SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 28 August 1901, Page 4

SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

As both of the Kotuku's present masts have been found too short for tho coal trade, they aro to be unshipped and nplaced by longer ones. It is thought that tho Timaru breakwater, if the weather keeps fine, will bo f-o protected within a week as to make it proof against the heaviest seas. A number of shipmasters and others connected with shipping on tho other sidv; have lately been victimised in an impudent mnnner. The way employed has been to apply for a flag for use at a funeral service or for some festivo occassion. A promise is given in each case that the borrowed bunting will be safely returned. Neither the flag nor the borrower, in all instances, has since been seen or heard of, and have therefore been posted "missing."

"Seeing the number of magnificent steamers belonging to various companies trading from Great Britain to Australia, an effort to bring these lines of steamers to our colony is worthy of consideration. It is quite feasible, and could be done at, a reasonable sost.''—says the Treasurer. The sailing ship France has been found at sea a dereliet. No trace could bo discovered of the crew of 3ixty, who are supposed to have taken to the boats thinking the vessel was sinking. Tho France was a Scotch vessel, and her launch eleven 3 ears ago created much interest owing to the fact that she had five masts.

Official returns show that vessels passing through the Suez Canal last year numbered 3,441, of which 1,938 were British. The nee tonnage shows a decrease of 157,177 as compared with 1899, but an increase of almost; half a million tons in 1898. The tonnage of British vessels was less than in 1899 or 1898, while tho t< nnage of German vessels had increased from 909,597 in 1898 to 1,446,391 last year.

The Americans aro now apparently about to try sea-going barges for coalcarrying as rivals to big steamships and sailing crafts, which now serve the trade. They are beginning (says the 'Coal Merchant and Shipper') with the West India coal trade, and the innovation is looked upon with great intorest in shipping circles, as the barges, if -successful, will prove dangerous competitors. The big sea-going tug Cuba, fresh from tho shipyard at Bath, Me., and towing the new barges Cardenas and Matanzas, are to make tbo* first voyage from Philadelphia to the West Indies. These have a cargocarrying capacity of over 13,000 tons.