SHIPPING NEWS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3331, 16 January 1918, Page 48

SHIPPING NEWS.

PASSENGERS FOR AMERICA. Following are the passengers from Now Zealand for America : Misses W. A*. Cudden, M. Lennox, S. Macfarlane, L. C. Mason, R. Milne, E. R. Small, B. H. Barker, M. Brown, J. C. Waldron, Mcsdames E. H. Ehrenfricd, M. Hustler, H. A. Lneon, L. Louisson, Blyton, Grand and three children, Silver and infant, Walker, Trinder, Messrs C. Shilsky, A. Sclater, C. J. Silver, A. H. Silver, E. H. Strong, J. P. Walker, T. L. Barker, -F. R. Bently, P. G. Blyton, S. S. Gordon, J. T. Grant, T. F. Hansen, C. R. Trinder, Dr F. Truiby King, Lieutenant J. E. Histed, Dr M D. Price, Sergeant B. C. Sharp, Master Louisson; two steerago. . ■ SHIPPING COMBINES. Mail advices state that James Gardiner* and Co. have sold their fleet of 14 cargo steamers to Fuiness, Withy, and Co. The deal was carried out on the basis of £3O per ton. and as the gross tonnage is 70,000, the amount of money involved is £2,100,000. The vessels range from 3500 tons to 5200 tons. The transference of the vessels to Liverpool' owners is a sore blow to the shipping prestige of Glasgow, and will involve considerable losses in business to brokers and underwriters in the Scottish, commercial capital. The loss is all the greater when consideration is had of the fact that the Clan Line is to transfer its headquarters to London, while not long ago the Allan Steamship Line passed into the control of the Canadian Pacific Company, and now has its headquarters at Liverpool. It is current that yet another prominent Glasgow firm is about to carry out a sale of its fleet to English owners. The passing of so many shipping firms into the hands of big companies will rob Glasgow of much lucrative business

Since the war began prices paid for vessels have been, in some cases, remarkable. A few recent ceses show that the demand for more steamers has not fallen off. Trie Okazaki S.S. Company sold a boat of 6250 tons dead-weight, built in 1899, to the Mitsu Bishi Kaisha for £312,500, or £SO per ton. Another vessel of 3100 tons dead-weight, built in 1883, was sold for £85,000. Two others, each of 2600 tons dead-weight, and built in 1886, were sold for £75,000 each.