THE RED FUNNEL FLEET.

Southland Times, Issue 16687, 16 March 1911, Page 5

THE RED FUNNEL FLEET.

TO BE KEPT UP TO THE MARK. According to Fairplay the English shipping journal, Sir James Mills, K.C.M.G., made the following interesting statement at the annual meeting of the Union Company:— on the of building, I may say that as it w'll b- n. cessary for us at an early date to proceed witn fuither building operations in order to replace some of the older steamers whicn are still employed on our main lines, we are watching with interest various important experiments now going on, which give promise of great advances in connection with the propuhiion of steamers. The o.uestion of oil burning is a t ery interesting one, and there can he no doubt about the great advantage of using it instead of coal for -he production of steam. This is fully recognised on the West Coast of America, where oil steamers trading on the coast and to the Hawaiian Islands and even for the long voyage round the Horn are equipped for oil burning. It has also been adopted by the urinctple railroad companies having their headquarters in San Francisco. It is, however, a question of price. On the Pacific Coast ell is very cheap, while coal is dear. Here the position is reversed. Ido not mean that coal is cheap wirh us. but is much cheaper than on the Pacific Coast, whereas oil would have to he_ imported, and the cost would be considerable. I hope, however, the day is not far distant when New Zealand oil fields v-ill be able to supply oil at a reasonable price and in sufficient quantities to justify its adoption to our steamers. Then again, there are developments going on in connection with marine engines in the shape of a combination of reciprocating end turbine engines, from which satisfactory results are likely to be achieved. Interesting experiments are also being made both in England and m Geimany in connection with internal combustion engines. All these we are watching with great interest, as the directors are anxious that this company should not be behindhand in availing of any developments which will tead to improvement in our ships and the increased efficiency of our services.”