THE AKAROA

Evening Post, Volume CXV, Issue 23, 28 January 1933, Page 24

THE AKAROA

ON MAIDEN VOYAGE

NEW ZEALAND SERVICE

The Akaroa (formerly the Aberdeen liner Euripides), which is due at Auckland on S*s£ February from Southampton on her maiden voyage, and at Wellington shortly afterwards, is -the largest ship that has so far entered the regular New Zealand trade. Other ships have a greater tonnage than the Akaroa's 15,000, but the Akaroa, 550.7 ft in length, is longer than. the next longest. She will be an acquisition to the passenger trade of the Dominion,' and is a cabin class liner, writes the London correspondent of ''The Post."

Before the vessel' sailed, Mr. J. Macmillan; chairman and general manager of the Shaw, Savill Company, entertained about a hundred guests at luncheon on board. Half of these represented the Dominions and the Press, and the other half were representatives of shipping and allied trades. The guests had an opportunity of inspecting the vessel.

- In .the Akaroa oil fuel supply has been substituted for coal. Specialised refrigeration which is necessary for tfre New Zealand trade has been fitted.

The one-class accommodation has meant the reorganisation of the public rooms. The drawing room has bay

iwindows overlooking the upper deck., land a parquet floor. There is a spaci:ous lounge, panelled in flame birch. The smoke: room, which, occupies the •whole 'width of the ship, is panelled in light green, oak, and from this one may step out onto the verandah, cafe. From, the verandah cafe, which extends the 'fell width of the ship, one may'look •oUt over the boat decks at the stern of the vessel. A novel effect has been obtained in the decorations. The pillars are squared off and marked to look like stonework, and the walls are also decorated to look'like stone. The floor is especially laid for dancing. On one of the lower decks is a tiled swimming bath. It is about' 16ft square, and 4ft deep at one end, and 6t't deep at the other, giving ample space for diving. Around this there are dressing rooms, shower baths, and tho sitting-out space arourid. the pool itself is suitably furnished and decorated to give an outdoor garden, effect. In the gymnasium there are rowing machines, stationary bicycles, on which opponents may race, their speed being shown by a clock indicator. There are punch balls, clectrie vibrators, and grips, dumbbells, and Indian clubs, and an; electric horse. ' ■ ' accommodation is' arranged on three decks," Even on. the lowest of the decks the cabins are excellent, each, one having light from, a port hole. Many of the cabinsiave bathrooms attached,to them, andthe top-deck cabins are;spacious. HIGH COMMISSIONER'S MESSAGE. After the luncheon, Mr. Macmillan bailed upon' Mr. 'IV T. Sandford' (secretary to. the.High Commissioner's Department) to read a message from Sir Thomas "Wilford, who was unable- to be present. ■ . ■ "I wish God-speed to the Akaroa," the High. Commissioner wrote. '' The Shaw, Savill, and Albion Company, have great courage arid enterprise in adding this fine ship to their fleet in these days of' universal, difficulty. It :is better to be ready now than, to be unready, if good times come. The merchant service. constitutes, a vital link ■between New Zealand and the Homeland. About a year ago I hauled down the.flag' of the bid Corintliic, after its 30, years' faithful service. May the Akaroa, when she. finishes her record many years hence, be able to point to as great a measure of achievement. The Akaroa is a suitable . name, it is euphonious; it means 'long bay,' and •the name is associated with the early history of New Zealand. "On 14th August, 1840, at Akaroa, the British flag was hoisted by the captain of H.M.S. Britomart, and foruial possession of the South Island of New Zealand was then taken, which forestalled,'by barely 24 hours, the taking possession of the South Island by the French frigate L'Aube, followed three days later by the French ship, Comte de Paris, with "a party of immigrants on board. "This, is not the first ship named 'Akaroa that has sailed for New Zealand, for the barque Akaroa, flying the Shaw,'Savill flag, traded to New Zealand from 1882 to 1900, and then passed into Norwegian hands. In the ■ days of the. Akaroa, a ship of 1298 tons, it was described as.having 'excellent accommodation' for 300 passengers.' The standard to-day demanded and provided is very different. In 1885 the barque Akaroa took 135 days to reach New Zealand. What a wonderful . advance and what marvellous progress! . .; "I conclude with all good wishes for the Akaroa, her owners, and those who sail in her."