BOOM IN SHIPPING

Taranaki Daily News, 29 January 1934, Page 8

BOOM IN SHIPPING

AUSTRALIAN ACTIVITY.

BUSY COASTAL SERVICES. Sydney, Jan. 18. Phenomenal demands are being made for passenger and freight space in interstate ships, and Melbourne and Sydnej' are experiencing the busiest shipping for many years. Although extra ships are leaving Melbourne for Sydney and Western Australia during the coming weeks, berths in the saloon accommodation are practically unobtainable. The Westralia on her last trip from Sydney was fully booked a fortnight before she sailed. There was a waiting list for the Manunda when she left for Sydney on Saturday and most of the vessels leaving for Sydney until .the end of the month have similar waiting lists for saloon berths. Ships playing between Western Australia and eastern ports are carrying a larger number of travellers than has been known for years. The holiday cruises inaugurated last year by Australian concerns have shown improved bookings this season. The Diniboola is fully booked many trips ahead, and the Katoomba and Karoola are carrying large crowds to the Great Barrier Reef. Arrangements have been made for the Katoomba to make a special cruise to Noumea at Easter, to cover a period

of 21 days, and to include several island calls in the Pacific. The large amount of freight offering is still providing big cargoes for interstate vessels, and there are fewer ships laid up at Melbourne than has been the case for six years. Harbour Trust returns for inter-State trade during 1933 are expected to show a marked increase in tonnage handled.