TO LIVE ON A LINER.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 230, 28 September 1935, Page 7

TO LIVE ON A LINER.

BOOKS THREE TRIPS.

DONE FOR £400 A YEAR. «NO STAGNATION." (Special.—By Air Mail.) LONDON, September 7. When the P. 0. liner Barrabool sailed from King George V. dock, London, this week, a passenger who hopes to spend the rest of his life—or of the ship's life —on board went with her. This passenger, Major W. E. Long, said: "1 have booked this cabin for three voyages from London to Brisbane and back. I would have liked to book it for many more voyages, but three was all tho company would undertake.

"I have decided that this ship shall henceforth be my home. These three trips will come to an end on July 15 next year, when I shall immediately book again as far as the company will allow. In my view this is by far the most enjoyable kind of life and it can be done easily by anyone who has about £400 a year. 1 think it is pathetic to see the number of retired men with that amount of money and more who spend their lives in stagnation.

"Of course, I love the sea. All my life I have been travelling as much as my Army service would allow. Forty years ago T made my first voyages to South America, seven times to China and Japan, three times to Australia and many times to India and the Malay States. I never weary of the sea and I am always well in a ship. 1 shall play golf at all the ports. Colombo is oiip of the most sporting courses I know. But I would rather stay on board if I cannot find a golf partner." Major Long, who was formerly in the 4th Hussars, and after the war on the Remount staff, lias made his cabin homely with his possessions. His own pictures are on the wall; nis own bureau and his own chairs are part of the furnishing.