NEW MISSION SHIP

Dominion, Volume 26, Issue 47, 18 November 1932, Page 11

NEW MISSION SHIP

May be Built at Auckland PROPOSAL BY BOARD Possible Undertaking Dominion Special Service. Auckland, Nov. 17. A proposal that the vessel which is to replace the wrecked motor-ship Southern Cross should be built in Auckland instead of in England is being considered by the Finance Board of the Melanesian Mission, which is expected to make a recommendation to this effect to the committee in London which raised the money to build the last mission vessel. The Southern Cross, which was wrecked on a reef on the Island of Aneitum on November 2, was built at Cowes in the Isle of Wight at a cost of £25,000, which was raised by a committee of English people interested in the work of the Melanesian Mission. The insurance on the hull and machinery amounted to £21,000, which is now available for the building of another vessel. Although the Finance Board of the mission has no authority to instruct the English committee handling the money, it is understood that the recommendation will be made that the new vessel should be built in Auckland. The board’s view is that the acquisition of a new vessel is an urgent matter in view of the dependence of the mission workers in the islands on a regular supply of stores. Considerable time would be saved in placing the new vessel in service if it were built in New Zealand, as the long voyage from England would be avoided. The opinion was expressed in shipping circles that greater satisfaction should be obtained by constructing the vessel in Auckland than if the work were carried out by English shipbuilders, as the work could be supervised by local experts with first-hand knowledge of the mission’s requirements. Another consideration which is not likely to be overlooked is the premium that would be received on account of exchange. If the insurance money is forwarded to New Zealand at the present rates it would make available an additional sum of approximately £l7OO. _____