THE VAN REES

Evening Post, Volume CXXIII, Issue 131, 4 June 1937, Page 11

THE VAN REES

SECOND K«P.M.' STEAMER

Second vessel in the South Pacific Line's new direct, monthly, service between New Zealand, the Netherland« Indies, British Malaya, and Saigon, the Dutch steamer Van Rees arrived ift Wellington Harbour this morning. The Van Rees had a pleasant voyage from Singapore, but -last night she struck heavy weather off the coast. ■ The Van Rees is maintaining the seix vice in the meantime with the Maetjsuycker, which, was. the first ship mi the service, but, unlike the Maetsuycker, the Van Rees- on' this trip is making Wellington her , first port of, call' in New Zealand, proceeding thencei to Auckland, Sydney, Port Moresby, and the Netherlands East Indies. • The ! number of calls she will make at this port will probably be limited, as,she is shortly to be replaced by a morfl modern vessel, probably; the. Tasman, of 4978 tons, built in 1921. An unusual feature, of the Van-Bees, not seen on other steamers which visit this port, are the large boats, like whaleboats, which are carried in addition .to the regular lifeboats. In many; 6f the potts in.the Netherlands, Easfc Indies .at which'the. Van ,Rees Icalls in! the course of her voyages, there are no facilities for handling cargo/and very;, often no wharves at .which, a vessel cart tig, up. Consequently,. the goods, ars taken to and from shore in.,the. boats, a powerful motor launch, being used: to tow them if necessary. The Van! IjSees carries, her. own coolies. Below the main deck ,is-a sheltec deck on which, native passengers are! carried in large numbers. Large scuttles in the ship's.side are left open; in fine weather to provide ventilation, but these are shut in heavy seas. On! the same deck, more towards the stern, are 25 permanent horse stalls, in which! are carried animals from Australia destined for race meetings at Batavia ot, for use by the Dutch military units. The number of stall's can be increased, and over 50 horses can be1 carried it necessary. ' :