TIE WHITE STAR LIKE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 11869, 22 January 1902, Page 3

TIE WHITE STAR LIKE.

NEWSTEAMERS FOR NEW ZEALAND.

BEFH AND DOCK ACCOMMODATION. At ; meeting of the Auckland Harbour

Boa) yesterday the following letter from Mess. L. D. Nathan and Co. was read:— " Misr3. Shaw, Savill, and Albion Company, ! Linked, London, writing under date of No- i verier 29 last, inform us that the twin-screw stealer Athenio was then approaching compldon. The Athenic, with two sister veaselKCorinthio and lonic), is to enter the New Zoiatid trade, in which the White Star and Shw, Savill, and Albion Company's lines ncfin conjunction. These steamers (all of abut 12,380 tons register) will considerably eseed in size those at present engaged in th service, and their great length, and draft of water will render special accommodation ncessary if Auckland is to be included in tbir ports of call. Berths affording a depth <i at least 30ft at low water will be neces•■try for steamers of this class, not only at he wharf at which frozen meat is shipped, jut also alongside the large sheds at which tich vessels would discharge inward cargo. (Ve understand that your Board is energetically preparing such accommodation as rill become necessary for the reception of luge vessels of the Athenic type, and that Adaptation of the Calliope Dock is also to Save consideration. We trust that as plans develop you will place us in a position to report actual and contemplated harbour improvements to our friends in London and Liverpool." The letter was referred to the Works and Tariff Committee. ; " The harbourmaster reported that the s.s. Delphic, the largest steamer in the New Zealand trade, had been docked in Calliope Dock without a hitch. The Jock easily took in the vessel, but- there was not sufficient room for riveters to,work. / '

The Chairman mentioned that when Mr. Isnay, of 'the White 'Star line, was in Auckland he visited the dock; and expressed the jreatest satisfaction with the whole of the trrangements. \

After the business of the meeting had been completed, the Chairman asked the members to accompany him to Calliope Dock to see the Delphic. Tho Board's launch Ivuaka (was at the wharf in readiness, and a party, including 1 the chairman of the Board (Sir. A. Kidd), Mr. Nieool, Mr. Dacre, Mr. Gunson, Mr. Harris, Mr. L. D. Nathan, Mr. David Nathan, Captain Evans (of the Shaw, Savill, and Albion Company's Aotea), the harbourmuster, and the Board's engineer, wont over to the dock. They were met by Captain Breen, of tho Delphic, and all walked along the floor of tho dock, and subsequently walked over the steamer and through the dock workshops. Tho huge vessel almost fills the dock, thouglf at a pinch there would be room for a somewhat longer vessel by putting her ' in bow first. It is, however, in width that tho dock .would require alteration to accommodate vessels like the Athenic, which is understood to have Bft more beam than the Del phi o. It was seen, as stated in the harbourmaster's report, that although there was no difficulty in getting the Delphio docked, the comes quite close up to the lower altars of the dock, leaving 110 room for men to _ work. The vessel is being cleaned and painted, and this, of course, is easily accomplished' in tho crarnncd space compared with repairs_ necessitating riveting. The visitors were nighly gratified to see tho Delphic satisfactorily docked, especially as Auckland possesses the only dock in tho colony capable of accommodating such a vessel,'but it was generally agreed that in view of tho fact th a, still larger vessels are to enter the Now Zealand trade some alteration in the dock wilt be necessary, so that oven theso may be accommodated. Tho Chairman stated that two or three of the lower altars of tho dock could be taken away without injuring the dock itself, and in this way tho floor and the wholo of tho lower portion of the dock where it is now cramped would be considerably widened. All present were satisfied that this is a necessary step, and it will sanctioned by the Board without difficulty.