THE WIMMERA.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 1979, 15 January 1907, Page 3

THE WIMMERA.

A FINE STEAMER. Tlio Ilmldart-Parker Company’s steamer AYimmera leaves Auckland for Gisborne ibis afternoon, having taken tlio place of the Zealandia. which has been placed on tlio Australian coastal trade. Tho AArimnieru is a rakish-looking steamer, with a lofty.'funnel quid two pole masts, and bears a striking resemblance to the company’s wellknown steamer AL'ctoriu. Excepting that her accommodation is even superior to that of the AHctoria, she is generally a counterpart of the latter vessel. Tho dining saloon on the Wimmera is amidships, and will commend itself to tlio travelling public. The apartment may be entered from the promenade deck. Tlio AAriinmera was built at Greenock by tho well-known firm of Cainl and Company, who have constructed over 60 mail steamers for the P. and O. line. Tlio vessels is 335 ft. long, 42 ft. beam, 24 ft. moulded depth. Slie lias accommodation for 164 first saloon passengers, and 75 of a crew. Tlie first saloon dining hall, musioroom, and smoking-room are contained- in three steel houses on tlie promenade deck. Tlio dining hall has seating accommodation for 80 passengers, and is panelled in handcarved oak of floral design, having a stained glass dome over the centre table, the upholstery being of crimson moquotto. Tlie music-room is panelled with liand-carved walnut and oak: upholstered with dark green plush, having a dome over tho central staircase ; the smoking-room is panelled in hand-carved dull oak, and the seatings aro of dull red morocco. The ladies’ boudoir adjoins tho ladies’ sleeping accommodation, and is beautifully furnished and upholstered. All the cabins arc roomy, well lighted, and replete with all tho latest improvements for passenger comfort, whilst the results of the great attention given to ventilation and other sanitary matters are observable everywhere. Retiring rooms, hot aud cold shower and spray baths are fitted, nothing in the way of expenso or effort being wanting to ensure the most complete comfort of travellers. The second saloon accommodation is light and airy, and the cabins large and well furnished. Tho dining saloon is of polished mahogany, and the cushions of crimson liioquetto. Tho wholo of tho vessel’s fittings, furnishings ,and upholstery arc of the highest class ,and in the host of taste, equal to any vessel ever sent from the hands of her builders . The AA’inimera is fitted with water ballast, having a double bottom throughout the whole length of tho ship, ensuring extra safety in case of accident. The engines and boilers aro also of the usual triple type, having cylinders of the following dimensions:—27-}in, 45in, and 72iu respectively, and 48m stroke. Of the boilers, three in number, two are double-ended, and one single-ended, all working at a pressure of ISOlh per square inch above tho atmosphere. The auxiliary machinery is of the latest type, including Linde’s refrigerator for keeping fresh meat for.tlio company, etc., and eight steam winches for the rapid working of cargo, etc. Among tho many notable features on the AArimmera is tlio AVelin system of quadrant davits for clearing the boats. In this patent the old arrangement of swinging davits is done away with, and the new process is so sample and expeditious that during a course of boat drill two inexperienced persons cleared a large lifeboat in under 30 seconds.