SHIPPING.

Taranaki Daily News, 3 December 1915, Page 2

SHIPPING.

PORT OF NEW PLYMOUTH. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 3, 1915, PHASES OF THE MOON. DECEMBER. 7 —New moon, 5.40 a.m. Hi—First quarter, 11.15 p.m. 22—Full moon, 0.29 a.m. 30 —Last quarter, 0.35 a.m. THE TIDES. High water to-day at 5.32 a.m. and C.lO p.m.; to-morrow, 0.47 a.m. and 7.32 p.m. THE SUN. The sun rises to-day at 4.40 a.m. and sets-at 7.20 p.m.; to-morrow, 4.30 a.m. and 7.21 p.m. EXPECTED ARRIVALS. Rarawa, from North, to-day. Storm, from Westport, to-day. Rarawa, from North, Tuesday. . TELEGRAPHIC. ARRIVED. Port Ahuriri, Dee. I.—At 11 p.m., Waipori, from Newcastle. Port Chalmers, Dec. 2.—At 0.35 p.m., Westralia, from Melbourne. Melbourne, Dec. 2.—Wimmern, from Bluff. SAILED. Newcastle, Dec. 2. —Ihumata, for New Zealand. Westport, Dee. 2.—At 5 a.m., Storm, for New Plymouth. Onehunga, Dee. 2.—At 5 p.m., Rarawa, for New Plymouth. Sydney, Dec. 2.—At 1.30, Ulimaroa, At 3.3o,"*Riverina. NOTES. Captain Holm, of the Japanese steamer Kwanto Maru, which was at LyHelton lately, gives an interesting story of the origin of the word ''Maru,'' so generally applied to ships of Japan. "In a sense," said Captain Holm, "the word 'maru' as applied to vessels means nothing in particular. There is, however, a beautiful little story, a sort of legend, from which, a Japanese professor told me, originated the name 'Maru' for ships. Once upon a time, he said, the Sun and Moon got married, and they had a baby in heaven, or wherever it was. This child fell down on to the earth, and landed on a lotus flower. He was picked up, and went on growing and became a big warrior, who came across in a vcbsel called 'Maru' and conquered Japan. Subsequently, about 5000 years ago, or something like that, lie became Emperor of Japan. Since that time every vessel (fishing boat, steamer, or whatever it may be) has been called •'Maru.' That," added Captain Holm, "is how the riame 'Maru' came into existence." The oil steamer Physa left Dunedin on Friday last for Westport, where she will load for Singapore. On arrival at the Eastern port the Physa will probably load 1 another cargo of case oil for New Zealand.

It is reported that the Federal-Shire liner Devon will leave Liverpool for Australian ports 011 December 24. The Devon is one of the four new vessels, orders for which were placed nearly two years ago. The quartet have all" been specially designed for the United King-dom-Australian-New Zealand trade, and, while the hulls were built abroad, the engines were constructed and installed in England. The Devon and her sister vessels are essentially cargo-carriers, with extensive refrigerating spaee, and will possess a high rate of speed. The Devon was being constructed at Dunkirk during the bombardment of that city by the Germans. Subsequently she was towed from that port to London, where her construction was completed.

Advice received in Australia states •that the C. and D. liner Niwarn, which left Wellington for London, via New Zealand and Australian ports, 011 August 20, reached her destination 011 November 22. Among the latest charters announced is that of the four-masted barque Golden Gate, formerly known as the Lord Shaftesbury, which has been fixed to load at San Francisco for New Zealand. The Golden Gate is a fine steel vessel of some 2341 tons built in 1888 by the Whitehaven Shipbuilding Company. She is 293 ft. long, 42ft. in beam, and 24ft. in depth, and is a British vessel, being owned by a well-known Liverpool shipping firm. The old Nelson lighthouse situated on the Boulder Bank, which has done good service for many years, is shortly to be replaced by an up-to-date automatic acetone acetylene lamp, of at similar pattern to the Karori Rock light, but less powerful. It will show a flush light every two seconds, and .should be visible at a distance of about 13 miles. It is anticipated that the light will show for the first time on December 5. No keepers will, of course, be required any longer, and the men at present stationed at Nelson will be transferred elsewhere.