TOURISTS' DAY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 31, 6 February 1937, Page 19

TOURISTS' DAY.

ROUND OF VISITS. ORONSAY AT AUCKLAND. EXCURSIONISTS' BRIEF STAY. ■ I The growing tourist interest in Xew Zealand by overseas travellers was further apparent yesterday afternoon when tha big Orient liner Oronsay arrived from England and Australia with a total of 883 excursionists. Amongst them were 102 round trip voyagers from England. Most of them left the city last night on tours arranged by the Government Tourist Department, and will visit tho Waitomo Caves, Rotorua, and tho Chateau Tongariro before rejoining the vessel at 'Wellington. Others of the tourists are undertaking tours in and about the city.

With outbreaks of sickness wltioh kept the sick-bay busy, and with a total oi three deaths, the Oronsay, on her voyage from England to Australia, had an unfortunate run, but her voyage across the Tasinan was unmarked by other than pleasant incident. Excellent weather was experienced, and the passengers were well entertained. Prominent Visitors. Among the round-trip passengers were a number who had visited the Dominion on several previous occasions. To them Xew Zealand had an additional interest. A visitor looked at the sun-lit harbour and recalled that in England it was the season of enow.

Several of the English passengers | had planned prolonged stays in this country. Among these were Mr. and llrs. Somerset Playne and their son, Mr. Nat. Playne. Mr. and Mrs. Playne have had an intimate association with Zealand. Mrs. Playne was born in Hawke's Bay and her husband was the author of a book which dealt with commercial aspects of the country. On this visit they will remain until April, and their son may settle in the Dominion.

Two other visitors of note were Sir Edward Speed and the Baron de Tuyll. Sir Edward Speed, whose home is now at Henley-on-Thames, was formerly chief justice of Nigeria, retiring from that position in 1!)1S. In his retirement In has paid a number of visits to thie country, the last being in 1931. He i 3 returning by the Oronsay.

Uaion do Tuyll, who is accompanied by his wife, is on a holiday visit here. Hi 3 is a Dutch title, but lie lias lived in England for a number of years, and his homo is at Cobhain, in Surrey. The baroness is an Australian. They will spend a year in the Commonwealth before returning to England.