Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1913-07-18
FRENCHSTEAMERS
in SOUTH PACIFIC

With the opening of Panama canal,
Honolulu may yet find itself ihclud-
ed In an itinerary of a round the
world tour followed by one or more
French steamship companies, now
gaining a substantial passenger and
freight business in the South Pacific.
With the arrival OF the Canadian
Australasian liner Makura from the
Colonies yesterday comes report Of
remarkable activity at present being
displayed by French shipping compan-
les in regard to the Australian, and
more particularly TO the South Sea
Island trade.
The proposal Of the Messageries
Maritimes Company to replace its
present steamers by larger vessels
has been known for some consider
able time past, and it will not be long
before the Ganges, Louqsor, Euph-
rates, Kouang ST, and Ell Kantara will
take up the running to Australia and
sNoumea.
According to sadVices which came
TO hand, other French companies are
anticipating new departures, and a
new line of steamers has been insti.
futed by the Compagnie Navala de
rOceanie, with a round-the-world iti-
nerary. The service is to be main
tanned by four new steamers of about
5000 tons. running from Antwerp to
New Caledonia, via the Cape. From
Noumea the steamers will proceed to
the New Hebrides and Tahiti, return
ing via Cape Horn, Bordeaux and
Nantes. 1t is the intention eventually
to discard this round-the-world route
on the opening of the Panama Canal,
when the steamers will come direct
to Tahiti, via the Canal, and proceed
from thence to New Caledonia, max
ing call at Apia (Samoa), en- route,
This latter route will not be advan-
tageous to Sydney, as it is intended
to make Nouema the terminal point
for the vessels, which wild return via
the Canal The steamers st. Andre
and st. JosephA owned by this COM
pany, were the pioneer steamers of
the. new line. In view of the pros
poets which the opening OF the Pa
mama Canal offers to Noumea, how
ever, the Governor of New Caledonia
has appointed commission to con-
slider Improvements at that port,
which will be necessary to meet the
increased trade
The Messageries Maritime. as well
as putting larger steamers into the
Australian trade, is also, it is said,
about to start a new service between
Singapore, Batavia and Noumea. This
enterprise on the part of French
shipping companies, indicates a strong
optimism regarding the trade of the
South Seas, and should dispel any
idea which might exist as to the pos
sibility of the French relinquishing
any of their rights, either in New Ca
ledonia or the New Hebrides.
II
Several steamships proceeding from
the islands and to Honolulu were in
touch with kahuku wireless last even
ing, the Matson Navigation liner Will
helmina at 4S6 miles of port, reported
at steaming through smooth seas, fair
weather and all we'll on board. The
Oceanic liner Sierra en- route from
San Francisco and due here on Mon
day morning, was reported as S35
miles off port with all well aboard
Mauna Ioa Back From kona Coast.
The Inter-Island steamer Madna Loa
returned from Kona and Kau coast
ports this morning, the vessel bring
ing regulation cargo of Big Island
products, including several thousand
sacks sugar. and consignments of to-
Oacco. coffee. sisal. honey, hides,
fruits. live stock and sundries. The
Mauna Loa is scheduled to depart
over the same run on next Tuesday.
the vessel sailing at noon