[From Our Parliamentary Reporter.]

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 8330, 1 October 1898, Page 2

[From Our Parliamentary Reporter.]

Wellington, to-day.

The local office of the Union Company is advised : " The Mapourika is lying at the base of the north breakwater on the north side. She has holes in her hull near the bow. There is no chance of getting her off seaward. If she can be canted broadside to the beach she may be saved by launching." Mr Daniels, repairing superintendent of the Union Company, who succeeded in successfully launching the Mawbera under exactly similar circumstances some yeata ago, leaves for the scene of the wreck with a salvage corps by the s.s. Haupiri this afternoon.

The steamer Mapoiirika was built by Messrs Denny Bros., Dumbarton, and left Greenock on June 30th, reaching Wellington on August 25th, just five weeks ago. She was specially constructed for the Wellington- West Coast trade, and in that running was proving a valuable addition to the Company's fleet, especially from a passengers poiut of vietf, having achieved some smart passages and being found a very comfortable boat. She is 220 ft long, 35ft broad, and has a depth of 16ft 6iu, her net tonnage being 717 tons. A description of the new steamer which appeared on her arrival at Wellington is as follows ;— On stepping from the gangway on to the main-deck an open door invites entrance and a splendidly-fitted social hall is disclosed. The upholstering is of dark v, biown figured velvet and the woodwork ' light maple, relieved by a rich dado of stained walnut. This apartment is lighted from a skylight of beautiful fancy glass (luring the day, and at night is aglow with subdued electric light. "The companions at either Bide of the after end of the social hall lead the way to the saloon— one of the daintiest of marine dining-rooms, lined with maple, relieved in good contrast by the massive-looking walnut banisters ana dado. The upholstering is of blue figured velvet, harmonising well with the cream coloured portions (maplo wood) of the revolving chairs. At the forward end are two bevelled mirrors, which are so much in vogue at present for decorative purposes. The saloon seats 80 persons. Two alleyways lead aft from the saloon, in which are situated the quarters for 150 paasongors, admirably fitted up, fau ventillatioti being placed here and there to relieve the stuffiness which exists in a more or less degree on every ateamor. Tho officers' and engineers' cabins are on the main deck amidships, opening out on the alleyways, which divide them from the engine-room. A comfortable smoking room is placed aft, the seats and easy chairs being beautifully upholstered in the softest brown leather. There are marble-topped card tables, long mirrors, and every convenience for the travelling smoker. For sanitary purposes this apartment is covered with | artistically perforated rubber matting. Over tho smoking-room is the poop deck, where there are two lifeboats and one | patent collapsible canvas boat capable of carrying 30 people. On the other side of the after end of tho promenade or hurricane I deck are too more lifeboats, while further 'forward is situated the captain's cabin, I a roomy apartment substantially fitted up> Overhead is tho bridge, with all the latest improvements and a act-up framework for an awning. The steerage, capable ot accommodating 31 passengers, is placed 1 right forward, and is a plain and substantial apartment, quite as good as many saloons we have seen. There are three holds, forward, amidships, and aft' capable of containing 950 tons on a draught lof 14ft, but on the West Coast tun the vessel will moat probably not be called on to carry that much. The lavatory arrangements are positively luxurious and equal to any liner that visits the port, and life-saving apparatus is liberally placed in every convenient part of the ship. Tho engines (1300 1). p.) are on the triple expan sion principle. The Mapourika did 12J Knots on her trial, a speed which she has fully developed on her new run. The steamer has a freezing chamber capable of holding 400 carcases. Captain McLean, formerly of the Penguin, was in charge. Immediately prior to starting ion her initial trip iv the West Coast trad*) ' the Premier and a number of members!! Parliament were invited to inspect ape steamer, and in the saloon they <raO| success to the Mapourika, and it was lit^Q thought so lino a boat would be so soon piled up on the rocks. Also at Nelson, Westport, and Greymouth the Mapourika was visited by thousands of people, and she was admitted to be the finest steamer yet seen on the Coast.