A NEW INTERCOLONIAL LINER.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 7508, 16 September 1902, Page 2

A NEW INTERCOLONIAL LINER.

♦ THE PASSENGER STEAMER MOERAKI. Advices have been received from London containing a full description of the new steamship Moeraki, recently built for the Union Steamship Company for the intercolonial passenger and cargo trade. The Moeraki is built of mild steel, under special survey. Accommodation is provided for 190 first class passengers^ many of the state rooms being situ-fed on « the weather deck, all being well ventilated naturally amd by the assistance of electric fans. The main dining saloon, sit-

j uated at the fore end, is capable of accommodating 112 people. The framing is in oak, richly carved, the filling' being of anaglypta, decorated in ivory and gold. The ceiling is panelled to match. The swinging doors aire filled with leaded glass panel- ; the window boxing is of a " wheel " design, and this feature is maintained throughout. Above the dining saloon is the music room, which is in mahogany, finished with ivory enamel. The panels are filled in with views of Ne?v Zealand, and the upholstery is in rose relief velvet. The dome skylight consists of an outer skylight of teak, glazed with plateglass. Electric lights are fitted between the inner and outer casings, so that the effect of the coloured glass is obtained by day and night. The smoking room is panelled in polished and carved mahogany, with panels of embossed leather and "upholstery of green buffalo hide. The state rooms are fitted in the most modern man-

ner. The beds, which have spring wire mattresses, are arranged to fold up during the day time, so as to increase the floor space. The folding lavatories have numerous drawers for the stowage of passengers' small belongings, while a large locker is provided for bulkier articles. All the first class accommodation is fitted in the middle of the vessel, and the lavatory arrangements are very complete, comprising plunge, shower, site and douche bath_, as well as the ordinary sanitary appliances. The second class passengers are _accommodajfced in large rooms. The dining saloon extends from side to side of the vessel, and is capable of seating 82 persons. The culinary department is fitted with all modern conveniences, and the main pantries are fitted with hot presses and steam boilers for water, coffee, milk, eggs, etc. I'he provisions are kept in a large refrigerating machine, which is also capable of making a supply of ice, and keeping the cargo chamber at a temperature low enough for the safe carriage of perishable goods. The navigating appliances -consist of a* powerful Clarke-Chapman windlass, situated^n the forecastle deck, a steam tiller controlled from the flying bridge by means of Brown's patent telemotor gear, and a warping winch for handling the vessel in dock. The cargo gear consists of hydraulic hoists and derricks. The propelling machinery is being supplied by Messrs Denny and Co., and is of sufficient power to drive the vessel at ai speed of 14 knots at her load draught.

Some of the paper made in Corea is so strong and dense that it is used to cover __.bre.l___