THE DOCKYARDS OF THE EMPIRE.

Evening Star, Issue 14186, 11 October 1909, Page 6

THE DOCKYARDS OF THE EMPIRE.

There are grounds for behoving (says the ‘Birmingham Poet’) that -an important result of the Imperial Defence Conference has been a determination to establish naval yards and repairing stations at various points of importance in the Empire, Some time ago a new breakwater was built at Bombay, with the idea of enclosing a harbor large enough to accommodate a whole fleet if necessary, and m conjunction with the Indian authorities the Imperial Government now propose to convert Bombay into a first clues naval station, upon which the whole of the warships east of the Mediterranean and west of Australia would be based. There is already a small dockyard at Bombay, and this is to be thoroughly overhauled and brought up .to to dote in that it may be able to deal with the requirements of a modern fleet. The old dockyard at Hongkong also is to receive attention, and wifi be examined, in order to see of what further value it. might be made. It is stated that Canada, New Zealand, and Australia alike have agreed to maintain dockyards that shall be available for tbe use of the fleet, as well os for their own ships of war, awl a systematic examination of all the dockyards of the more distant portions of the Empire is now to be undertaken. A ROUGH PASSAGE. T. he British cargo steamer Lodorer, bound from Buenos Ayres to Newcastle, put into Wellington on Saturday night for coal. She had only fifteen tons loft—barely enough for one day. The River Plate was left on August 26, and when two days out the ship ran into a gale. One hundred and fifty tons of water were pumped into the after hold to steady her, and later, as the sea became heavier, another 300 tons were taken in. This served to keep the propeller submerged, and gave the vessel a chance of steeling just in the nick of time, as she was then uncomfortably dose to the Agualistas Bocks. The crew are all well. THE MISSING DUCO. WELLINGTON, October 11. The tramp steamer Lodorer, which put into Wellington for coal on Saturday, passed an unidentified steamer last Thursday to the north-westward of the Chathams. The chief officer states that tlie sizo of the vessel could not be distinguished in the dark, but she was steaming eastward. An unusually strong light occupied the position of the anchor light. tho steamer was abeam she burned a blue light, and a few moments after sent up a rocket. The Lodorer failed to unthe signal, which was taken to be a private one, and answered with a blue light, to indicate that it had been observed. The Lodorer attached no special significance to the incident. The steamer Ripple is due from the Chatham® at Lyttelton to-morrow or Wednesday. Her arrival is anxiously awaited tor news of the missing Duco. THE P. AND 0. COMPANY. Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright, SYDNEY, October 10. The P. and 0. Company have decided that during February, March, and April next their steamers shall continue their outward voyage from Sydney to Auckland, ■returning to Sydney, and thence Homewards. (Received October 11, at 8.45 a.m.) The Mahva, Mongolia, and Morea 'will be the first three P. and 0. boats to make the extension to Auckland. They will arrive at and depart from the latter port on the same day. WELLINGTON, October 10. Messrs Johnston and Co., local agents foj* the P, and 0. Line have been advised that three of the largest of the company’s boats will make Auckland a port of call next year. The Malwa will leave Aucktaml for Engtand vta Sydney on Foivniarv 16, and will bo followed bv the Mongolia and Morea on March 16 and April 13 respectively. The object, is is suggested, is to capture some of the Home and intercolonial passenger trade. OVERSEA STEAMERS. SYDNEY, October 10.—Drayton Grange, from Liverpool. SHIPPING TELEGRAMS. AUCKLAND. October 9.—10.30 p.m., Katanga, from San Francisco via Apia,— Squall, for Gisborne via Xologa Bav.— Wanaka, for the Bluff.—October 10 : 7.45 a.m., Mabeno, from the South. WELLINCfPON, October 9.—10 p.m., Lodorer, from Buenos Ayres. LYTTELTON, October 10.—7.45 a.m., Kabinga, from Wellington.—7 a.m., Kaitangata, from Wellington.—9.2o a.m., Waimate, from Wellington.—ll a.m., Mararoa, from Wellington.—3 p.m., Canopus, from Westport. SIDNEY, October 9.—Manuka, for Wellington. MELBOURNE, October 10.—Moana from the Bluff. ’

(h’or continuation see Late Shipping.)