By "Viator."

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 114, 18 May 1925, Page 10

By "Viator."

There is a touch of irony in the narrative of the. history of the Union Steam Ship Company, as set out elsewhere,; that in a sense it helped "to cut its own throat." This was when the Colonial. Government—as it was then—committed itself to the Vogel Railway Policy. Up to then communication between different

parts of the colony was entirely by sea, and in vessels that passengers to-day, used to tile luxuries of modern travel by sea, would- call "tubs." But the early steamers of the company played their, part in the carrying out of the full-speed-ahead rail-way policy of the Government of that day, as will

be seen in the historical article above referred to. Steamers now old in the Union Company's service, and some that were and are no more, or are under other flags, were the "express" means of travel- of their time on the coast and between Australia and New Zealand, and there were boats at a later date in the Island trade that were de-' scribed as " palatial" in respect to accommodation. The Manapouxi and Wairarapa were "the" steamers to travel on when they were connections between? Australia- and New Zealand. During the Melbourne Exhibition >f 1888' the _ Mararoa was consid-' ered palatial too. She retains her beautiful' lines,"',but' she is regarded by

horse-power,

the younger generation as a lady who has had her day.' Still, she always *■* gets tiiere,** Of coarse everybody "rushed" the new and bigger boats: everybody does, es-

pecially. women, although old and seasoned travellers are well aware that it does not follow that travel by the latest addition to any steamship line is superior in point of ease and homeliness to some other and older vessel. Sometimes there is too much of the air of "mind the paint" about the newest ships, and often the air of repose of the life on older steamers is wanting in some of them. Young people and many wealthy people of any age will take as a. matter of course all that companies can provide for them. It is safe to say that kings never travelled in such luxuriance as people who are not royal but have plenty of money to pay for it, travel across the North Atlantic to-day, Jules Verne has been outdone by the Aorangfs and similar luxury ships of today. His fancy in "The Floating City," so fascinating to boys -who are now'" mid-dle-aged men, has become fact, and no longer causes -wonder. Swimming baths,

gymnasium, lifts, post offices, newspapers, shops, toilet saloons, nurseribs, hospitals, restaurants, verandahs, and gardens,' all these are considered to be indispensable to the . modern passenger liner, and young travellers will turn' up their noses at anything else. But for those who are "getting on"' and have the time and money to take it, the sea voyage is th« best treatment they can take, for the jaded feeling incidental to middle age. To such the, doctor, speaking in the imperative mood, ■will recommend getting away "somewhere. Take a sea voyage," and they often go with highly beneficial results. For one thing, as soon as they board the steamer, hang up their sponge bagß near the washstarid, put a few articles in the rack over the bunk, and kick the cabin trunks well out of the way they are at ease. Then to the rail to

look down on the upturned .faces on the quay, to wave a farewell or throw a Kiss as the steamer backs out from her berth on her run of four days or four weeks, as the case may be. The next awaety. is to secure' a place at the table, and the next to familiarise oneself witli the locality, of the bathroom. After that peace and general slackening of taut nerves. No worry of telephones trains, or telegrams, no worry even from wireless grams—unless absolutely necessary. . In half an hour, or less, when the land is still in 'sight, one is in a new •world. On an absolutely modern liner' with everything up to date, there will .be plenty of change but not always rest. /.That depends largely upon the passenger; but on some of what for want of a better term are called the outside boats there is that less strenuous".life to lead that so many people enjoy, in their quiet way as do others the constant activities, sports, dances, flirtations, and music of the floating hotel of to-day. ■ . | . But there are still the Pacific Island cruises, and- they ar e becoming increasingly attractive. From Sydney or Auckland, and back again, "taking in Holy Tonga, Fiji, and Samoa, is practicable in comfort, and to a certain'extent in luxury, but not the "super" luxury which is rather .irksome to theseasoned traveller.' :-,.-■..

The French Islands :of the group—of which so much is heard to--day since Gauguin painted there and various novelists of many points of view took them for their settings—these can be reached by regular ocean mail steamer, so can Fiji '(Suva) and' the far-distant Honolulu, famous—or infanious, according to the point of view--for its ukuleles. A trip to the' Cook Islands and back again will act as a gentle- restorative to the weary with something to look forward to on arrival and. something to talk about on return. ' . ■

.Of course, the runs'to Vancouver 6r San Francisco are longeristill, but they are outside the purpose of this article, which is. to show the restful and beneficial effects of travel by 1 sea as compared, with the hurry' and v scuffle' and sometimes irritation and worry' of' travel by land. • '' ' . .

Considering that the total population of. Nev? Zealand is about the same size as. that of, Liverpool and its environs, yet is over 1200 miles from its nearest point of contact with any other country, it is fairly well placed, as a^\ starting point for a sea voyage fbiv.-health.,' pleasure, or business. > It is certainly well served by a shipping company'that ia of out-and-out New* Zealand origin;

The distinguishing mark: of the red-. funnel ; and black top of the Union Company's steamers is shared with the- Cun-' • ard. ' ■. . ' ■ " '