A NEW SERVICE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17030, 2 May 1923, Page 9

A NEW SERVICE.

FIRST VESSEL ARRIVES. (Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, May 1. The first vessel of the new Chinese line from China to South America, via Australia and New Zealand, has reach- 1 cd Wellington with a small cargo for discharge. The Ling Nan, formerly a German steamer captured by the British Navy, is owned by the Chungwha Navigation Company, whose head office is at Lima. Peru. She is the first Chinese passenger steamer to visit Wellington. Her call here has caused interest in Chinese and European circles. She has a Chinese crew of about 150, but is mainly officered and engineered by Brit ish officers. Captain W. Knagg, R.N'.R.. is in command on her present trip. The Ling Nan sailed from Hong Kong on March 22. She first called at Dutch North Borneo, where the vessel bunkered. She then proceeded to Thursday Island on March 26. Sydney on April 11. Adelaide on April 17 and Melbourne on April 23. At Borneo and Thursday Island a reception was he'd on board, and the principal inhabitants were entertained at a dinner. While the vessel was at Sydney, the officers were given a reception by Eastern merchants. Jt is the intention <Jrf the Chungwha Company to maintain a steamship .service between China and South America, and the Ling Nan is only the first of several steamers which are to be engaged. From Wellington the steamers will proceed to Tahiti. Balboa. Callao (Peru), Rica and Iquique (Chile). The vessels will return to China by the same , route, and the Ling Nan is expected back at Wellington about the middle «if July. The Ling Nan’s cargo for Peru in- : eluded valuable shipments of silk and j tea and a large quantity of grain, the I latter being loaded at Adelaide. I The vessel has been refitted hv the | present owners on a luxurious scale. It I has 135 Chinese passengers to disembark at ports of call, including the next j Chinese Consul for Panama. One j Chinaman disembarked at Wellington. —— ■ " 1 ■—- ■■