SIDNEY-AUCKLAND SERVICE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15659, 13 July 1914, Page 8

SIDNEY-AUCKLAND SERVICE

MAHENO IN COMMISSION.

VESSEL MUCH IMPROVED.

The Union Company's steamer Manuka arrived at Auckland shortly after 1 p.m. yesterday from ' Sydney, after a voyage occupying less than four days. The vessel has made her last trip in tho AucklandSydney direct service, in which she has been engaged for the past three months, during the Maheno's detention at Port Chalmers. The Manuka sails this evening again for Sydney, where she is due on Friday. She will leave Sydney tho following day for Wellington, Lyftelton, Dunedin, .Bluff, Hobart, and Melbourne, in which service she will in future be engaged. .

The Maheno, which is duo at Sydney to-morrow from Wellington, will remain there until Wednesday, July 22, when she leaves for Auckland, taking up her usual running in the direct service. The Maheno will make her reappearance at this port on Sunday, July 26.

Between £35,000 and £40,000 was spent on the Maheno during the time she was laid up at Port Chalmers, and the result is that tho vessel is now practically anew ship. From stem to stern sho has been renovated, and brought right up to date. Most of the money has been spent on her new machinerygeared turbines of the latest —and the vessel's .speed has been increased from 13.5 knots to 17.5 knots per hour, on a 25 per cent, reduction of coal consumption. On her trial run from Port' Chalmers to Wellington on Thursday last the Maheno covered the journey of 320 miles at an average speed of 16.5 knots per hour. This was accomplished with an inferior quality of coal, and at a reduced pressure of 1201b of steam on' the hew turbines. The top pressure is 1551b, and it is estimated that when this amount of steam is generated the Maheno will forge through the water at about 18 knots per hour. The vessel cut the distance out between Otago and Wellington Heads in just under 20 hoursa record. One of the great advantages to the travelling public which has been gained by the installation of the new engines is a total absence of vibration under all circumstances.

LAND FOR SETTLERS.

THE MOERANGI BLOCK. [BY TELEGRAPH.— CORBESPOCTENT.I • Wellington, Sunday. The current Gazette contains notification that' some 31 sections of tho Moerangi Block r in the Kawhia County, which were acquired from the natives some time ago, are open for selection under tho optional system. The land comprises a total area of over 17,000 acres, the size of tho sections ranging from 249 acres to 1100 acres. It is - all classified as second-class land. 'Applications will be received at the Auckland Lands Office and at tho To Awamutu Town Hall, up to August 31.

The Otway Settlement, about 6i miles from To Aroha, is also open for selection under the renewable lease. The'estate consists of over 1600 acres, divided into 17 sections, ranging in area from 58 to 135 acres. Applications will closo on August 17- .