SALE OF THE KUROW

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21493, 17 May 1933, Page 7

SALE OF THE KUROW

RENAMED MABEL MOLLER ARRIVAL OF CHINESE CREW The work of preparing the steamer Kurow, which was recently sold by the Union Company to the Moller Line, of Shanghai, and which is undergoing overhaul at the Western Viaduct, was commenced yesterday morning by the Chinese crew of 27, who arrived from Wellington. Next week the Kurow will be placed in dock for cleaning and painting and she is expected to sail for Australia to load for Hongkong in two weeks. Prior to sailing she will be renamed the Mabel Moller. A number of officers and engineers will be engaged locally to take the steamer to China. Captain R. A. Young, who is to command the vessel and arrived in charge of the crew, engaged a first officer in Sydney and a second officer in Wellington, but no engineers have yet been engaged. The Moller Line already owns three former Union Company steamers and has also bought a number of old vessels in Australia. Captain Young stated yesterday that half the company's fleet had been purchased either in Australia or' New Zealand, ,the remainder being from England. A few weeks ago the Australian steamer Duckenfield was purchased at Newcastle, and she would go to the East at about the same time as the Kurow. '

On arrival in the East the newlybought vessels are thoroughly overhauled, many replacements being made, with the result that an additional 15 years' life is obtained from a ship about 20 or 25 years old. The smaller steamers in the company's service are used in the North China coastal trade, in the carriage of coal to Japan and Manchuria, and in the Burma trade. The larger ships go further afield where cargoes offer. Recently the company has sent steamers to Geelong and Freman tie to load wheat for Shanghai. Captain Young stated that trade on the China coast fluctuated considerably, but it appeared to be increasing gradually. There was at present plenty of cargo offering, but freights were low. An improvement in conditions seemed to have started, however, and indications were that trade would be better in tho next few months.