S.S. TAMAROA

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 91, 14 October 1926, Page 10

S.S. TAMAROA

SHAW-SAVILL COMPANY'S NEW SHIP

EXCELLENT FOR MIGRATION PURPOSE,1?.

(From Our Own Corr«pond«Bt.)

LONDON, 9th September. As the s.s. Tjmaroa rode in the docks this morning preparatory to passing out into the Thames a small army of workmen crossed the gangway to the quayside. Refitting has been going on since about 14th June, but the last coats of paint were laid on only as the vessel took her departure from the Royal Albert Dooks this morning. As the Tamaroa, the Shaw, Savill Company's new steamer, takes on a New Zealand atmosphere. As the Sophocles, the vessel was decorated with Australian pictures and panels. These have been removed, and in their place are New Zealand scenes. For instance, in the first-class vestibule there are enlarged photographs, done on the wood panels, of Buller Gorjje, Mount Sefton," two Wanganui River scenes, and other bush scenes.

To-morrow the Tamaroa takes on board 404 assisted passengers, including 42 Salvation Array boys, 29 domestic servants, 6 girls under the sheep owners' scheme, and 20 public school boys. It is from the point of view of migration that the new vessel will be especially useful to the Dominion. The Immigration Officer considers it to be the ideal ship for this purpose. It will carry about 600 third-class passengers, and about 400 o£ these on each voyage will be assisted passengers—a number which is the most convenient for the Immigration Department to deal with. There is permanent accommodation for 420 third-class passengers. The remainder of the cabins are placed on No. 2 shelter deck, and appear to be just us comfortable as the permanent cabins. The only disadvantage which passengers in this part o£ the ship will labour under is that their lavatory accommodation has tci be placed on the deck above. When the ship returns to England, of course, all these temporary cabins, will bo removed to make way for cargo. At the stern of the vessel the main deck and the lower deck arc both taken up with third-class cabins, and third-class cabins are placed along almost the whole length of the lower deck. There are cabins for six, four, and two respectively. No one could find any fault with the two and four-berth cabins with portholes. Those away from the side of the ship are necessarily lighted with artificial light. Some of the six-berth cabins would be rather small for adults, but the majority are fairly spacious. CINEMATOGRAPH ENTERTAINMENTS. In'the women's lavatories are tubs for washing clothes. There is a generous supply of baths everywhere. The dining saloon is spacious, and supplied with long tables at each of which about forty'people could be seated. The galley extends the whole breadth of the ship, and is well fitted to deal with the 600 third-class passengers. As for third-class deck space there is the after well deck and the poop, the latter affording plenty of space for games and sitting out. On the after part of the boat deck is a cinematograph, and pictures will be thrown on to a screen on the other side of the after-well deck.' Thus saloon passengers on the promenade deck' and third-class passengers ou the well deck will all be able to witness these film presentations together. The Government Publicity Department has been able to spare two scenic films of New .'Zealand. There will be other films, but they will probably be American. First-class accommodation is provided for 116 people, and considering the comparatively small number they will travel in comfort. The dining saloon is big enough for all the passengers at one time. Cabins are on the promenade deck and the main deck. The latter are of the Bibby design, air and light from portholes being supplied to both outer and inner cabins. Both the single and double cabins are comfortable and roomy. At the fore-part of the promenade deck are the lounge and the library, separated only by a transparent glass partition. At the after end are verandah cafe and the smoking-room. The dining saloon is on th 6 lower deck. Most of the panelling in the public rooms is of light wood, making the places look very bright and cheerful. Sofas and chairs in the.lounge and library are covered with light chintz.. OIL BURNER. Since taking the vessel over the Shaw, Savill Company has had it converted into an oil burner. The ship has one funnel and twin screws. It is believed that the voyage to New Zealand will be done in 33 days, but this will be known only when the Tamaroa actually arrives in New Zealand. The bridge is an especially large one, and the officers' accommodation is very good. From the bridge the officer on duty can close all water-tight doors on the ship by one action, and the closing takes only 10 seconds. Captain W. Hartman, who Iras previously captain of the Tainui, has been appointed to command the vessel, and Captain Ogilvic, who commanded the vessel when she was the Sophocles, is going out and back on this first trip in case his personal advice on matters concerning the ship may be needed. . He will travel as a passenger and not in uniform. Mr. J. Macmillan, general manager of the company, went round with the steamer to-day from the Thames to Southampton. Several other officials of the company were on board, and Mr. F. T. Sandford (Immigration Officer) and Mr! H. T. B. Drew (Government Publicity Officer). During the voyage there is a good deal of tidying up to be done in readiness to receive the 700 passengers at Southampton to-morrow. HER PASSENGERS. The saloon passengers of this ship mii elude.— For Wellington. Dr. W. E. Collins and Mrs. Collins, Dr. R, Adams, Mr. and Mrs J. Doherty and Miss T. Doherty, Mr. and Mrs. F. Downs, Mr. and Mrs. R. S. Forsyth, Mr. and Mrs. D; George, LieutColonel C. Gray and Mrs. Gray, Mr. and Mrs. M. Gresson, Mr. and Mrs. H. Illingworth, Mr. and Mrs. D. Laird and the Misses B. and S. Laird and Master A. Laird, Mr. and Mrs. A. Perston, Mr. and Mrs. G. Peters and Master R. Pe{er*TMr. J. Rogerson and Miss F. Rogerson, Mrs. A. Taylor-Young and Mr. {£ TaylorYoung, Mr. and Mrs. E. White, Mrs. B. Little, Mrs. R Benton, the Misses M Chapman, E. Duncan, M. Gould, and M Liddiard, Messrs. E. Boyle. G. Johnson Mrs. M. Strang. For Auckland. Mrs. F. Hay and Mies C. Hay, Mrs. X Venville'and Miss P. Venvillc, Mrs. I. Worsley, Miss A. Sanders, Messrs. E. Fox, H. Russell, and T. Wilson. ■ '■' . " ■ ** ' h\n- Lyltelton. Mrs. H. Tasman Da vies and Master J. Duvics, Messrs. H. Benson, J. Duke, and H. Milnea. For Port Chalmers? Mrs. C. Napier . lor. Gisborne: Mr. and Mrs. J. BarnsGraham, Misses D., W., G., J.. and' X Barns-Graham, and Messrs. J., J., and \ Barns-Graham. * For Napier: Mr. and Mrs.' C. Pattisoii, Mrs. M. Glendimng and Miss L. Glendining, Mr. F. Nelson. For Oamaru: Mr. and Mrs. J. Nichols, the Misses- V. and V. Nichols . There are 571 third-class passengers.