THE FERRY SERVICE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 196, 8 January 1913, Page 5

THE FERRY SERVICE.

THE MAORI STILL HELD UP. By Telegraph—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. The Wellington-Lyttelton ferry service resumed this evening with the sailing of tlie Mokoia at 5.15 p.m., with 430 passengers, and the Mararoa at eight o'clock with .*)()"> passengers. It it understood that the Union S.S. Company to-day gave the balance of the Maori's crew twenty-four hours 'notice that they will be paid-off: There' is believed to tie a 'probability that by to-morrow evening the Maori will be remanned and take up her running.

A \VELL-lIAXDLED RUSH. 1 Christchurch, Last Night. The commissioning of the Talune to take up the running between Lyttelton and Wellington'necessitated very strenuous efforts on the part of the ship's company and the Union Company's Shore staff. The Talune was undergoing survey and overhaul, and these were hurried on, only the necessary work below the water line being done. The vessel had been denuded practically of all her cabin bedding and of her crockery and cutlery at Auckland, consequently bales of new blankets and sheets, pillowslips, and stick like had to be ordered from Christchurch. whose available stocks proved barely sufficient to meet such a sudden demand. Full supplies of crockery and cutlery were obtained in Lyttelton and Christchurch. Most of the TAlune's stewards were paid off in Auckland. as it was not anticipated that the ship's services would be required till she returned to that port. Very few men were available at Lyttelton, as several vessels had been signing on new crews, but there were sufficient volunteers to fill the Talune's vacancies. The problem of obtaining a stewardess was solved by the engagement of a Lyttelto* lady, who for many years acted in that capacity on one of the Union Company's steamers. Everything was in readiness for the steamer to leave on arrival of the 7.40 train. Extra sleeping accommodation was made up between decks, and in order to comply with the Marine Department's requirements an extra lifeboat was shipped from the collier Kamona. Mr. P. Caffin. formerly well-known a- purser in the Union Company's Island and San Francisco steamers. and now clerk in the Christchurch office, was engaged at short notice as purser, and had a busy time handling (he large number of passengers. As the accommodation was limited preference was u'iveil fo those who had booked by the Tiilnne or Maori. Practically every person desiring to travel got. on board.