"Matua's" Record Voyage
p. 41 · Read in the full issue
117JHEN the Union Steamship Go’s TT motor - vessel “Matua” returned to Auckland on December 3, she had completed the round trip, Auckland- Suva - Nukualofa - Vavau - Apia - Suva - Auckland in one day under schedule —l9 days for the round trip. She had also clipped an hour off her previous record between Suva and Auckland, completing that part of the journey in 71 hours.
Her master. Captain A. R. Russell, said that the good time had been made pos sible by almost uniformly good weather throughout the trip, and also by fast handling of cargo in island ports.
It is interesting to note that the “Matua” usually takes only about three weeks on her 4,000 miles run around the South Pacific groups she serves, but at least two weeks for the turn-around in Auckland.
The “Montoro” on the New Guinea run takes anything up to 7 weeks for her run of between five and six thousand miles. And anything up to four weeks for her tum-around in Sydney.
I A mining “pre-prospection” survey is to be made in New Caledonia. The scheme Provides for a maximum expenditure of 2,000,000 French francs (835,000 Caledo nian francs). Provision is being made for the employment of white technicians and native employees.