SHIPPING.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16142, 21 February 1918, Page 5

SHIPPING.

There -is evidently goings to be a big trade in the future between Dunedin and southern ports, judging by th«- number -of vcsssla. which, will shortly' -be employed in these waters (says Tuesday's Dunedin otar"). Tha Kotare is the only steamer at present engaged in this' trade regularly, although much larger vessels make a trip occasionally between Dunedin and .Bluff. Hqwever, Dunedin shipping firms arc of the opinion that the" trade. between this port and" Bluff ig a lucrative one, and with this object in view a local syndicate recently sent a representative to Auckland to inspect the auxiliary schooner May Howard, which had been laid up at the northern port for many months past. The inspection proving to be satisfactory, this vessel was purchased, and will come to Dunedin shortly to enter the Dune-din-Bluff cargo trade. The JJary Howard, however, is to havo a competitor. The auxiliary schooner Dolly Vardcn, which has been laid up at xsluff for some time, will also enter tho Dunedin-BluS-Timaru-Oamaru trade very 'shortly. This vessel was formerly engaged in the Bluff fidiing industry. She is at present being reiiltp<l at Bluff, and will probably arrive here in a few dayn. Tho Dolly Varaen i.i an auxiliary &cliconr.r of 29 tons gros3 rogistei'. and will carry about SO tons o: cargo. She w;ts bui.'t at Slangonui, Xew [ Zealand, in 3872 for tho Port Pegasus Fishing Company, Ltd., and is of tho following dimensions:—Length s£ft Ci:i, breadth I.sft Jin, and depth Git. C"pt:iin d'Oridant, who I :s -part-owner cf the vcu-el. n'ill be in command. I

' PORT OF LYTTELTON. ABRlVED—February 20. Mararoa (9.45 a.m.), from Wellington. SAlliED—February 20. ilarftroa (6.35 p.m.), for "Wellington. SHIPPING NOTES. Mr D. S. McGrcgor, chief officer of the Kittawa, has signed off the vessel's articloa. Mr AV. Harms has joined the Te Anau a3 third officer. Tlio ferry Bteamer Mararoa is to go into dock at Lyttelton on Monday for cleaning and painting. The Karu is expected to arrive at this port on Monday with a cargo of timber from Nydia Bay. The Kaiiika is due here to-day from Greymouth with coal and timber. The To Anau is also due at Lyttelton to-day. She is bringing a full load of sheep from N&pier. The New Zealand Refrigerating Company's steamer Tainui broke her tail shaft outside Wanganui Heads last Friday. The vessel was towed into Wanganui by tlia Man a, which was despatched to her assistance, 'jctm Tainui will probably be towed to cither Wellington or iLyttclton to have repairs effected. The Hinemoa, which left for the Cooli Strait lighthouses on Tuesday morning, will effect the following changes of lighthouse* men: —Principal Keeper Hart will transfer from Somes Island to Cape PaHisor lighthouse, in place of Principal Keeper McLeish, who move to the Puysegur Point lighthoused Ho will succeed Principal Keeper Pearce, who will transfer to Somog Island.

" J PROM AUSTRAI/LA.

1 The following passengers have arrived in 2Cew Zealand from Australia-:—Saloon: Misses Benson, Sorrell, Mahoney, Partnian, Keirman, Myers, Hearne, Puller, Carmine, Sister Colette, H&yinan, Mesdemes Collins, Porter, Hutchinson, Hankin, Perry, Testro, Lee, Myers, Lipson and threo children, Moore, Freeman, Duncan, Robinson, Graham, Vine, Beeves and infant, Rev. Sinclair, Messrs Arthur, Fraser, Hayward, Liickie, Woods, Cossan, Grainger, Hutchinson, Brown, Hankin, Evcritt, Riley, Keid, Oglo, Testro, Lee, Hobday, Lipson, Barling, Hell, "Wilson, Lyons, Alexander (2),- Tims, Hanson, Graham, Nichol, Vine,' le K.ioat, Donaldson, McGuinness, Neville, Mahoney, Master Donovan, and 32 steerag«.

DEATH OF CAPTAIN THOMS.

The death occurred at Wanganui on Sunday evening of Captain Stephen Thorns, of the coastal steamer Huia, after only a brief illness. Recently Captain Thorns had been euff»ring from a growth.on his head that required surgical treatment on his arrival at "Wanganui early last week. Captain Thorns loft his vessel, and went into the local hospital, where the operation was performed. Ho appeared to be making favourable progress until the week-end, when he collapsed and died. The deceased leaves a son and daughter, but his wife predeceased him a couple of years ago.

SOUTHERN" COASTAL TRADE.

It is understood that another DuneJin shipping firm arc at pr.:r,?r.t negotiating for the purchase cf a. inosl serviceable coasta! steamer in the north for the Dunedm tra-do, and are also, it i, understood, now bo in 3 earned on for the purchase or etill another vessel of 78 tons gross register for the southern tiade.