FROM PACIFIC COAST

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 842, 10 December 1929, Page 9

FROM PACIFIC COAST

JOSEPH CONSTANTINE LINE RE-ENTERS TRADE FIRST BOAT IN FEBRUARY Commencing from February next year, the Joseph Constantine Steam Ship Ltd., of Middlesbrough, will re-enter the Pacific coast-New Zealand trade again. It is nine years since this company was last running to New Zealand. The company was the pioneer of the present Golden Line of steamers now running to New Zealand. When the American Government took over the steamers now used in this trade. Swayne, Holt, Ltd., of San Francisco, was appointed agent, and the Joseph Constantine withdrew from the service. Later the American Government sold the vessels to the Oceanic and Oriental Line, which is operated by the Matson Navigation, Ltd., and Swayne, Hoyt, Ltd., then withdrew as well. Recently the Joseph Constantine Line arranged to resume running in the Pacific Coast-New Zealand service and the head of its New Zealand agents. Mr. W. A. Boucher, of Spedding. Limited, left Auckland at the company's request by the R.M.M.S. Aorangi last month to finalise arrangements. The service will begin with the steamer Brookwood, which is fixed to load early in February for Auckland, Wellington, Lyttelton and Dunedin. The loading ports will be Portland, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Seattle and Vancouver. The Brookwood will be followed in March by the Goodwood, and the Kingswoocl in April. When cargo offers for outports, these vessels will load it as well. It is the intention of the company to maintain a regular monthly service. The Joseph Constantine Steam Ship Line, Limited, owns 11 vessels, the largest now in service being of 5,000 tons. Their names all end in wood, such as Goodwood, Toftwood and Hazelwood. The vessels to. be used in this trade are practically new steamers, the Brookwood has only just left the builders' hands. She is a vessel of 5,065 tons gross, with a length of 408 feet, breadth of 53 feet and depth of 26 feet. She was built by W. Gray and Co., Ltd., West Hartlepool. The Goodwood was built last year by J. Readhead and Sons, Ltd.. South Shields, and has a gross tonnage of 5,00 S tons. Her length is 401 feet, breadth 55 feet and depth 25.6 feet. The Kingswood is also just out of the builders’ hands. She was built by the Northumberland Ship Building Co., Ltd., Xeweastle-on-Tyne. She has a gross tonnage of 5.055 tons. her»-!ength being 405 feet, with breadth of 53 feet and a depth of 26.6 feet.