ALTERATIONS TO RUAHINE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 97, 26 April 1930, Page 20

ALTERATIONS TO RUAHINE.

SECONn SALOON REMODELLED.

yg. SHIPPING COMPANY'S LATEST MOVE.

Alterations running into thousands of pounds have been made on the New Zealand Shipping Company's liner Ruahine which is now in port. Practically all the second-class cabins have been remodelled, while the smoke room, drawing room and dining saloon have all been brought up to date. When the liner reached London on her last voyage from New Zealand an army of workmen were put on board to do the remodelling. All the cabina were pulled out and new materials were used in their place. Four-berth cabins are now only two-berth cabins, while two-berth cabins have been made into single cabins-. Oak wardrobes aiid dressing tables have been installed. The old style of washing basins have given way to the latest oak compactoms. Full-length/ mirrors are now installed in every cabin, while above all the dressing tables and coinpactoms looking glasses still have their place. Furnishings have all been renewed. Instead of the old style of running carpets on the floor, rugs of deepest colours, with the company's monogram, are placed. Comfortable wicker chairs are in each cabin, as well as the camp stool which takes up so very little room. Magnificent coloured cretonne curtains hang at each porthole, while alongside the beds beautiful blue art. silk curtains run, cacli colour blending artistically together and giving a general feeling of restfulness. All the old style of brass and silver knobs and handles, which were an eyesore to all, have been changed. Like the company's new Rangitiki, Rangitane and Rangitata, these now have knobs and handles made from New Zealand casein, and all help to tone in the colour scheme of the ship. Every cabin has been fitted with an electric fan for the hot weather. A big improvement to the ship has been made where the companionway stairs from the dining saloon leads into the cabins. Here a locker measuring at least 20ft by 10ft has been removed, and in its place a lounge, with comfortable easy'" wicker settees, chairs and palms, has been installed. This makes a very pleasant place to rest. To give some idea of the extra room which has been made in the second saloon, before these alterations were made, the Ruahine had accommodation for 83 passengers; now accommodation can bo found for 41 only—less than half. It can truly bo said of the New Zealand Shipping Company that every effort is being made to keep up to date all their ships for the travelling public, without consideration of expense.