Alterations to the Huia.

Manawatu Herald, 25 July 1899, Page 3

Alterations to the Huia.

The well known steamer Huia. which has now been trading out of this port since 1879, nas been laid up for extensive alterations, which Will necessitate her being withdrawn from active serrca fov some two months The insolation in the fon ■ hold and the freezing machinery are dispensed with altogether, as there is not sufficient inducement for their retention. Daring the pist eigh 1 years the owners oi the Huia have rendered Wanganui signal service in the transfer of frozen meat to the big cargo steamers in the roadstead. But since the moat company at Caßtlecliff has obtained a steamer of its own the Huia's occupation in that direction is gone. And as the space occupied by the insulation is urgently needed for the carriage of general cargo, the alterations already referred to have been decided upon. Hitherto the Huia, when loaded, carried 70 tons on a draught of nearly 9ft ; in the future shs i expected to ba able to carry 120 tons on a 7ft draught. To attain thi9 desirable object the engines are to be moved forward 14 feet. This will entail the dfcmaniling of nearly the whole of the vessel, and the re construction of the saloon and cabins amidships. Where the captain's cabin now sfands right afc an underdeck cabin for ladie3 U to be constructed pimilar to the one that existed before the after hold wa<? in sulafcpd. The masts and funnel will be lifted out tr-dny by one ot lhe hycraulic crane?. It mty be in tere3ting to state that the cost cf insulating the Huia (including th< fret zing machinery) was £1500. The present alterations are expected to rnu into about £750.— Times,