INTERCOLONIAL SERVICE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18760, 13 January 1923, Page 6

INTERCOLONIAL SERVICE

MOERAKI FROM MELBOURNE. A POPULAR VESSEL. As a result of continual agitation by South Island merchants and others, and as the increasing passenger traffic between Australia and New Zealand warranted it, the Union Steam Ship Company recently made improvements in the intor-eolonial services and the New Zealand coastal run. One important change, which was welcomed by both merchants and the public, was the replacement of the Pnloona, in the Melbourne-New Zealand run, by the fine inter colonial steamer Moeraki, Which has always been a favourite with travellers. On her first visit to Dunedin after an absence of seven and n-half years the Moevaki, from Melbourne, via Bluff, berthed

at the cross wharf shortly before 11 n.m. yesterday. Her arrival attracted between 260 and 300 people to the wharf yesterday morning, and the disembarking of her passengers brought, memories of those pre-war days when the Moeraki and other passenger units of (he Union Steam Ship Company’s fleet embarked and disembarked hundreds of travellers at Dunedin.

She brought 313 passengers from Melbourne tor New Zealand, the majority of these leaving the vessel at Bluff and proceeding north by .Thursday's express." She landed more passengers at Bluff than have been disembarked there from one t vessel for many years. The Union Steam Ship Company is confident that the change will justified, and that increased trade will result. The fact that almost (he whole of her passenger accommodation has been booked for the outward trip is surely a good omen. Captain .T. G. S. Doorly. formerly cf the Raloona, who is in command, has a very tine record, and is regarded as one of the company’s most, capable officers.

Tlie Moeraki. which loaded 1500 tons of general cargo at Melbourne for Now Zealand ports, will discharge 660 tons here, including transhipments, and about 400 cases of fruit, mostly oranges. Sb e is to sail at noon to-day for Melbourne, via Lyttelton and Wellington. On her next, voyage trom Melbourne she will come to Dunedin, via Wellington and Lyttelton; thence to Melbourne, via Bluff. She will then make alternate trips from Melbourne, via Bluff, amt via Wellington, <■