THE RED FUNNEL LINE.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 926, 20 September 1910, Page 6

THE RED FUNNEL LINE.

REPLY TO CRITICISM. v Tho local manager for the Union Steam Ship Company, at: Auckland, Mr. A, B. J. Irvine, -was interviewed by a "Herald" representative on Friday.' regarding, tho criticism which has-been passed by the Auckland Chamber of Commerce with reference to: the running of the s.s. Mour.v from Auckland to Fiji, to make the Vancouver connection, and tho class.of vessel maintained by..the company on the East Coast trad©, and more particularly in and out'of Auckland. . ■ , The tenor of Mr. Irvine's reply, (states the "New-Zealand 1 Herald") was as follows:—Regarding the Moura, he explained that this vessel was being run. temporarily in the Fiji trade during tho slack season, when the passenger traffic did not warrant the. running of a more expensive steamer. The bookings for the Moura up to date for her next trip from Auckland to Fiji ; were 17 saloon and three steerage. " Deferring to the. remarks, of Mr, J.H. Gunson, president of the Chamber of Commerce, on the'vessels maintained by tho company on the East Coast trade, Mr.Irvine pointed out that if the Maori or a. vessel of that type, which Mr.,Gunson desired, wore run, from Auckland to Wei-' liiigton,,tho passenger traffic would not be sufficient to pay for her coal. : So far u3 the East Coast passenger traffic was concerned, the company catered for that by putting on tho Monowai, which left on alternate Tuesdays. The Tarawora and the Hauroto, which left on alternate Saturdays, wero regarded moro as cargo than passenger steamers. The coastal passenger traffic' had: been very ;seriously cut into by tho opening up of the Main Trunk lino, with its. various connections. The number of passengers hooked for the Hauroto, which left for the south, on. Saturday, wero eight saloon and six stecrngo. For a passenger service, these figures did not warrant the putting ou of vessels even of the Hauroto class.