TO BE WITHDRAWN

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1062, 28 August 1930, Page 8

TO BE WITHDRAWN

MOERAKI TO MAKE LAST RUN NEW CARGO SERVICE Because of tlie rapid decline in the Sydney-Fiji passenger service, which for many years has been conducted by the Australian Union Steam Navigation Company, it is to be abandoned and replaced by a regular cargo service.

The Australian Company’s steamer Suva was withdrawn in June, 1925, and she was replaced by the Moeraki. When the Moeraki arrives at Sydney from Fiji on September 29 she also will be withdrawn. Afterward the Union Company will run a monthly cargo service from Australia. The ports of call will be Sydney, Lautoka, Suva, Levuka, Auckland, Newcastle, then back to Sydney. The Karetu will be the first steamer to, make the new run, which is scheduled to commence on October 2. The Moeraki, after withdrawal fVom the service, will, in all probability, be utilised in relieving the intercolonial service.

She is a sister ship to the Manuka, which was wrecked at Long Point last December. Both vessels were built at Dumbarton, Scotland, the Moeraki in 1902 and the Manuka a year later. The Moeraki’s gross tonnage is 4,421. The Moeraki has been mostly engaged in the intercolonial service between Australia and Wellington and South Island ports. She has visited Auckland a number of times when she was relieving in the Sydney service in 1919, 1922 and 1925. Her last visit to this port was when she was undergoing overhaul last October.