STEAMER FOR LAKE TE ANAU.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXIX, Issue 3678, 2 March 1899, Page 6

STEAMER FOR LAKE TE ANAU.

The new steamer Tawera (Morning Star) was launched on Lake To A imu on AVednesday last, and christened by, Mrs Murray Menzies She was built by the Dunedin Foundry andi Engineering .; Company (Limited), to the order of Messrs Donald Ross.and Co. and Captain Menzies. She is built’ of-steel, and divided into three water-tight compartments. Her..length is 70ft,- depth ,6ft 6m. and beam, 12ft.', As she now lies in the water her draught forward is 3ft and 4i ; t aft. She-is. fitted with compound, surface-condensing engines pi 125 horse-power indicated, and will have accommodation above and below decks for 60 passengers. , :, , . ■, . ■ After the christening axicHaunohing ceremony was completed on Wednesday afternoon,; the visitors, builders, owners, etc., were * invited to 1 Ca ptain ■ Duncan s r pretty residence on the banks of the lake, a most recherche luncheon, had heexv prepared by the Captain's daughter, Mr# JiaU and" Miss Morrison (from Dunedin), after partaking of j which toasts, ■iu sparkling drinks, from -The Queen J * downwards, became the order of, the day, including, of course,. *vrhc ** The Builders, (represented by;• Mr Gardiner,. Captain •'Menzies, Guides: Donald and John Ross, and 1 Oaptkin Duncan),The Visitors, , f‘ The Ladies/’ etc., .etc. In the, evening a pretty display of rockets and fireworks Were set off from the deck of by Captain Menzies and Mr Alexander Patterson (son of -Mr Archie . Patterson, of Waihola), who takes the position ; of engineer .on sthe Tawera. ; - . Quite a number of Bnghsh ,and Australian tourists are putting off time just .now at Wakatipu and other places waiting r th G commencement of the ruiining of this, npai. She was expected to make her first trip on Saturday, but her official trial the supervision of the Government inspector, including the builders and owners, and a large number of invilefi guests from Dunedin- and other parts of Otago and Southland, will take place to-day, when it is confidently anticipated that she will attain a speed of ten to eleven knots per hour. This will enable the trip to the head of the lake and back to be made easily and punctually as per advertised time-table. p