EAST COAST TRAM

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15557, 14 March 1914, Page 8

EAST COAST TRAM

AUCKLAND AND GISBORNE.

IMPROVING THE SERVICE.

NEW STEAMER BUILDING.

An improved steamer service between Auckland and East, Coast bays and. ports will be inaugurated in a few months' time, when a new steamer will be placed in the service. For some- considerable time past it lias been recognised that the increasing trade between Auckland and the East Coast has outgrown the present coastal steamer connection, and as an outcome of the demands made for cargo space the Richardson Steamship Company, Ltd., of Napier, have decided to place a larger steamer in the trade. The Richardson Line bought out the Union Company's interest in the East Coast bays service some time back, when they purchased the steamer Squall, and that vessel has maintained an irregular service between Gisborne and East Coast bays ever since, with an occasional visit of one or two of the other small vessels of the Richardson fleet.

Mr. P. H. Kelly, managing director of the Richardson Line, paid a visit to Auckland this week in connection with the improved service, and also in order to assure merchants and shippers that the trade will in future be well catered for. Mr. Kelly announced that the Richardson Line has placed an order for a new steamer for this. trade. The vessel is now being built at Home, and . will be an up-to-date cargo and passenger steamer of about 600 tons gross, or twice the size of the Sqnall. She will have a guaranteed speed of about 11 knots, and is being built specially to suit the requirements of the East Coast service. The new vessel, which will be named the Mako. is expected to reach New Zealand in time to take up her running in September next. The contract price is over £20,000. The Mako will trade between Auckland, East Coast bays, Gisborne, and Napier, visiting this port every alternate week. A weekly service will be provided, the other vessel to be employed being probably the Kahu, which is at present engaged in the Napier-Wellington trade. The Kahu has accommodation for 15 passengers. When this change is brought about the Squall will take up the Kahu's running between Napier and Wellington.