AWATEA’S FAST TRIP

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19126, 22 September 1936, Page 5

AWATEA’S FAST TRIP

NO EFFORT FOR RECORD TWO BOILERS NOT USED SYDNEY, 'Sept. 21. Discussing the Tasman crossing by the Union Steam Ship Company’s liner Awatea, Captain Davey said: “She is a wonder ship. On the voyage from New Zealand we used only four out of the six boilers. No attempt was made on the record, but I have no doubt she ,will be able to take it .when the occasion arises.” The Awatea’s trip took 615 hours, compared with the Mariposa’s record of 58 hours 7 minutes. Addressing guests aboard the Awatea, the Minister of Commerce, Dr. Earle Page, said, that British shipping companies were intent upon maintaining the supremacy of the British flag on both the Atlantic and the Pacific. Thus the Queen- Mary and the Awatea were of extraordinary importance. The Minister added that the Commonwealth Government had done everything in its power to ensure that on the Pacific the supremacy of the British flag should be maintained as far as possible. He had learned by inquiry that the Matson Line had not taken away passengers from the Canadian, Australian, and. New Zealand lines, but had induced new passengers by _ their extra facilities and comfort. Australia could encourage no better Industry than travel and the tourist industry, for those" who came first as tourists would return as trader’s.