be an ideal craft for the river trade, although she will be one of the larger vessels to work the port in recent years. She has a length of 107 ft. Built in 1927 at Auckland, the kauri-hulled Toa was in continuous service with the Northern Shipping Company, Ltd., until purchased by the new Kaiapoi Shipping Company. whose nine shareholders have contributed a capital of £7500. The shareholders include Messrs C. T. Williams, managing director of C. Morgan Williams and Son, Ltd., Kaiapoi, who will be the Christchurch agents for the ship; Captain C. M. Anderson, master of the Toa; Mr B. Chant, chief engineer of the Toa; Mr M. C. Tipping, secretary of the company, and wives and relatives.

Previously the Toa has been employed chiefly in trading between Auckland and ports in the Bay of Plenty area, according to Mr Williams, who said the vessel had proved a reliable ship and had not been involved in any spectacular adventures. Six Ships The advent of the Toa to the Wellington-Kaiapoi run will bring the' number of ships working the port of Kaiapoi to five. Three of the others, the Paroto, Ranginui, and Taupata, are operated by the Inter-Island Shipping Company, the successor to the Collingwood Shipping Company, Ltd., which reintroduced sea trading with Kaiapoi, while the Picton is operated by Holm and Company, Ltd., who will be the Wellington agents for the Kaiapoi Shipping Company. It is likely the number of vessels working from Kaiapoi may be increased to six. for the Inter-Island Steam Ship Company intends to import a new steel vessel specially built for the river trade. This vessel will have a draft of 6ft 6in to 7ft and provision will be made for refrigerated cargo and heavy lifts. At the present time the new company has no plans for purchasing further vessels. It would be a case of “wait and see” how the trade with the Toa developed, said Mr Williams.