THE GOVERNMENT STEAMER TUTANEKAI

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 148, 12 March 1918, Page 4

THE GOVERNMENT STEAMER TUTANEKAI

o NOT TO BE USED FOR CABLE WORK. It is understood that the Government steamer Tutanekai, which was built by D. J. Dunlop and Co., of Glasgow, in 1896, nnder the personal supervision of the late Captam'Fairchild, for lighthouse tendering and cable work in New Zealand, is no longer to be used for tho Utter purpose, as she- has been found to be unsuited for the heavier class of cable-laying and repairing work, and and arrangement has been made by the Government with tho Pacific Cable Board for the performance of any cable work that requires the use of a steamer in these waters. As the comparatively little cahle work that lias to he done scarcely requires tho use all tho year round of a steamer, it is understood that tho Tutanekai (which has had a very restful time for some years now) will be banded back by the Post and Telegraph Department to the Marine Department, when she will probably, soonci or later, dispiac? the yacht-like Hinemoa in taking tip the work of I tending the lighthouses and paying periodical visits to the outlying islands belonging to New Zealand. The Hinemoa, which, with the Stella, was built by Scott and Co., of Greonock, in 1876, I for the New Zealand Government, has been in constant work over since, and is said not to bo so staunch a vessel as she was for the rough work in which she is employed, but her wonderful handiness and seaworthiness havo been points in her favour, and she is being" kept in commission until she actually v/ears out with honest hard work.