IN RECORD TIME

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 605, 6 March 1929, Page 1

IN RECORD TIME

MATAROA’S FINE RUN 31 DAYS FROM ENGLAND By arriving at Auckland last night from Southampton in less than 31 days, the Shaw, Savill and Albion Company’s liner Mataroa established a new record for average speed between England and New Zealand. The average speed between Southampton and Auckland was 15.2 knots, and the steaming time was 30 days 17 hours and 28 minutes. The previous record for the Eng-land-New Zealand voyage was made by the Mataroa’s sister ship Tamaroa, on its last trip to the Dominion after readjustments to her machinery. The Tamaroa left Southampton on November 9 and arrived at Wellington on December 11, a trip of 31 days, allowing for the crossing of the Date Line. Southampton was left on February 1 by the Mataroa and, taking into consideration the crossing of the Date Line, the trip was made in 31 days.

But the Mataroa is certain of establishing the record for average speed, although the time of the trip was similar to that to the credit of the Tamaroa.

This morning, Captain W. A. R. Kershaw and his officers were well pleased with the Mataroa’s run. Especially so as the vessel encountered heavy south-west weather for three days after leaving England. Across the Atlantic, a quick passage of 12 days 21 hours was made. On an average, 363 miles were covered in a day to Colon and the speed was 15.13 knots.

Repair work at the docks at Panama delayed the vessel and over a day was taken in clearing the canal. Fine weather was experienced across the Pacific and Auckland was reached at 9.48 o’clock last night. From Panama, the run occupied 17 days 20 hours 20 minutes. The daily mileage averaged 365.6, and the average speed was 15.24 knots an hour. Both the Tamaroa and the Mataroa are oil-burners of 12,500 tons. Since they were transferred from the Aber-

; deen Line to the New Zealand service i they have made consistently fast trips. Apart from the bad weather at the opening of the voyage, the Mataroa’s voyage was pleasant. A remarkable feature was that the ancient nautical belief that bud luck i comes when a vessel leaves on a j Friday was dispelled. The Mataroa : left on a Friday and the members of | the crew were not concerned in the sligh test. This morning, they were jubilant. I Commander Kershaw was being j congratulated by the passengers on the excellent run. -