S.S. Tofua

To be Replaced by Small Cargo Steamer

THE Union S.S. Company’s Tofua, which has for very many years maintained a regular monthly passen ger service between Auckland, Fiji, Tonga and Samoa, is to be withdrawn from service, following her return to Auckland on April 11.

The Waipahi, a cargo steamer with accommodation for four passengers, will take over the service from the Tofua. She will run to a four-weekly schedule and will leave Auckland for Suva on her first trip on April 16.

The falling away in the passenger traffic between Auckland and the Is lands is, it is understood, the reason for the withdrawal of the Tofua. This is due not only to the present depres sion, which has had a similar effect on all passenger services, but also to the fact that the Matson Line steam ers, since they have been including Auckland as a port of call since last July, have provided a regular three weekly service both ways between Auckland and Suva.

The Aorangi and Niagara also pro vide a four-weekly service between Auckland and Suva, and with the added competition of the Matson steamers the number of passengers travelling by the Tofua has fallen away to such an extent that the Union Company has now decided to withdraw her and substitute a cargo steamer.

The Tofua, which is a vessel of 4,345 tons gross, was specially built in 1908 for the round trip of the Islands, and except during the war, when she was used as a troopship, she has been en gaged in the service ever since she was built.

The Union Company first entered the trade in the South and Western Paci fic in 1881, and the service was com menced from Australia in 1883. Later the Australian connection was dropped owing to the falling away in the traf fic. Two other well known vessels for merly engaged in the Islands trade were the Talune and the Navua.