THE MARAROA.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18410, 17 June 1925, Page 10

THE MARAROA.

A CHAMBER OP COMMERCE COMPLAINT. (SPECIAI. TO "TOT PBESS."). PUNEDIN, June 16. '' The seamen call her'.' the hummer,"' said a member of the Chamber of Commerce. He was speaking of the ferry steamer Mararoa, and the inference to be drawn was that remark did not apply to the smooth whirring of the engines or anything of that sort. No. The complaint was that there clung to the ship a smell by no means fragrant. In reply to representations' by the Chamber, the Union Steam Ship Co. wrote as to the term of the employment of the Mararoa in the Wellington-Ly ttelton ferry service. Tho length during which the smaller steamer was employed was principally determind by the' diminished winter traffic ami overhaul requirements. This economy was necessary. The steamers engnged in the. service had been lately converted into oil burners, and this improved facility had been made available for the travelling public without an additional rate, though the increasing cost of oil fuel was a factor which might yet have to be considered. Mr D. Phillips: We might ask that the Mararoa be cleaned up a bit. On deck it is cold and miserable, and there is'nowhere'to sit down. Below it is smelly and dirty, and there is much room for improvement. Something should be done in that regard. Mr T. Sorrierville: She is frightfully dirty. Often the bathrooms are awash. You have seen that. Mr Phillips: Yes, and the lavatory accommodation is absolutely shocking. Mr H. C. Campbell said thev should get into touch with "the Christeburch Chamber. > The i chairman remarked that if/-was impossible to have anything done while' the steamer was running. It was decided to inform the Associated Chambers as to tho position, tu express dissatisfaction in regard to the Mararoa, to ask that'she, be cleaned up and to write again to the Union Co. A member: I think the seamen have more power to have her cleaned up than we have. „ It was then that another member said she was called "the hummer."