OVERSEAS SHIPPING.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 10646, 21 December 1910, Page 3

OVERSEAS SHIPPING.

[Bt Eleotrio Telegraph—CorxßioHT.] (Pbr Press Association.) Received December 20, at 9.10 p.m. Fremantle, December 20. Arrived—China, from London. Sydney, December 20. Arrived—Encounter, from Auckland. Sydney, December '2l. Arrived. —Titania, from Hokianga. Received December 21, at 8.5 a.m. London, December 20. Sailed —Muratai, for Wellington. STEAMER ADRIFT. Sydney, December 21. The agents of the Germania believe that she has broken down, but they do not fear for the safety of those aboard. They expect that the German warship from the Bismark Islands, and a British cruiser from the China station will be despatched in search. THE CRAIG LINE. (Per Press Association.) Auckland, December 20. The well-known line of Craig sailing ships, which have been engaged in tiie Australian and New Zealand trade for years past, is about to disappear, giving place to a new line of steamships, which will be owned by a large syndicate. The Craig fleet is owned by Mr J. J. Craig, of Auckland, who stated to-day that it was his intention to dispose of the vessels as opportunity offered. Already ;oine of the vessels have been disposed of, and the remainder may be expected fo disappear shortly. Some time ago Mr Craig announced this step, giving as his reason that the New Zealand shipping laws were prohibitive. He joined a local syndicate for the purchase of the steamer Inga, and the experience with this vessel has been so satisfactory that the syndicate has decided to establish a line of several steamers to engage in tfie Tasman Sea cargo trade, -it present carried oil by the Craig _ saving ships. The second steamer of the new line is now tinder construction at Home, and will be launched early nest year. The new vessel will bo almost iouble the size of the Inga, and will carry almost 2000 tons of cargo. The syndicate have decided that their fleet shall be known as the "I" Lino, and tie names of all their boats will begin with that letter. The pioneer vessel is the Inga. and the boat now on the stocks will be the Ihumata.