THE RED FUNNEL FLEET.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXXVI, Issue 13335, 25 March 1911, Page 7

THE RED FUNNEL FLEET.

TO BE KEPT UP TO THE MARK. According to “Fairplay,” tho English shipping journal. Sir James Mills, K.O. M.G., made the following interesting statement at the annual meeting of the Union Company: “While on the subject of building, I may say that as it will be necessary for us at an early date to proceed with further building operations in order to replace some of the older steamers which ire- still employed on our main lines, we are watching with interest various important experiments now going on, which g:ve promise of great advances in connection with the propulsion of steamers. The question of oil burning is a very interesting one, and there can Ire no doubt about the great advantage of using it instead coal for the production of steam. This is fully recognised on tho West Coast if America, where all . steamers trad’hg m the coast and to the Hawaiian Islands —and even for the long voyage round the Horn—are equipped for oil burning. It has also been adopted by tho principal railroad companies having their headquarters in San Francisco. It is, however, a question of price. On the Pacific Coast ail is very cheap, while coal is dear. Here the position is reversed. I do not mean that coal is cheap with us, but it is much cheaper than i.n the Pacific Coast, whereas oil would have to be imported, and the cost would be considerable. I hope, however, the day is not far distant when New Zealand oil fields will be- able to supply oil at a reasonable price and in sufficient quantities to justify its adoption to our .steamers. Then, again, there arc developments going on in connection with marine engines in the shape of a combination of reciprocating and turbine engines, from which satisfactory results are likely to be achieved. Interesting experiments are also being made both in England and in Germany in connection with Internal combustion engines. All these we are watching with great interest, as the directors are anxious that this company should not be behindhand in availing of any developments which will lead to improvement in our ships and the increased efficiency of nir services.”