THE UNION STEAM SHIP COMPANY.

Otago Witness, Issue 2253, 6 May 1897, Page 55

THE UNION STEAM SHIP COMPANY.

A NEW STEAMER.

IMPROVEMENTS IN THE SERVICE.

The Union Steam Ship Company have just ordered a new steamer to be built by Mtssrs Denny Bros., at Dumbarton, for the WellingtonManukau trade. She will be somewhat of the dimensions of the Takapuna, but Hghtsr draft, s6 as to enable her to work Onehunga at low water. She will ba fitted to accommodate 150 saloon passengers, and will steam 12 knots per hour at sea. Her equipment will include all the latest improvements, ventilation by electric motors, electric light, &c. while a refrigerating chamber will be ond of the special features of her specification. It is mtendeJ that she shall be out in New Zealand in time for next hummer's traffic, and her advent, will tend to -still fnrther popularise tho West Coast route to Auckland, already made a favourite by the running- of the Takapuna. She will be named the Rotoiti, and Captain Cameron, the Union Company's marine superintendent, now at Home, will remain there to see her completed and despatched. It haa been decided to rsmune the Lindcrdile. the company's Isles'; acquis>l'.on, the Wanaka, and f>he will be despatched to Calcutta iv Sepfcomber, to leave shero again fov New Zealand on November 20. She will he followed by the Rnkanoa, which is n'xed to sail from Calcutta on December 31. The company's new intercolonial steamer Waikate, now building a-fc Home, will he loaded out to 'the colonies by Messrs Patrick Henderson and Co., and is fixed to sail on Mny 31. She Trill come out iv chargo of C.tptaia Farmer, so well and favourably known as chief cflicsr and on several occasions acting-master of the s s. Flora.

(Fhom Our Own Cob respondent. )

Wellington, April 30,

Workmen are busy here nighbhnd day eit'eoting improvements injsome of the smaller vessels belongiug to the U.S.S. Company. The company has for some time pa*t been setting to work energetically to improve its service in several directions. The Moana, the new boat for the San Francisco service, is expected to reach Sydney next month, and Mr James Mills will leave Dunedin in the Talune, and proceed via Melbourne to Sydney, whete the arrival of the new ship will be celebrated by a banquet on board.