The s.s. “Turakina,” of the New Zealand Shipping Company's Line, was built in the yards of Messrs Hawthorne, Leslie and Company, at New-castle-on-Tyne, in the year 1902. Her measurements are 500 feet over all, 475 feet between perpendiculars, fifty-nine feet ten and a-half inches beam, thirty-six feet depth of hold, and her draught, when loaded, is twenty-seven feet eleven inches. Her gross registered tonnage is 8000 tons, and her total carrying capacity, 10,000 tons. The vessel has three insulated holds, which will contain about 100,000 carcases of average New Zealand sheep. She is fitted with twin screws; has accommodation for fifty first saloon passengers and fifty second saloon passengers, and 180 steerage; and her crew, including officers, numbers 108.

Captain Francis Forbes has had command of the s.s. “Turakina” since the year 1902. He was born in 1858, at King's Bridge, Devon, England, where he was educated, and afterwards served his indentures under his father, the late Captain J. Forbes, who was the owner of sailing vessels. For four years Captain Forbes was a junior officer of the Union Castle Line, and joined the New Zealand Shipping Company in 1884 as third officer on the s.s. “Ruapehu,” on which he remained until he became a commander, in the year 1892. Captain Forbes was appointed chief officer for a year on the s.s. “Ruahine,” and was then placed in command of the s.s. “Otarama,” for one voyage. He was then in charge of the old “Kaikoura,” on which he remained until she was sold. Subsequently Captain Forbes took temporary charge of the s.s. “Tekoa,” and was afterwards in charge of the s.s. “Papanui,” before he received his present appointment.

Mr. Arthur Henry Vine , Chief Officer of the s.s. “Turakina,” is further referred to on page 779 of the Wellington volume of this Cyclopedia, as an officer on the s.s. “Tongariro.'

The s.s. “Rimutaka,” the property of the New Zealand Shipping Company, was built in the year 1901, by Messrs Denny Brothers, at Dumbarton, Scotland. Her length is 457 feet, her breadth fifty-eight feet, and her depth thirty-one feet. Her gross registered tonnage is 7765 tons, and her weight, when loaded, is 15,820 tons. The vessel's insulated chambers are capable of containing 120,000 average New Zealand sheep, or 150,000 lambs. The freezing machinery is of the Linde-Ammonia type, and is capable of producing twenty-five tons of ice per day. The permanent coal bunkers will hold 1680 tons of New Zealand coal, of which seventy-three tons is the average daily consumption. The “Rimutaka” has accommodation for ninety first and second class passengers, and for one hundred in the steerage. The total number of the crew—including captain, five officers, eight engineers, and the surgeon—is ninety.

Captain Herbert Edward Greenstreet, who commands the s.s. “Rimutaka,” has been well known in connection with the New Zealand Shipping Company's fleet for many years. He was in charge of the old “Rimutaka,” from the year 1888, and has had charge of the present fine vessel since her first voyage. He is further referred to on page 777 of the Wellington volume of this Cyclopedia.

Mr. Clarence Milner was appointed Third Officer of the s.s. “Rimutaka” in 1905. He was born in 1879 in Worcestershire, England, and was educated at Wellesbourne College. Mr. Milner served an apprenticeship of three years and six months under Messrs G. M. Steevis and Company, Liverpool, and subsequently joined the Peninsular and Oriental Company as fifth officer, served for four years, and rose to the position of third officer. He joined the “Rimutaka” in 1902, as fourth officer, find after one year's service, was promoted to his present position.

Mr. Francis William Harris was appointed Chief Steward in charge of the s.s. “Rimutaka” in the year 1903. He was born in London, England, in 1866, and was educated in Hertfordshire. For about seven years Mr. Harris was a commercial traveller in London, and went to sea in 1890, as a waiter on the British-Indian Line. After two years of service, he joined the New Zealand Shipping Company as a waiter on the old “Ruahine,” and afterwards acted as steward. Mr. Harris then became chief page 595 steward on the s.s. “Waimate,” and held that position when the Fifth New Zealand Contingent went to South Africa in 1899. Subsequently, he was chief steward on the s.s. “Whakatane” for three voyages, and in the “Paparoa” for two voyages, prior to his present appointment.

The s.s. “Tongariro,” of the New Zealand Shipping Company's Line, started on her first voyage in February, 1901. The vessel was built at Hepburn-on-Tyne by Messrs Hawthorne, Leslie, and Company. Her length is 472 feet, her breadth fifty-eight feet, her moulded depth thirty-four feet, and her draught, when loaded, twenty-seven feet two inches. Her gross registered tonnage is 7,600, her net, 4917, and her total carrying capacity, at out 11,000 tons. The ship's permanent coal bunkers will contain 1,800 tons, but on commencing a voyage she has usually 3000 tons on board. Her engines indicate 5000 horse-power, and her boilers consume eighty-five tons of Welsh, or 100 tons of New Zealand coal per day, travelling loaded at a speed of thirteen knots and a-half; the speed attained at her trial trip was 14.7, knots. She has three insulated holds, which have accommodation for about 91,300 carcases of average New Zealand sheep. The vessel is fitted with twin screws, and her engines are triple expansion with Marshall patent valve gear. She has five multitubular boilers, each sixteen by eleven, which are worked at a pressure of 180 pounds to the square inch. The “Tongariro” has accommodation for fifty saloon passengers, fifty-six second saloon, and 100 steerage. The total number of the crew, including officers, is 103. Captain Sutcliffe is now (1906) her commander.

Mr. John Low Grant was appointed Second Engineer of the s.s. “Tongariro,” in the year 1902. He was born at Arbroath, Forfarshire, Scotland, in 1876, was educated in London, and served an apprenticeship of five years with Messrs A. W. Robertson and Company. He subsequently went to sea as fourth engineer in a line of vessels trading to Japan. After two years Mr. Grant joined the service of the New Zealand Shipping Company on the s.s. “Waikato,” as third engineer. He afterwards served in the s.s. “Paparoa” in the same capacity, and was then transferred to the s.s. “Tongariro,” on which, after one trip, he was promoted to his present position.

Mr. Arthur James Nicholson was appointed Chief Refrigerating Engineer on the s.s. “Tongariro” in the year 1902. He was born in 1877, in Sunderland, England, where he went to school. Mr. Nicholson was afterwards apprenticed for five years at Dickinson's Marine Engineering Works. Subsequently he went to sea in the Nelson-Duncan Line of boats, engaged in the Eastern trade, and during three years served respectively as fourth, third, and second engineer. Later, for one year and six months, he found employment on shore in the North Eastern Engineering Works on the Tyne, and finally joined the service of the New Zealand Shipping Company's Line, as second refrigerating engineer on the s.s. “Tongariro.”

The s.s. “Kaipara,” of the New Zealand Shipping Company's Line, was built at Mr. John Brown's Clyde-bank yards, Glasgow, Scotland, in the year 1903. Her length is 460 feet, and her beam fifty-eight feet; her gross tonnage is 7391, and her net, 4741 tons. The vessel's engines indicate 4500 horse-power; and on her trial trip she steamed fourteen and a-half knots. She consumes about seventy tons of Welsh coal per day; and her coal bunkers will contain 2000 tons. Her insulated chambers measure 280,000 cubic feet, and she carries about 120,000 carcases of average New Zealand sheep. The “Kaipara” has twin screws. Her passenger accommodation provides for twenty-four in the saloon; and the total number of her crew, including officers, is seventy-five. Captain Arthur Wilson McKellar is now (1906) in command.

Mr. Robert Charles Norris was appointed Fourth Officer of the s.s. “Kaipara” in May, 1905. He was born in the year 1876, in Essex, England, was educated in Manchester, and afterwards served on the training ship “Conway,” for two years. Mr. Norris was apprenticed on a sailing vessel (the “Invercargill”) of the Shaw, Savill and Albion Line for three years; served subsequently, for a year as third mate, and afterwards held the same position on the ship “Irby” for a year. Later, he served for five years and six months as third and second officer, successively, on steamships on the coast of China. Mr. Norris then joined the Federal Company as fourth officer. He was afterwards appointed fifth officer page 596 on the new “Rimutaka,” from which he was transferred to his present position.

The s.s. “Kaikoura,” the property of the New Zealand Shipping Company, was built at Brown's Yards on the Clyde, Scotland, in the year 1903. Her length is 460 feet, her breadth fifty-three feet two inches, and her depth thirty feet nine inches; her draught when loaded is twenty-seven feet. The “Kaikoura's” net registered tonnage is 4477 tons, and her gross registered, 6998; and the dead weight carried, including stores and fresh water, is 9970 tons. The engines indicate 5,200 horse-power, but she usually works at 3,500 horse-power, averaging a speed of twelve knots. Her boiler pressure is 180 pounds to the square inch. The capacity of the vessel's permanent coal bunkers is equal to 2,000 tons, besides which 150 tons can be carried on deck, and her total consumption per day is sixty tons. The insulated chambers of this fine vessel measure 281,462 cubic feet, equal to the carriage of 95,000 60-pound average New Zealand sheep; and for general cargo, her hold measures 203,001 cubic feet. She carries twenty-four saloon passengers.

Captain Reginald C. Clifford is in charge of the s.s. “Kaikoura.” He is further referred to in the Wellington volume of this Cyclopedia at page 778.

The Twin Screw Steamship “Paparoa,” of the New Zealand Shipping Company's Line, was built in the year 1899, by Messrs Denny Brothers, of Dumbarton, Scotland. The vessel's measurements are 430 feet between perpendiculars, fifty four feet beam, and thirty-three moulded depth, and her draught, when loaded, is twenty-seven feet. Her net registered tonnage is 4265 tons, her gross registered tonnage 6,768 tons, and her total carrying capacity, 8400. She has three insulated holds, of 226,490 feet space, with accommodation for 80,000 carcases of average New Zealand sheep. In No. 2 hold the between decks are divided into A B and C compartments, which are specially adapted for carrying cheese. In her uninsulated space the “Paparoa” has 184,420 cubic feet, capable of holding about 10,000 bales of wool. The vessel has passenger accommodation for thirty-eight in her first saloon, forty in the second saloon, and 170 third-class passengers. The total number of crew, including officers, is 102. The engines indicate 4,000 horse-power, and she consumes fifty-two tons of Welsh coal while travelling at the rate of twelve knots on the outward voyage. With all holds full, and auxiliary engines going, she consumes sixty-three tons of Blackball coal on the homeward journey.

Captain Russell Jaggard has been commander of the steamship “Paparoa” since she was launched, with the exception of the first two voyages. He was born in August in 1860, in Warwickshire, England, and was educated at Lemington College, Captain Jaggard joined the New Zealand Shipping Company as an apprentice in 1874, and, with the exception of five years in the Pacific Line, has been continuously in the Company's service. After rising to the position of chief officer in the service of the Pacific Company, he returned to the New Zealand Shipping Company in 1884, as fourth officer, and rose through the various grades until he was placed in command of the steamship “Otarama” in February, 1896. Captain Jaggard supervised the building of the steamship “Waimate,” of which he took command, and after three and a-half voyages took home the steamship “Ruahine.” For some time he was engaged in supervising the building of the steamship “Wakanui,” of which he had command for three voyages, before receiving his present appointment.

Mr. Arthur White was appointed Chief Refrigerating Engineer of the steamship “Paporoa” in September, 1903. He was born in the year 1874, in London. England, where he was educated, and served an apprenticeship of five years with the Thames Iron Works and Shipbuilding Company, and afterwards worked for six months at Maxim's yards. Mr. White served as fourth and third engineer in the Glen Line, trading to China and Japan, and during that time obtained his certificate as chief engineer. In 1900 he joined the New Zealand Shipping Company, as second refrigerating engineer on the “Wakanui,” whence he was promoted to the “Paparoa.”

The s.s. “Paparoa.”

The s.s. “Wakanui,” a vessel of the New Zealand Shipping Company, was built by Messrs Hawthorne, Leslie and Company, at Newcastle-on-Tyne, England, in the year 1898. Her registered tonnage is 5680 tons, and her weight when loaded is 10,066 tons. She measures 420 feet in length, fifty-four feet in breadth, and thirty-two feet in dupth of hold. The vessel is 600 horse-power, and the capacity of her coal bunkers is 745 tons. The first three holds are insulated, and capable of carrying 90,000 sheep of the average weight of sixty pounds each. The holds for general cargo contain 138,800 cubic feet of space, and are capable of holding 3,470 tons of merchandise. The “Wakanui” makes about two and a-half trips annually between New Zealand and England, and carries only a limited number of second-class passengers.

Captain V. C. White-Parsons is in command of the s.s. “Wakanui.” He was well known for many years as an officer of the old “Rimutaka,” and afterwards as chief officer of the new “Rimutaka,” before he was promoted to his present position. Captain White-Parsons is further referred to at page 779 of the Wellington volume of this Cyclopedia.

Mr. Daniel Gray was appointed Third Engineer on board the s.s. “Wakanui” in the year 1904. He was born in 1874 in Holland, and was educated in Edinburgh, Scotland. Mr. Gray was afterwards apprenticed in the works of Messrs Ramage and Ferguson, at Leith, where he remained for five years and eight months. He then went to sea in the service of the London and Edinburgh Shipping Company as third engineer, served for seven years, and rose to the position of chief engineer. In February, 1904, Mr. Gray joined the New Zealand Shipping Company as fourth engineer, and was promoted to third engineer in November of the same year.

Mr. John Augustus Woodward was appointed Chief Steward of the s.s. “Wakanui” in the year 1903. He was born in 1870, at Birkenhead, Liverpool, where he went to school. Mr. Woodward went to sea as a cabin boy, on the s.s. “Adriatic,” of the White Star Line, served for seven years, and rose to the position of second saloon waiter. He subsequently sailed under the Netherlands Steamship Company, carrying the Dutch mail, and was second steward for six years. Mr. Woodward then joined the Orient Company as chief bedroom steward, became second steward of the “Ormuz,” and later on, was transferred to the “Austral.” He afterwards joined the New Zealand Shipping Company, served on the s.s. “Papanui” as second steward, and was subsequently promoted to chief steward on the “Wakanui.” Mr. Woodward married a daughter of Mr. J. Ralph, of Broughton, Kent, England, in the year 1903, and has one son.

The s.s. “Waimate” was built in the year 1896 at Hepburn-on-Tyne by Messrs Hawthorne, Leslie and Company, for the New Zealand Shipping Company. Her length is 420 feet, breadth fifty-four feet, and depth of hold thirty-two feet. Her net registered tonnage is 3629, her gross registered tonnage 5610, and her total carrying capacity 8,200 tons. Her engines indicate 3000 horse-power, but she usually works at 2,700, running eleven knots. The capacity of her permanent coal bunkers is 1200 tons, and her consumption of coal is 48 tons per day of New Zealand coal, or forty-three of Welsh. The vessel has insulated chambers capable of carrying 75,000 average New Zealand sheep. The “Waimate's” crew numbers sixty, including captain, officers, and engineers. The vessel has accommodation for twelve saloon passengers.

Mr. Fredebick John Wales was appointed Chief Engineer on the s.s. “Waimate” in the year 1905. He was born in October, 1855, at Redruth, Cornwall, England, and was educated at Swansea, South Wales. Mr. Wales served an apprenticeship of five years at Swansea as an engineer, and subsequently worked as a journeyman for some years. He afterwards went to sea as fifth engineer, under the Pacific and Oriental Company, and was promoted successively to the positions of fourth and third engineer. Mr. Wales then obtained his chief engineer's certificate, and was second engineer in the same service for nine years. In December, 1893, he joined the New Zealand Shipping Company as fourth, engineer on the s.s. “Paparoa,” which he joined in April, 1898, and was promoted to the position of chief engineer in 1904. After some time on shore, on account of sickness, he went to sea again on the s.s. “Waimate.”

Mr. Henry William Roe was appointed Third Engineer of the s.s. “Waimate” in the year 1904. He was born in Manchester, England, in 1870, and was educated in Manchester and in Yorkshire. Mr. Roe was apprenticed for five years under the firm of Nasymth, Wilson and Company, of Patricroft, North Wales. He then worked as a journeyman, and went to sea in 1896 in the Blue Funnel boats belonging to Mr. Alfred Holt. In 1899, Mr. Roe joined the New Zealand Shipping Company's service as sixth engineer on the s.s. “Ruapehu.” After four voyages, he was transferred to the s.s. “Kaikoura,” and was, successively, fourth and third engineer. Mr. Roe subsequently became fourth engineer on the s.s. “Whakatane,” and was afterwards in the same capacity in the s.s. “Turakina.” Prior to his present appointment he was third engineer on the s.s. “Kaikoura.” Mr. Roe obtained his chief engineer's certificate in March, 1904.