STEWART ISLAND STEAMER TO PROVIDE MORE COMFORT FOR TOURISTS

Evening Star, Issue 26130, 18 June 1947, Page 6

STEWART ISLAND STEAMER TO PROVIDE MORE COMFORT FOR TOURISTS

(Special.) WELLINGTON, June 17. Improved accommodation and a higher speed for the Government steamer Wairua will be provided shortly, thus making the trip for tourists from Bluff to Stewart Island more attractive.

“ The purchase and fitting out of G.S.S. Wairua bv the Government some few years ago has proved a splendid success,” said the Minister of Marine (Hon. J. O’Brien) to-day. “ 1 feel sure that the people at Stewart Island and the thousands of tourists who make the trip south will agree that the present vessel is the best unit yet engaged on this trip.” . The Minister added that the annual survey of the vessel would take placeat Port Chalmers within the next few weeks, and the opportunity would be taken to install two 325 h.p. Atlas Diesel motors in lieu of the present steam plant. This change-over, stated the Minister, would give the vessel up to two knots additional speed and would improve her suitability for the ferry service. The opportunity would also be taken to improve accommodation for the crew, to rearrange the galley and to provide accommodation for the engineer and the recently-appointed mate. In addition, the accommodation was being improved to meet the full requirements of passengers. “This vessel.” concluded the Minister, “in addition to a ferry service, provides a monthly mail and goods service to Puysegur Point lighthouse, and also transports the mutton-birders to the southern islands. The improvements envisaged will increase the speed of and give added facilities for these special trips.”