OIL-BURNTNG STEAMERS.

Hokitika Guardian, 8 January 1920, Page 3

OIL-BURNTNG STEAMERS.

CONVERSION OF UNION CO.’S STEAMERS. DUNEDIN, Jan 6. Ihe continual long trips being made by the turbine steamer Maori in the Wei lington-Lyttelton ferry service, owing, it is stated, to the poor quality of bunker coal now being supplied, has had the effect of bringing the oil-driven ship into much more prominence. It has been suggested ip many quarters that the

time has arrived when the steamers engaged in thei ferry serviefe should be converted into oil-burning ships. The cost of carrying out such alterations would be heavy, but this would be compensated for by less expense in the use of oil fuel, in the manning of the ship, and by the ships maintaining a schedule time-table. In this connexion one has only to compare the trips made bv the mail steamers Niagara- and Makura in the Vancouver service. The former vessel using oil, can he relied upon to rfcach the ports of call on time, while thf, Makura, using coal rfs fuel, i« often late on both tbp iaward aud oiifwari] voyages.

It is undersfod that, in addition to the Maunganui -and Marama, which are having aiLburning furnaces fitted at Port Chalmers, the Makura is to be converted into an oil-burning vessel early this year. Although no statement has yet been, made by the Union Company on the subject, it is understood

that the refitting made necessary by such a change will be carried out at l’ort Chalmers, but as the Makura is scheduled to continue her present run until February, the alteration is not expected to be made until about March. It is understood that the Manganiii will replace the Makura on the Sydney-Aucld.aiul-Y'nneoimir nip for the two or three months while the latter vessel will he oilt of commission. The Niagara now takes in oil at Honolulu, and it is presumed that the Makura, when converted will do likewise.

It, is also stated that in the near future the Tahiti will be converted into an oil-consuming vessel. The work of reconditioning and converting the Marama and Maunganui has been.considerably delayed, owing to a shortage of suitable labour, and it will be some time vet before either vessel will be ready for sea.