Territory Trade.

Ships of New Design for Territory Trade.

Coal-Burners to be Laid Up.

THAT the small coal-burning steamers now used in maintaining the New Guinea inter-island services be laid up, and that their places be taken by two oil-burners, now under con struction, was a decision recently ar rived at by the directors of Messrs. W.

R. Carpenter & Co., Ltd.

Two wooden vessels, each of 280 tons, specially designed for the New Guinea inter-islands trade, are now being built at Jervis Bay. in N.S.W., and they will be placed in commission before the end of the year. They will be driven by 200 h.p. Diesel engines, burning crude oil, and will have a speed of between 9 and 10 knots, fully loaded. They will carry a few passengers; but are being specially built for the Islands cargo trade. They will represent a very economical form of transport.

The present and continuing low price of copra has made it impossible for the firm to continue using the expensive coal-burners, which are employed chiefly in collecting copra from the plantations and bringing it to ports of shipment. Under the new system, the inter-islands costs will be less, and

copra will be concentrated at Madang, Kavieng, and Rabaul for shipment.

The new ships are of entirely British construction, and into their design— which, in many respects, is quite new— has gone much anxious thought and practical experience, gained by Messrs.

Carpenter during long years in the Islands trade.

The Rabaul Slip.

The decision to build two new vessels for New Guinea has made more than ever urgent the question of providing a slip in New Guinea, suitable for over hauling the inter-island steamers. At present, the vessels have to be sent to Australia.

Messrs. Carpenter & Co., some months ago, attacked the problem of finding in Rabaul Harbour a suitable spot for a large slip—well sheltered, and with a non-coral bottom. Coral is insecure, as it crushes under a heavy weight. For a time, it seemed that the only solution was to convey large pieces of sheet iron to Rabaul, and lay them on the coral floor, as a base for the slip.

Subsequently, negotiations were en tered upon for the purchase of a suit able site on Vulcan Island, in Rabaul Harbour; and it is understood that these have been successfully con cluded, and that the slip will be finally located there.