WELLINGTON TO NELSON.

Colonist, Volume LV, Issue 13520, 11 January 1913, Page 4

WELLINGTON TO NELSON.

NEW STEAMER SERVICE

(Special to "The Colonist.")

Wellington, Jan 10

The A.waroa, a speedy and serviceable steamer, formerly engaged in the Kaipara trade, is to inaugurate a new service between Wellington, Nelson, and Motueka on Wednesday, January 15th. For somo time past negotiations have been proceeding between Messrs Johnston and 00., and the Wellington Steam Ferry Company (the Awaroa's present owners), and it is announced that the steamer will leave Wellington next Wednesday for Nelson and Motueka, leaving Motueka on the return trip on Thursday. It is intonded to make the trip weekly between the ports mentioned. The Mararoa, at present engaged in the service, will be maintained in her present running pro tcm. The Awaroa. is a well-appointed steamer, built of Australian hardwood by Morris and Sinclair, of Balmain, Sydney,, in 1904, to a design by Mr Walter Reakes, and at a cost of £16,000. She is-140 feet long, 26 feet 4 inches beam, 13 feet moulded depth, and draws about 8 feet of water. Her engines are by the Wallsend Shipping Company, England, and arc triple.expansion, the diameters of the cylinders'being 13 inches, 21 inches, and 35 inches. The Awaroa has a largo cabin, and a dining saloon aft, with. a ladies-cabin ■on the upper deck. A well furnished smoke room is placed on the forward deck. Electric light is fitted and steam steering gear employed. The Awaroa has a hold forward capable of holding 200 tons of general cargo. She can steam 12 $ knots when working at full-pressure. Prior to being \ purchased by the Ferry Company in August of last year the Awaroa was employed and owned by the Kaipara Steamship Company, Auckland. Messrs Johnston and Company aro to act as local agents for the Awaroa when she enters the service. At present the vessel is undergoing a thorough overhauling alongside the ferry' wharf, and during tha next day or so she will be placed on the patent slip for cleaning and painting.