GOVERNMENT STEAMER

Hokitika Guardian, 14 October 1930, Page 6

GOVERNMENT STEAMER

AN UP-TO-DATE VESSEL.

(By Telegraph—Per Press Association.;

WELLINGTON, October 13

The, new Government lighthouse steamer and Vice regal yacht Matai, which berthed at Wellington to-day, ha s rather unusual lines, being rigged as a two-masted fore and aft schooner, witli a clipper stem and a cruiser stern. Her single funnel is painted yellow. Otherwise she is all white and it is probably that she will not he altered in that respect.

Except for a slight blow in the English Channel the Matai had a good trip out to New Zealand. Her officers could not speak too highly of the sea going qualities of the ship. Under any they said, she rode seas beautifully, and she shipped no water during the voyage. About the only respect she had) yet to be tried in, is how she will fare with following seas. The Matai burnt fuel oil on the voyage out, and it is probable that she will continue to do so, although provision is made for her to use coal if desired. On the voyage she used on the average of 6.9 ton s of fuel per day., and the average distance, that she covered daily was 210 sea miles. On her best day’s run she logged 151 miles, and on the lowest 147 miles. The voyage was covered at an average speed of 8.89 knots,. ,hut the. ship was not pressed, and she steamed at a little more than half speed. It was stated on hoard that the Government officials will probably be agreeable surprised when the Matai steams “all out” when a. speed of about 14 knots can be expected. She was designed for a speed of 1H knots which is reported to have been slightly increased on her trials.

The Matai was brought out by Captain C. Manning. Among the ship’s appurtenances are a wireless direction finder, and an echo depth sounding apparatus, which is believed to be the only one of its type at present installed in a ship. The life-saving appliances are right up-to-date, and, in addition to surf boats, a fast motor launch is carried. There are special derricks, both for dealing with buoys and for handling the ship’s boats. The fate of the Tutanekai, which the Matai is replacing, is uncertain, hut it is scarcely probable (that she will see any more active service.