THE FRANCONIA.

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 41, 18 February 1927, Page 8

THE FRANCONIA.

A HOME AT SEA.

*EPTUNE comes aboard.

A FREAK DINNER.

Luxury, restrained and dignified, surrounds the passengers who have reached New Zealand on the Franconia on a round-the-world tour. There are three hundred and seventy-four who are enjoying this wonderful trip, on which they touch at so many ports, and are entertained in so many ways. Apart j from mere sightseeing, great efforts are made for their enjoyment by the staff, and when they crossed the Line on FebrVia? 8 ' they met Father Neptune in all his old-time splendour. His Empire nla+i 7 fading away when such great castles as the Franconia take to the t ln ' ~b , u t f or all that he favoured them with a visit, and brought with no? I°T dlstln guished people, who do depths Of Ventu I re from the lower trite LA C ° UrSe ' hls wife ' AmphisSn PnWri™ com P an y. but so did his heard from T™' W \° has not been of the Greeks'"^so^thp 1 SIDCe the times very honoured P assen gers were person, who is very • celebrated story, nam ed Davy Jones, also appfared and was accompanied by the Old Man of anMrzLri «s Crawlin - on board, and also two lovely mermaids, who were dragged round the deck in nets, ha vine been caught fresh that When they reached the foot of Neptune's throne, they had to be lifted and carried and laid at the feet of the sea god in all their glory of golden and "silver scales, for, of course, possessing tails, they could not walk, and only a few knew that four very pretty girls amongst the passessengers were taking the part of the sea god's escort. To show how even modern ways are invading the darkest depths even of the sea, a manicurist accompanied Neptune's wife. .

An Unusual Dinner. At dinner that night it was found that Neptune had beeu very.kind to the passengers and many rare" and curious viands from his larder were on the menu. r "Stance, boiled Old Man of the Sea I""" a lthough some people « not the sound of the dish,

we are assured that it tasted excellent. With this was served Fried Flying Fish, with Whale Blubber Sauce, and this came in to the tune bv the orchestra of " Ships that Pass in the Night." The chief joint was Sea Horse, and Mother [ Carey's Chickens were served as poultrv, while seaweed and white coral were amongst the vegetables. The salads contained Beachcombers' Salad, and, although this is not usually regarded as a delicacy, we are informed that it was much relished. The sweets ended with such delights as Mermaids' Whispers. All kinds of queer favours are carried by the vessel to enliven the dining table, balloons that on being blown up to their full extent deflate with the sound of a rushing motor car horn, top hats and other devices of amusement helped this unusual feast.

One of the most delightful entertainments on board is the coloured cinema, I which has a series of pictures that pass slowly across the vision showing the different places of the world, and each is accompanied by its national music. If, for instance, Spain is being described, the music is real Spanish music, or if it be Egyptian, real music of the people accompanies the scene. Even the unusual wail on four notes of China is played as the scene crosses the film, and adds greatly to the reality of the vision. They are coloured dream pictures, and very beautiful.