PACIFIC TRADE

Hokitika Guardian, 16 May 1929, Page 2

PACIFIC TRADE

TWO NEW STEAMERS CONTEMPLATED. WOULD REDUCE TRAVELLING TIME. AUCKLAND, Alny 14. > The building of two new steamers which will reduce the travelling time between San Francisco and Sydney by four days is contemplated by the Matson Steam Navigation Company of San Francisco. The director and operating manager of tlie company. Captain C. W. Saunders, arrived from the Islands by the Tofua to-day. Captain Saunders said that when he left San Francisco two months ago specifications had been completed for two new ships. They were to have a speed of 20 knots, and each would bo of 23,000 tons. It was planned that they should replace the company’s present steamers, the Sonoma, Sierra, and Ventura. They would carry 400 first-class passengers and 400 secondclass travellers. The most important aspect of Lilts' sthenic was that*the now ships would reduce the sailing* timfe between Sair Francisco. :qnd- Sydney, now 19 days,- by four days; .iThe new vessels would hb ready Ifor service in less: than three years. : ' u *!

Discussing the proposed Pacific tour of the eompauy ? H new steamer, the Alnlolo,, Captain Saundort. .said ii would not’he definitely iknown • until June Ist. whether the trip-wouldi be made. The ! American -Express: Company. which had chartered the vessel on behalf of’the San Francisco! Chamber of Commerce, had until that date to notify the company if it was prepared to carry out its contract. This depended entirely on the number of passengers offering. The Malolo would go from San Francisco to Japan and eastern ports, and then come, to Auckland, via Australia. A few ■ days would he spent in Auckland early in December. < Discussing flip, possibility , of the Alatson Company extending jts operations to New Zealand in the. passenger service, Captain Saunders,said the time for that had not yet; come. It was a matter .for tlie future., hut such a proposal was ,not improbable.