MATAI IN PORT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26632, 1 December 1947, Page 4

MATAI IN PORT

LIGHTHOUSE TENDER STORES FOR SOUTHERN STATIONS Mistaken by some people for a pleasure yacht in her fresh white paint, the Matai attracted the interest of visitors to the wharves during the week-end. She arrived on Saturday morning and berthed astern of the cruiser Bellona at Birch street wharf. Owned by the New Zealand Government, the Matai is employed as a supply ship to lighthouses roynd the coasts of the Dominion. This is her first cruise to South Island stations since before the war. The return of the vessel to her familar task after the completion of a refit and overhaul at the Devonport naval base in Auckland last month, was generally welcomed. When she was withdrawn from the lighthouse maintenance, rounds, the Marine Department had to service the island lights by small coastal launches and the land stations by road transport. The Matai was built in 1930 and has a gross tonnage of 1050. She is fitted for, oil fuel and has twin screws. On her present voyage she' is taking stores to South Island lighthouses. She &ill sail to-morrow for Bluff, calling at the various stations down the coast.