NEW SHIPPING COY

Hokitika Guardian, 13 April 1928, Page 1

NEW SHIPPING COY

ENTERS N.Z. TRADE. J3y Telegraph—Press Assn., Copyright. WELLINGTON, April 12. There is foreshadowed the entry into the Now Zealand trade of a wealthy American shipping company b.v the fact that the Matson Navigation Company lias purchased from the United States Shipping Board the steamers operated hy the American Australian Orient Line. Those ships, whose names begin with the prefix “West,” are well known in Dominion ports, to which they have been trading for several years. Among them are the West Conob 5635 tons (at present at Wellington). West Nivaria, West Islop. West Eleajon, West Hcnshaw. West Honakcr and West Ivan. The ships will lie taken over hy the Matson Line this month, and will he renamed. Their names will all have the prefix “Golden.” the West Conob being renamed the Golden Eagle on her return to America.

Until recently the Matson Navigation Company operated almost solely between San Francisco and Honolulu, with a fleet of fast passenger liners, including several turbine ships of 10,000 tons. The most recent addition to the fleet is the Malolo. an oilburning turbine steamer of 21.000 tons register, and 20 knots speed, said to fie the finest and most elaborately fitted passenger steamer in the Pacific. Last year the Matson Company entered into the Southern Pacific trade by hiiying out the Sprockets Line (Oceanic Steamship Coy) of San Francisco. whose steamers Sierra. Sonoma, and Ventura run in the American mail and passenger service between San Francisco, Honolulu, Pago Pago (American Samoa) and Sydney. These steamers now run under the Matson llag and management. It has been rumoured that the Matson Navigation Company intend to replace them by larger and up to date steamers. With regard to the “West” cargo steamers, it is understood that their personnel and running schedules will not he changed when they go under the Matson Line management. They usually load motor sidrit. general cargo and timber at San Francisco and Los Angeles or San Pedro for Auckland. Wellington. Lyttelton and Dunedin, and occasionallv out ports of the Dominion. Those in the Australian trade load at Sail Francisco, New Orleans. or New York, for the main ports, returning via Manila and Hong Kong.