TO SYDNEY IN 2½ DAYS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 57, 28 July 1914, Page 6

TO SYDNEY IN 2½ DAYS.

"EXPRESS" STEAMER SERVICE. RED FUNNEL FLIERS TO CROSS THE TASMAN SEA. AT SPEED OF 22 KNOTS. ~ Christchurcli. JuK- -23 *or some time past, it is understood, tl e directorate of the Union Steamship C mpany Hat, had under consideration the establishment of an "express" nuiii and passenger services between Wellington and Sydney. Tilie new service would be on tne same lines as the Wol-ington-Lyttelton ferry service, with Wellington and Sydney as the terminal ports. Although no official intimation bus been made by the directorate of the Union Company in regard to the establishment of a Welliington-SyUncv ferry service it is understood (says tie 1 ress) that there is every prospect of such a service; being started in the near future. It is staled that ,the Union Company's plans provide for two large and powerful steameTs of from 12,(Ni1) to 19,000 tons register, capable of mak'iug the 1240 mile journey between Wellington and Sydney in <io hours. lhe steamers will be of sufficiently high power to maintain a speed'' service of 22 knots and more if required. * hey will probably be propelled bv geared turbines and will be litted for burning oil fuel. The Union Company intends to establish oi' feci depots in Sydney in tlhe near future.

Tile probable schedule of the "express" steamer., wrl be sixty hours on the passage across the Tasnian Sea, with thirty--ix hours' stay in Sydney and twelve hours in Wellington. T!ie steamers will he almost purely mail and passeugei vessels, carrying vevv little cargo. Prevision for the conveyance of cargo 'between the two ports would be made by cargo steamers, and an "intermediate" service, will form iiie < < nncction with Lyttelton. Dunedm, Bluff. Tlobart,. and Melbourne. 1 he "express"' service will, of course, enlai. enormous expense in the running ol two large high-powered 'steamer*, and it is probable that the New Zealand ami Commonwealth Governments, may be asked to subsidise the service.