Wanganui River Tourist Traffic.

Manawatu Herald, 5 July 1902, Page 3

Wanganui River Tourist Traffic.

A WELL KEPT FLEET.

During the past two months Messrs Hatrick and Co’s, fine Wanganui River fleet have been undergoing the usual winter overhaul in xeadiness for nest summer’s tourist traffic. The large, excursion steamer Manuwai has been entirely re-painted and re-decorated, and she now looks as spick’and span as the day she was launched. The favourite Wairere has been overhauled from stem to stern on the slip. The whole of the original cabin accommodation has been swept away and remodelled; the dining saloon, which was forward, has now been arranged aft on a larger and improved scale, similar to that of the firm’s new greyhound, Waione. The ladies’ cabin is placed under the bridge, instead of aft as formerly, the awning deck accommodation, has hash greatly increased ; in fact, the Wairere has now been made one of, if not the most, comfortable boat on the river. Forward there is a nice clear deck space some forty feet by the whole beam of the boat. As soon as the Wairere comas off the slip the Ohura—-the summer “ maid of all work ” —is to go on for a general overhaul also. As showing what a suitable boat the Ohura is for the summer low-water traffic, it is worthy of mention that when the rivet was at its lowest last summer, she carried at times 150 passengers without difficulty..The large amount of capital Messrs Hatrick and ‘ Co. have put into steamer plant, the splendid way in which they run their boats, the good order in whioh they are kept, and the untiring energy with whioh the business is pushed, deserves success. —Herald.