THE ROTORUA.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 13909, 7 December 1910, Page 11

THE ROTORUA.

NEW ZEALANDERS ENTER-

TAINED

(FROM OCR OWN COBKESPONDENT.) LONDON, October 28. Last Saturday the New Zealand Shipping Company entertained at luncheon the High Commissioner of the Dominion and a large party of New Zealanders on board their new vessel, the Rotorua. Mr G. T. Haycraft, a director of the company, presided, and the guests invited included:—-Sir William and Lady Hall-Jones, the Misses Hall-Jones, Sir William and Lady Russell, the Hon. Seymour Thorno George and Major-General Robley. In proposing "Success to the New Zealand Shipping Company," Sir William H3ll-Jones complimented the company on tho enterprise they had displayed in building such a magnificent steamer as the Rotorua. At the same time, he hoped the day would not be far distant when there would be an accleration of speed in the boats running between London and the Dominion. Mr Haycraft remarked that it would be interesting to the ladies present to know that the refinement and taste shown in the fitting out of the vessel were due to a lady, Mrs ~W. C. Dawes, who had taken a very keen personal interest in the details of the ship. With regard to the speed question, he said this was a matter which could not be settled in a moment, though he agreed that a faster service was desirable. The watchword of the company was "Advance," and he could assure them that careful attention was being devoted to the speed problem. Mr T. E. Donne submitted "Success to the Rotorua." He observed that tho ship marked an epoch in the company's existence. She was the finest vessel of the fleet, and a credit to any fleet in the world. Dealing with tho comparatively low rate of speed, he said they must not forget that New Zealand was a long way off. It took a great deal of coal for the voyage, and if Captain Suteliffe ran the Rotorua at full speed the company's agent in New Zealand would have something to say about the coal bill. The Rotorua had been built by a firm with a big reputation, and she would be under the command of Captain Suteliffe, who had made sixty-four voyages to New Zealand.

Briefly acknowledging the toast, Captain Suteliffe spoke of the wonderful hospitality of New Zealanders, which was such "that he felt he was homeward bound when going out to the Dominion, instead of being outward bound. In the course of his career he had carried many distinguished New Zealanders, notably the late Mr Seddon, and in 1902 the Coronation Contingent, and Sir William Russell. As for the Rotorua, everything had been done for tho convenience and welfare of passengers, and he was proud of his command. [The Rotorua arrived at Hobart yesterday.]