LINER FROM AUSTRALIA.

Taranaki Daily News, 20 October 1921, Page 4

LINER FROM AUSTRALIA.

ARRIVAL AT NEW PLYMOUTH. PREVENTING RATS COMING ASHORE. The liner Essex, from Newcastle, the first vessel to arrive at New Plymouth direct from Australia since the outbreak of plague in Queensland, dropped anchor off the port at four o’clock yesterday afternoon. She was boarded by the harbormaster (Captain Waller) and the port health officer (Dr. Wade), who, after a thorough examination, declared the Essex “a clean ship”. The vessel had been twice fumigated in Australia prior to sailing for New Plymouth, and during the voyage no rats were either seen or caught. It was intended to berth the Essex last evening, but on ascertaining that her draught was 24 feet Captain Waller decided, as it was low* spring tide, to anchor the vessel during the night and berth her at about 8 o’clock this morning. While the liner is in port special precautions wilfe be taken to prevent rats coming ashore. She will not leave the wharf during the night, as has been done with Australian steaniers in other ports, but discs will be placed on all her moorings, and her side will be illuminated all night. The Essex, a vessel of 8722 tons gross register, bad an uneventful voyage across from Newcastle, with no sickness or incident of note. She is commanded by Captain Hughes, and comes to New Plymouth under the auspices of the New Zealand Shipping Company (U.S.S. Company agents) to load for the United Kingdom. Her cargo from this port will consist of 29,400 carcases of meat, 220 bales of wool, 800 cases of preserved meat, and 100 casks of tallow.

Included in the liner’s complement are about 30 apprentices.