UNION S.S. COMPANY'S ENTERPRISE.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1911, 20 November 1913, Page 10

UNION S.S. COMPANY'S ENTERPRISE.

GENERAL-MANAGER'S RETURN IMPORTANT TRADE DEVELOPMENTS, An iii-rival at Auckland by the sail liner Makura on Tuesday was Mr. C. Holdsworth, general manager of the Union Steam Ship Company, who has been on a business and holiday visit to America and Great Britain. Following upon the important developments in the Union Company passenger lines to the Pacific Const, and the inception of the cargo service from Australasia to San Francisco, Mr. Holdsworth's return (says the Auckland ."Star") is of especial interest.- On the .calendar- justiissued from the head office of tho firm; the - steamers Wcstmeath (8096 tons), Roscommon (7381 tons), and liimorick (GSI7 tons) are included for tho first time under the list of vessels comprising the "red ftmnol" fleet. They make up a total of 22,394 tons; and, added to the other steamers of tho fleet, increase the total tonnage to 225,483 tons. It will be remembered that the Tyrone, tho remaining, one' of tho four vessels taken over by tho Union Company from the Federal Company for the Pacific Coast trad?, was wrecked at the entrance to Dunedin Harbour a few weeks -ago. The loss was not borne by tho Union Company, but it has been announced since that the firm has ordered an up-to-date, vessel of the same sfamp to replace the Tyrone. , At present the s.s. Canada Capo is on her way from the American coast with general cargo, and now the tariff reductions ate operating in tho United States the new service will commence almost immediately. Furthermore, it has been stated that two large passenger vessels for tho Union Company are at present under construction at Home. It is- understood that one of these will be practically of the same length and build as tho big mail steamer Niagara-. At present the turbine- steamer Willochra is under charter to tho Union Company from tho Adelaide. Steam Ship Company. The steamer has proved herself an excellent class of vessel for trade requirements, and it seoins probable that, like the Tahiti, she will become tho property of the Union Company when the charter expires. It has been anticipated that the Mahono would have given place to tho Maunganui in the Sydney service ere this, but industrial troubles have apparently interfered with arrangements. The Mahcno is to go to Port Chalmers for an extensive overhaul. The improvements will include now engines.