A TAMAHINE WEEK-END

Dominion, Volume 20, Issue 101, 24 January 1927, Page 12

A TAMAHINE WEEK-END

IN BEAUTIFUL MARLBOROUGH SOUNDS. The Anniversary week-end of 1927 will live long in the memory of those who were fortunate enough to participate, in the pleasure cruise of the Union S.S, Company's Tnuiahine to' the Alarlborougb Sounds. “For the period and price.” said one world traveller, who piade the trip, which terminated last evening, “I emi recall no trip so thoroughly enjoyable nnd continually interesting. This is made so largely by two factors —-the magnificence of the scenery and the fine degree of comfort offered by the Tainalitno and her fine staff of officers.” The Tamahine. which left Wellington nt 9 a.in. on Saturday, passed into the calm extent of Tory Channel at 11.15 n.m.. with brilliant sunshine bathing the noted mountains and glistening on Hie snow-spattered peaks of the distant Ka:kouras. The trip mi the Cll.-inn.pl was a perfect delight. All I’ictoll was on trie wharf to meet tile Tamahine. .After luncheon the passengers were divided Into parties. One bathing party lauded nt Prosser’s Bay, a pretty little curved beach on the way up to the Grove, whilst another went on to Ngakuta Bay. Mr. W. 11. Stead’s property (on the border or the Ngakuta Government Reserve), said to be “tapn” territory, .to the Maoris of the district), but a. scene of. vernal glory to the visitors. On the boat trip up to the Grove, there arc a succession of sweetly pretty yellow-beached bays, whore fortunately-plaeed Blenheim people have erected charming little red-roofed bungalows, which make a splaslnof homelike colour against the green background of the bush. The party which went on to Ngakuta Bay, piloted by the captain ot the Tamahine. hud a delightful outing. On returning to Prosser’s Bay, great billies of water were boiled on the beach, the excursion resolving itself into the jolliest of picnics, thanks to a great extent to Ml’. Hanecck, the .head office official, who leaves nothing undone to contribute to-the comfort and .enjoyment of the . passengers. On ■ returning to the Tamahine, she was found to bo gaily decorated and fancifullv screened for the evening dance, one of the features of the trip. There was dancing from 8 p.m. until 11.30 n.m., to excellent liiusic. Dancing was held on tho well-chalked main deck, which was decorated with coloured electric lights anil flags nnd with flm orchestra disposed centrally on the hatchway, tho dancers reversed untiringly until the last jazz melody died away on the placid night air. . Sunday morning found, tho Tamahine ploughing her way tin Pelorus Sound under a "grey sky, with -tlio tops ot the highest mountains lost in tho clouds, a vivid contrast being provided'by ,shares of golden sunlight which occasionally struck down the long aisles of the Sounds. As soon as breakfast was over tho boats and launches, wero lowered and crowded with eager pleasure-seekers, who soon gave life and colours to the lakc-liko surface of “The End.of too Wor"—tho head of Plonrus' -Sound, which is surrounded with forest-clad mountains. 20(10 feet high;' One boatload of trippers • wore- soon busy hauling up blue-cod. Whilst the fishing went on" another larger party, made the trio to Elaine Bay, there to climb a h.iH which gave a view of the distant Crqixelles: whilst another party went bathing in the mellow waters of the Sound. Tn I lie afternoon the TamniiHjo retraced her course to Picton on an azure sea, slowing down as. she. passed Ship Cove io giiinuse the sabd-looknit* block masonry Cook Memorial. During teatime one of the passengers took the opportunity of thanking Captain 1 rosser, his officers and iMr. Hancock, for (ho wonderful time, they had experienced during the two days. . Mr. Hancock said it "as gratiiymg tn bear how much the passengers appreciated Hie trim On behalf of Capain Prosser nnd his. men lie' emud say that one and all did endeavour to make tho trip as pleasurable as possible. He was glad to learn they had succeeded. The return trip was uneventful.