CANTERBURY S.S. Co.’s ENTERPRISE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 2687, 26 January 1924, Page 3

CANTERBURY S.S. Co.’s ENTERPRISE.

NEW STEAMER FOR FOXTON TRADE. SPECIALLY DESIGNED OIL BURNER.

About two years ago the representatives of the Canterbury Shipping Co. visited Eoxton in connection with a proposal to run a steamer in the Foxton and southern ports trade. Other shipping firms about the same time were also making investigation in this matter —principally at the request of the Foxton Chamber of Commerce and Foxton Harbour Board. These investigations by coastal shippers were accelerated by the proposal of an Invercargill firm to purchase a steamer for Foxton and southern ports, provided a fair proportion of share capital was taken up in the Manawatn —but neither Man aw atu capital nor steamer materialised. An attempt was made to float a company with Manawatn capital to purchase a. suitable steamer for the ’port to be locally controlled. Meetings were held but capita] was again shy and so this project also fell through. The s.s. Kennedy (since the wreck of the s.s. Queen of the South) has kept the port going—sometimes at considerable risk and loss to the owners. Of late, lioavever. with an improved bar, this vessel has run fairly regularly between Foxton, Wellington and Lyttelton. At the latter port there is far more freight offering than this vessel is able to cope with. We are informed sufficient freight is offering between Lyttelton and Foxton to keep one vessel running regularly. This, of course, does not apply to hack freights. But- with ample water on the bar and expeditious unloading, back freights need not be taken seriously. The Canterbury Co., when previously approached to place a steamer on this run. said, in effect, “guarantee ns Oft. of water on the bar and wo will provide the steamer.” If the bar keeps as at present. there need he no fear in connection with ample water. Another point Avliich must not be is the advantages to the port which will obtain Avhen (lie proposed “cuts” are put- in. These “cuts” will, in the opinion of experts, have the effect of scouring the bar and deepening the channel for shipping. The Canterbury Steam Shipping Co.’s new vessel for the port trade is a specially designed 300-ton oilburning steamer and is to commence trading between Foxton and southern ports about the end of the present year. The difficulty in the past has been to secure a boat of sufficiently low draught to. negotiate the river at all tides, and Avhicli would yet have cargo capacity sufficient to ensure profitable running. The new vessel’s 300 ton dead weiglit (coal) would mean a capacity of 400 tons general. Air C. F. Millward, of the Wanganui firm mentioned, and Captain Munro, marine superintendent of the Canterbury Steam Shipping Company Ltd., Avere in Palmerston North on Thursday, and are expected to visit Foxton at an early date. An increase in shipping to the port Avill be beneficial to all concerned in the port.