IMPROVED STEAM SERVICES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 12653, 6 September 1904, Page 6

IMPROVED STEAM SERVICES.

DUNEDIN TO AUCKLAND IN TWO DAYS. I I TURBINE STEAMERS. MR. JAMES MILLS INTERVIEWED. Mr. James Mills, managing director, of the Union Steamship Company, who is at present in Auckland, was interviewed by a representative of the Hebald yesterday in reference to 'the company's local, intercolonial, and oversea services. Mr. Mills was asked if there was a prospect of an all-the-year-round daily service between Auckland and Wellington being established. "The daily service between New Plymouth and Onehunga, in conjunction with the Northern Company, will be resumed in November next, and I think it probable in view of the improvement in railway communication in the North and South Islands, that «• daily service will be continued throughout the year in future, which will enable passengers leaving Dunedin to arrive in Auckland (Onehunga) 49 hours afterwards. Next Noveml>er it will be possible any day for passengers to leave Dunedin at eight m., catch the Wellington boat at Lytteiton"at half-past six p.m. i the same day, arriving at Wellington at I eight o'clock next morning, and at New j Plymouth at nine p.m. the same day, and 5 reaching Onehun,ga the following morning. < There will be, as you know, two trains daily between Dunedin and Christehurch, which will enable passengers going South who have time to spare, to remain in Christehurch for a few hours, and resume their journey in the afternoon. ~' ( TURBINE STEAMERS. ■ "With regard to the turbine steamer Loor.gana, for the Launceston-Mclbourne run, do you propose to adopt; the turbine principle in steamers trading in New Zealand waters at all?" " We shall wait until we have had some experience with the Loongana, and oa being satisfied we shall complete arrangements already in training for the construction of an 18-knot turbine steamer for the Wellington-Lyttelton service." "And would you make a similar provision for the Onehunga-New Plymouth service?" " That will depend upon the construction of the Main Trunk railway. The company would like to proceed at once with the construction of the : turbine; steamer for the New Plymouth-Onehunga service, but fit present we do : not think this would be wise, in view of through railway communication between Auckland and Wellington being established as soon as the Government contemplate." "Do you contemplate the application of the turbine principle to steamers in the intercolonial services?" "Yes, we are already building a large steamer of this kind for the > intercolonisd trade. She will be, 400 feet loag by 50 feet beam, the same dimensions as the Sonoma and sister vessels in the San Francisco service, and she will steam 16 to 17 knots." AUCKLAND-SYDNEY LINE. "Is provision being made at all for m. acceleration of the Auckland-Sydney run?" " We are anxious to improve this service in common with our other services, but there is some difficulty about it, as steamers from Sydney : to Auckland have to call at the East 5 Coast ports on their way South, but there is limit to the size of the ships which can. be conveniently worked at the t Napier breakwater. It; is possible, how- j ever, that we may place our new; steamer j -', Manuka along with the Mokoia Moeraki in the Sydney-Auckland service during the summer months,- aadf if we are able to do so, the advent of steamers of '■■ this class will ■':: be much appreciated by the travelling: pub-.; THE FIJI SERVICE. j "Is any change contemplated in the Island ! services?' . Well, we have the Navua due here on . Thursday. In fact, I hare oome to Auckland to meet her. This vessel has been ; specially designed for the Auckland-Fiji service, and the accommodation for saloon passengers, of which she will carry 60, is entirely on the : upper deck—-a*, arrange- , meat ; which will; make travelling in the * tropics very., agreeable. ";'The'-! Navua will % t , replace the Moura, which has been tempor- ! ' arily employed in this " trade since the ; Taviuai was withdrawn. : The Navua> is \ 300 feet long by 42 feet beam, with a carry- ' ing capacity of 2500 tons of- cargo. The " holds have been specially ventilated for the '■} carriage of fruit and other tropical - pro- ? duce. , ''

. TEJE VANCOUVER LINE. , " Can you say anything of ike prospects of New Zealand being included in the Vancouver service?" _ ' \ t -' " Negotiations to this end are now going on between the New' Zealand and Canadian Governments, and t have been in ' progress for some time. The Commonwealth Government is agreeable ': to 1 the change, but the ; Canadian Government seems to. be opposed to it, on the ground that it would lengthen the passage by one day. ; I feel sure, however, that when the Dominioa Government has fully considered the great; trade advantages to be gained by including New Zealand in the itinerary the necessary consent to the change will be given, l aid they will withdraw their opposition." ''Will the vessels in that case call at Auckland?" "This point has not yet keen fully considered, but it is not unlikely that Auckland,; by reason of its geographical position, will be chosen as the port of call. This will be the most convenient port for tourists j who have visited or wish to visit* the thermal district and other parts of the colony." ; I ■ Mr. Mills remains in Auckland S until ' Thursday next, when he will return ■■ South, J and a few days later will proceed to Sydney, \\ en route to Melbourne, in order to meet the Loongana, which is expected to arrive there j on October 5. j