STEEL TUGS

New Zealand Herald, Volume 81, Issue 24869, 15 April 1944, Page 6

STEEL TUGS

SHIPS FOE AMERICANS CONSTRUCTION IN AUCKLAND Five steel tugs have 1 been launched from the yards of Steel Ships, Limited in Auckland, for the use of the United : States Army. These 75ft. Dieeel-engiag craft are the first of 15 ordered by the Army and a further 15 will be built for the United States Navy. Sturdy boats for co-operation with ' t'he armed services, the tugs are powered with six-cylinder 320 horsepower Atlas Imperial engines driving t single screw, and on recent trials i n trips to Whangarei and Mayor Island the Coatesville, the first to be completed, proved herself in heavy seas ano averaged 9.5 knots. The tugs will give* New Zealand place-names start, ing with the letter "C." Two Every Month

Many manufacturing firms in Aucfc. land have had a hand in building the tugs. Various sections have been fabricated in different workshops and have been assembled by expert welders at the yards of Steel Ships, Limited, on the Kaiser principle used for building Liberty ships in America. The 125 ft girder type of steel jib, which has bgl come a landmark on the Auckland waterfront, and which has a lift of sj x tons, is used for bringing the sections into place over the stocks. No official launching ceremonies have been held and the completed hulls, weighing about 64 t-ons, have been lifted into the harbour by the floating crane Mahua. When fitted with engines and completed the tugs have a tonnage of 115. Eighty New Zealanders, including two young women machinists, are employed at the yards. The first will be delivered* at the end of 'this month and it is estimated that two will follow every month. Built from an amended American design, the tugs, which are V-bottomed, have attractive lines. A high, roomy wheeihouse jg situated well forward immediately aft of the mast and the squat funnel jg flush with the top of the wheeihouse. With a beam of 18ft., forward draught of 6ft., an aft draught of Bft. 6in., and small bilge keels around the side of the hull, the tugs are steady sea boats. Comfortable Quarters An inspection of the Coatesville, ! lying at the cross-tee of the new export wharf, revealed comfortable quarters j and handsome equipment, similar hx many respects to that of Liberty ships. Accommodation for six men is provided below the main deck forward, where they will sleep in two-tiered bunks in a roomy cabin well furnished with chests and with good lighting. Four officers will sleep in a slightly smaller cabin aft. 'The galley has "a coke stove and a refrigerator and a shower-room is provided. The wheelhouse contains radio receiving and transmitting sets, a loud-speaker system. lighting control, apparatus for the Morse lamp at the mast-head and ample drawers for eharts :

RELEASE OF PREMISES CONSIDERATION BY FORGES (0.C.) HAMILTON, Friday A reply t-o his inquiry concerning the occupation of hotels by the Air Force in Hamilton has been received by Mr. F. Findlay, M.P., from the Minister of Defence, the Hon. F. Jones, who stated that a surrey wai being made of all premises rented and leased by the services throughout NewZealand. Particular attention was being paid to localities where hotels or hostels were concerned with the object of vacating them if at all possible. "You may rest assured that if it is | at all possible the hotels you mention ■ will be made available to the general ' public at an early date," said the Minj ister. | LOCAL AND GENERAL ! j Revision of Jury Panel The annual revision of the jury pane! in the Auckland district was conducted at the Magistrate's Court yesterday before Mr. J. Morling, S.M., and two justices of tlie peace. No applications for exemption from or inclusion in th® list were received, and no alterations were necessary. Rationing Regulations The rationing authorities are finding that a number of people are under the impression that they can re-register with another grocer for supplies every six months. That is not the position. The only occasions on which the consumer can change his grocer are when he moves to another district, when the new books are issued annually in November, or if he obtains special permission from the rationing officer to make the change. Sale of Hula Skirts About 100 grass or bead * and shell hula skirts from the Pacific Islands were auctioned by one firm at the City ►Markets yesterday, the sale being the first of its kind in the city. Interest among the bidders was aroused by a performance given by a number Rarotongan boys employed at the markets, one of whom played a geitar while others danced in their native festive dress. Prices ranging up to 30s were paid for the skirts. Butchers' Hours A possible alteration of butchers hours in Wellington to bring the fivsday week into operation was discussed by representatives of the Wellington Shop AsJTst&nis' Union (butchers' section) and the Wellington Master Butchers' Association. The agreement reached at the conference will now be referred back to special meetings of the union and the association, and " upheld will be forwarded t-o th® industrial authorities for ratification. Ordering of Meat One result of meat rationing hs* been the recent refusal by the majority of butchers to accept orders made over the telephone. It was pointed out yesterday that it was unfair that customers who were fortunate enough to possess telephones should be able to purchase the bulk of the unrationed lines before other customers could attend the shop personally to mafee their purchases. In addition, the extra amount of work caused by rationing has made it impracticable for many butchers, particularly in smaller shops, to be answering numerous telephone inquiries. 'ETew Bank Books As the old books_ are _ filled a ne* type of bank book is being issued of the Post Office Savings Bank. The new book includes a balance column, whtcji was not incorporated in the old • which contained only deposit and drawal columns. With the new column the public* will be able to_ tell at ® glance how much they have in credit in the bank. Work at the ledger window will be facilitated by the new booss, and no longer will both the deposit an withdrawal columns have to be added up to find the credit balance for worxing out interest. The books are einnl® to those of the Auckland Savings Bank. New Zealand Boxers An opinion on New Zealand ® rDa l e boxers which was expressed by Heeney, • who is now serving in t ® South Pacific with the United Navy, is contained in Kiwi News, newspaper which is published tor 1 Third New Zealand Division, in® former New Zealand contender tor • world's heavy-weight championship s that the average New Zealand an \ had stamina, speed, courage ana ability to take punishment, ont handicapped by not having <^ ve * t ] v punching technique. Very frequently he lost to an opponent who was so > knew less of the game, but had a p ( and hit hard from all angle*. • . after all." said Tlcenev "boxing essentially a matter oi hitting _ fellow before he hits you, and him so hard he is not able to b*> back."