The extension of railways and roads during the last few years has inevitably put many of our coast-trading steamers out of business. Better communications by land have reduced passenger traffic by water to a minimum; that is a necessary process in the development of the country. The North Auckland railway is a case in point. There still remains, however, a useful field for cargo-carrying small craft, and here comes in the advantage of the auxiliary screw scow type of vessel to many of the ports and bays and tidal rivers which the railway does not touch. It is a pleasure to see the oil-engined centreboard schooners and ketches working in and out of Wellington Harbour. In these vessels the fine art of handling canvas is happily preserved; the seamanly accomplishment is not to be left entirely to the yachts. Half-a-dozen or so of the traders of this class still traverse Cook Strait, making their passages in the open sea mostly under sail. One has watched with admiration the Echo and the Kohi beating in through Wellington Heads against a nor'-wester, the engine aiding the sails. Long may such hardy little craft tramp the Strait.