MARAMA'S LATE ARRIVAL

Evening Star, Issue 22363, 12 June 1936, Page 11

MARAMA'S LATE ARRIVAL

SECOND TIME IN WEEK ramatira may resume in three weeks For the second time this week the distribution of mails from the north for Christchurch and places south of Christchurch was delayed by the late arrival of the Marama at Lyttelton yesterday morning (says the ‘ Press ’). The Marama fs relieving on the steamer express run because of the mishaps to both the Rangatira and the Wanine. but it was stated yesterday that the Rangatira might be ready to return to the service again at the end of this month. The Invercargill express yesterday did not await the arrival of the Marama. which berthed at Lyttelton 25 minutes after the train had left Christchurch. A special train was sent away with mails and steamer passengers fo*the south at 10.25. The Marama is running under the handicap of an encrusted hull, the result of the vessel’s long period of lying up in Evans Bay and it is hoped to give the vessel a day in the Wellington floating dock on Sunday, June 21, by which date it is expected that repairs to the Kalingo, at present in the dock, will have been completed. The hull condition materially affects the speed, and the cleaning work is expected to bring a big improvement. In the meantime the delays in the Manama’s arrival south are being met as they rise by the Post Office arid the Railway Department on each day the vessel is late, and no permanent arrangements have been made. Twice already this week the Marama has been behind time, and special trains to the south have been necessary, and mail deliveries in Christchurch have been delayed.

The suggestion has been made that the problem of the Railway Department might be much simplified if the Marama was on the Wednesday. Friday, and Sunday runs, as on two of these days the noon express would obviate the need for the special train, and on the third day there is a night train south. It is thought unlikely that this suggestion will be carried out —as it could be by both vessels making an additional Sunday trip—because of the short time the Marama will be in service on the steamer express run. It was stated yesterday that, while no official announcement has been made, it is considered likely that the Itangatira wilt be readv to resume in the service by the end of this month.