THE UNION CO:S STEAMERS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 10414, 12 April 1897, Page 5

THE UNION CO:S STEAMERS.

TRIAL, TRIP OF THE MOANA. THE WEST AUSTRALIAN TRADE. [by telegraph.—press association , . 1 Wellington, Sunday. Tub Hon. G. McLean has received information that the Moana, which replaces tho Monowai on the San Francisco route, did 17 knots on her trial trip, half » knob inoro than stipulated. She w of 1500 ton;, and has vary superior cabin accommodation, fitted with chests of drawers, and soma with wardrobe:.

The Waikare, of 3000 tons, for the intercolonial sorvico, ie oxpoctod to arrive at tho end of June. Either Captains Phillips or Darling will bring hor out. The company intend to build a new steamer for the Onuhungn-Wellington running. She is to be 200 feet lung, with a beam of 32 foot. She is to have twin screws, and will steam very fust. She will bo able to cross the Mannkau Bar ab any state of the tide, and will bo specially fitted for passengers. Sho will replace the Mahinapua, which \i to be further improved, and sont to Tasmania.

The Richmond is to be altered and put upon the Oreyniouth running with the Wftinui.

Tho Takapuna is to havo her passenger accommodation re-modelled.

Tho work required by this programme will be dono in tho winter months, and the co»t will run into some thousands of pounds. Tho directors of tho company are con eidarlng tho question of the Wustern Australian tri-.de, and are prepared to lay on the Hanea or soma othor cargo boat if required, but the übstacle in the way is the want of back freight.