TELEGRAMS.

Grey River Argus, 20 April 1909, Page 3

TELEGRAMS.

l'cr Press Association— By El)ectr_c Teiejjrapii-— Copyright.

THE MARAROA.

A STARTLING DISCOVERY.

A BROKEN SHAFT

CHRISTCHURCH, April 19. This morning while the engines of the ferry steamer Mararoa were being examined, the startling discovery was. made that the thrust shaft was broken right across. There had been no previous intimation of the fracture. The vessel had made good steaming time on her last run down from Wellington and the engines worked well and without a hitca. She left Wellington at 11.5 p.m. on Saturday and reached Lyttelton at ii.ip a.m. yesterday. The break in the shaft is a somewhat extraordinary one. Usually the fracture in a vessel's shaft is longitudinal or a diagonal, one, and in that case it is possible to put the patent coupling on; but in the case of the Mararoa it would have been impossible to have done this. It is probable ithat had it not been discovered this .morning the break would, have • made its presence felt when the vessel made a start to leave the wharf. Had the vessel gotawav to sea before the discovered break it would have rendered her helpless, and she would have gone The manager of the Union Steam Shin Company states the break is a serious one, and will probably keep the vessel in port for a week while \ a new thrust shaft is being fitted. As there is no other vessel available today- to take up the running of the Mararoa there will be no ferry steamer leaving Lyttelton for Wellington tonight. The Union Company has, however, made the necessary arrangements to enable the ferry service to -be maintained after_ to-day. The Waikare leaving Wellington to-mor-row night will await the Northern express and will said at 8 p.m. for Lyttelton. The Maheno leaving Lyttelton for Wellington. on Wednesday evening will await the arrival of the first express from Duriedin. The Pateena will leave Wellington on Thursday night at 8 o'clock, and will continue in the ferry service until the Mararoa is ready to resume running.