THE IMPERIAL STAR

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22504, 23 February 1935, Page 7

THE IMPERIAL STAR

ARRIVAL'AT PORT CHALMERS LAST WORD IN MERCHANTMEN Considerable interest was manifested in the arrival of Blue Star Line’s new motor ship Imperial Star at Port Chalmers yesterday morning from Bluff. In spite of the heavy rain, a large number of people visited the ship during the day. The Imperial Star has a striking appearance. .The rakish stem, cruiser stern and squat funnel, oval, in section, give the motor-ship an appearance of power and speed which was justified on her maiden voyage, during which she averaged 16.2 knots. She has only one mast, the derricks for working the after hatches being slung from Samson posts. For passenger accommodation the Imperial Star has four single' and four double cabins, all spacious and handsomely furnished, and.each having its own bathroom. The saloon, panelled in flaming birch, is divided by glass doors, so that one half chn be used as the dining room and the other half as a lounge. In consequence of the continuous rain, the Imperial Star did not commence loading the frozen cargo allotted for her at this port until the afternoon. It is hoped; however, to complete loading to-day and despatch the vessel this afternoon for London, via Panama.

COMPLIMENTARY LUNCHEON COMPANY’S GRACEFUL GESTURE. A pleasantly informal function, in. the shape of a luncheon tendered to representatives of the various local business and shipping interests by the commander (Captain D. R. Macfarlane) on behalf of the owners, was held on the vessel during the day. There was an attendance of about 30 guests, and among those present wflre the Mayor of PortChalmers (Mr John Watson), Mr H. E. Holler (representing the Otago Harbour Board), the secretary of the board (Mr J. Renton) : and Mr J. H. Duncan, representing the agents (Messrs H. L. Tapley and Co.). At the conclusion of luncheon, Mr Holler proposed the toast of the “ The Blue Star Company,” and coupled with it the name of Captain Macfarlane. After apologising for the absence of the chairman of the board (Mr H. C. Campbell), who was unable to be present, he said that, along with his fellow members of the board, he was delighted to find that the port of Otago was capable of accommodating ships like the Imperial Star. Otago Harbour, although not the deepest, was the safest, in the Dominion, and, while perhaps it might not have the facilities possessed by the northern ports, it would have them in a very short space of time, so that when Captain Macfarlane returned he would find that the port had' progressed beyond all knowledge. The captain was born in Auckland, but they could also claim him as an old Otago boy, for at the age of 10 years he loft from Dunedin on his first voyage. He joined the Blue Star Company in 1915 and was now, at a compaartively early age, one of its leading captains. The company was indeed fortunate in having such men in command of its ships. To Captain Macfarlane the people of Otago tendered their s’.ncerest congratulations and a warm welcome to the port. Replying to the toast. Captain Macfarlane said that first of all he was a New Zealander, and as he had made his first voyage from Dunedin he had a sentimental interest in the port. He thanked the guests for their presence there that day, and for their kindly goodwill and hospitality.. , The toast of “The Agents” (Messrs H. L. Tapley and Co.) was proposed by Mr Watson, who coupled with it the name of the manager (Mr J. H. Duncan ). He congratulated Captain Macfarlane on being in charge of such a fine vessel and expressed the opinion that the exporters of the country were being well catered for in the matter of transporting their produce overseas. Unfortunately the importers were marking time, with the result that, in many eases, the ships were forced to come out in ballast, which was disastrous for the companies. He hoped that the enterprise of the Blue Star Company would be rewarded, and he believed that, if the Government would do away with the heavy rate of exchange, goods would again commence to flow in and the shipping companies would have a good time indeed.

In reply to the toast, Mr Duncan said that Mr Moller was in error when he stated that Otago Harbour was not the deepest in New Zealand. He had been looking up last year’s records and had found that the deepest ship that left New Zealand had gone out of Otago Harbour. On high tide they could send out the deepest-laden ships that left the Dominion, and he would like to make this clear, because the Otago Harbour Board was prone to hide its light under a bushel. Unfortunately, as far as facilities on its wharves were concerned, the board had no light to hide. — (Laughter.) The final toast was that of “The Captain’s Wife,” which was honoured by the singing of “For She’s a Jolly Good Fellow.”