Trippers

Still M.O.F.

For Suva-Auckland Trippers

Prom a Special Correspondent

Auckland, May 26.

rE demand for steamship passages from Auckland to Fiji, Tonga, the Cook Islands and Samoa is not showing any signs of abating.

It was believed that several south-bound sailings of American liners from Suva, plus an irregular flying-boat service be tween Suva and Sydney, run by Qantas Empire Airways, would relieve the situa tion somewhat, but this appears not to be the case. The Union Company’s “Matua” is still carrying over 100 passengers per trip instead of the 48 passengers which the ship was built to carry—and at pre sent there is a “Matua” waiting list of 250 people in Auckland.

The demand, for passages from Suva to Auckland is far in excess of the number of berths available, also. Both going and coming from Suva, many passengers find that they must sleep on mattresses on the cabin floors, and count themselves fortu nate to be able to travel at all.

The situation is not expected to im prove for some time. The Matson liners are to be withdrawn for reconditioning shortly, and the pressure on the “Matua” will consequently be increased.

The Government announced recently that it hoped to replace the antique “Maui Pomare,” which services the Cook Group, with a ship twice as large.

Island travellers, however, are recom mended to keep their hats on until they actually see the new vessel.

Overseas shipyards are working to capacity; and few shipping companies, at present, could be persuaded to part with even their oldest ship. It will probably be well into 1947 before any appreciable eas ing is noticed in the South Pacific ship ping situation.