SALE OF THE PAPANUI.

Evening Post, Volume LXXIX, Issue 113, 14 May 1910, Page 6

SALE OF THE PAPANUI.

« SOME DETAILS OF THE TRANSACTION. With reference to the sale of the New Zealand Shipping Company's steamer Papanui, which was damaged by striking an uncharted rock on the western coast of Tasmania, and has been moored in the Yarra for some months, a letter was read at a meeting of the Melbourne Harbour Trust last week from the local agents, the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company, stating that the vessel had been sold. The local agents had not full particulars of the sale, but they had been advised from Christchnrch that delivery of the vessel would be taken at Melbourne on the 14th inst. It will be remembered that the Papanui was docked in the Yarra, but owing to it being ascertained that the repairs to her would cost £23,000, the owners withdrew her from the dock and berthed her in the Yarra, pending her sale. Q'he trust allowed the vessel to remain alongside the wharf from the sth" February, to 28th April without charge, but, nothing having been done with regard to the vessel, decided to charge quayage rates as from the latter date It was ascertained on the night of the meeting that the Papanui had been purchased by a syndicate of Melbourne business and shipping men at a price tsomewhere in the neighbourhood of £10,000. Mr. H. C. Sleigh, who is one of the representatives of the syndicate, ktates that the vobsel is to be repaired, and if a suitable quotation can be obtained in Melboxirne for the work it. will be carried out there. The original lowest tender for the repairing of the steamer — which has a hole 150 feet long by 5 feet wide in her hull — was £23,000, but the syndicate thinks this price too large. No information can be obtained as to the trade it is proposed to run the vessel m, but it is generally understood that she is to be fitted up to carry live stock. The Papanui originally cost between £96,000 and £100,000.. A southern contemporary understands that the purchasers are the firm that recently bought the business of Messrs. D. Benjamin and Company, and known as the Australasian Assets" Company.

Sergeant Rutledge ami Constables M'Kelvie and Doyle to-day raided premises in Ghuznee-street occupied as a laundry by Chinese. A quantity of opium and smoking utensils were seized. Court proceedings follow to-morrow. A meeting was held in the Wesleyan Church, Petone, last evening for the purpose of making arrangements for the Henry-Potts mission, which will commence on 25th July, continuing till 3rd August. A committee of twelve was &et up, and in addition the various churches are invited to each elect two representatives. Rev. A. Thomson was elected chairmen, Revs. T. H. Williams and Cotton joint secretaries, and Mr. W. B. Nicholson treasurer. A conductor, Bade, on a Wallacestreet car, travelling in Cuba-street, had a mishap near the Ghuznee-street crossing soon after 2 o'clock this afternoon. He was knocked from the side of the car by a passing cart. The man was shaken, and had a hip bruised by his fall, but he was not severely hurt. A meeting of local ministers was held in committee this afternoon, to consider the programme of a combined memorial service in connection with the death of King Edward. Special prices for Saturday for boote and shoes are advertised by Mr. A. E. Mann, Vivian-street. Special attractions — "Modes of the Momont"— are announced by Meswrs. C. i Adams and Co.j Cuba-street.

Messrs. A. L. Wilson and Co. offered at auction yesterday a family residence of ten rooms (No. 91), in Broughamstreet, erected on a section 80ft by 120 ft. The property was passed in at £2250, -and is now open for private sale. Attention is called to the alteration in the date of tho sale of Mr. G. Potts' Tawhera Estate. Messrs. Abraham and Williams, Ltd., advise that owing to the funeral of King Edward being fixed for Friday, 20th May, this sale has been postponed until tho following day, Saturday, 21st May. Pringle's are now showing a special lot of artistic pewter work from their different manufacturers. The goods are of special design, aritl consist of tea sets and ornaments. Reduced prices are advertised by Mr. Joh E. Lindberg, draper. Cuba-street.

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