HOLIDAY CRUISE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 307, 28 December 1935, Page 6

HOLIDAY CRUISE.

MONOWAI RETURNS.

PASSENGERS APPRECIATIVE

SPLENDID ORGANISATION.

With 300 happy hnlidaymakers on board, the Monowai, which sailed on Christmas Eve from Auckland on her annual northern coastal cruise, embracing Wharigaroa, Russell and the Great Barrier;-returned to port at 8.30 this morning. Glorious weather prevailed the whole time, with smooth seas and sunny skies. . Due to the' splendid organisation of the Union Steam Ship Company and to the untiring efforts of the commander, Captain A. H.. Davey, his officers and members of the crew to entertain passengers the excursionists enjoyed every minute on the well-appointed and comfortable vessel. The only complaint was that the delightful cruise was all too short. The most complete arrange; ments Were made to ensure enjoyment both in respect to the many launch trips to places of historic interest at the. ports visited as well 'as on the 11,000-ton vessel. Each passenger with his morning tea at 7 o'clock received a wellprinted "Wireless News," giving tabloid news items of New Zealand and worldwide interest, together with full arrangements of the programme to be followed each day and excellent 'descriptions of the places of scenic and historic interest. Particularly was this so at Whaugaroa and Russell. S Each dav launch-parties-were arranged to suit ail ..tastes, swimmers, hikers, sightseers • and fishermen all being catered for.' Fishing lines and bait were provided free. These parties left the ship both morning and afternoon. For those who did not desire to leave the. ship, deck games and sports were. provided. In the evenings a full talkie programme was screened in the lounge. Dancing on the after-deck to the strains of a capable orchestra was probably the most popular form of entertainment, although the treasure hunts round the ship and' games in the smoke-room had many followers. The spirit of gaiety was maintained throughout the voyage, the staff of' extra .and selected officers being responsible for this. These officers and-"also .those: belonging -.to - the ship itself -were not only .'efficient in their handling of the cruising launches and lifeboats, but also displayed helpful social qualities. It was their duty to entertain the passengers and in this they succeeded- admirably.

Christmas dinner was enjoyed in the well-ventilated and delightfully cool dining saloon of the Monowai at Whangaroa as the vessel lay at anchor close |To the towering hills above the wooded coast of the harbour of many bays. The dining saloon was tastefully decorated and a spirit of carnival was in evidence throughout the meal and also afterwards. Thursday was spent at Russell. Leaving there at 11 p.m. the Monowai leached Port Fitzroy, Great Barrier, yesterday morning at 7 o'clock. Again last night" the dining saloon was gaily decorated for the gala dinner and fancy dress ball. Most of the passengers wora fancy costumes to dinner. Many humorous and original costumes were in evidence. The prize winners were as follows: —Most -original costume, • "Topsy," Mrs. R. Ritchie, of Perth, West Australia; most humorous costume, "Frankenstein," Mf. D. Munro, Auckland; best costumes made on board, "Sarah Gamp," Mrs. F. Wilton, Auckland, and, "Cruise of 1035," Mr. J. Stephens, Auckland; best costume's brought on board, "If Winter Comes," Miss K. Trounspn, and "Coster," Mr. P. Burns, Mangapeehi. The treasure hunt was won by Miss D. Beechen, Hamilton, and Mr. Owen Williams, Marton. - .:. "Y : '

The prizes were presented by" Captain Davey. ■ On.behalf of thfc passengers, Mr. A. E. O'Meara, of Hastings, thanked the commander, his -officers and men for the. wonderful. way,: in which they had all combined to make- the cruise one of the most successful ever held. •■ i.