MARAMA'S CRUISE.

Evening Post, Volume CXVII, Issue 76, 31 March 1934, Page 4

MARAMA'S CRUISE.

D'URVILLE ISLAND AND MARLBOROUGH SOUNDS

A reflection of gay proceedings overnight still lingered about the passengers who .regretfully disembarked from the Marama at Wellington' after her return about seven yesterday morning from her cruise to D'Urville Island and the Marlborough Sounds. One and all declared that in spite of cool winds and some rain the trip had been thoroughly enjoyable, the organisation for entertainment and sight-seeing and the enthusiastic efforts of Captaiu G. B. Morgan and all members of his staff more than making up for any defect in the weather conditions. Festoons of coloured streamers tore away as the Marama pulled out from the Queen's Wharf on Monday last on her way to an anchorage in the harbour. Here she lay, brilliantly lighted, while an introductory dance, .as well as- the. ship's cinema, gave a foretaste of .future 'entertainment, until 11 p.m., when she moved off for the trip to D'Urville Island. ~ A reconnoitring call"'was made next morning outside Greville Harbour, but as a northr-westerly swell running in made the conditions obviously unsuitable for boating,' the Marama proceeded to Port Hardy, dropping anchor at Allmau's Bay after breakfast. Here the principal attraction was the fishing, but the ship's hired launches also made cruises about the harbour, arid a party landed at the Port Hardy Homestead, beach, the more energetic members climbing a track to a saddle, where they were rewarded with a beautiful view aver both sides of D'Urville Island." The afternoon was one of heavy rain, but a programme of deck sports under cover was organised by the resourceful officers. The evening was chiefly signalised'by a concert,whichincluded hakas, poi dances, and musical items: by a party of D'Urville Island Maoris. v .-'.y'

Ship Cove, Queen Charlotte Sound;' with its wealth of tree-ferns, was '• visited, inbright sunshine on \yednesday morning, all the passengers being landed. An interesting address on the historical associations wasgiven at the Captain Cook monument by Mr. HI.F. Norman. A comic interlude was supplied by the cruise photographer, who climbed to the top of the monument to get some snaps, but lost his nerve about coming down again and had to be rescued by three of the sailors. The Grove -Reach was the next stopping place, where the afternoon was spent in launch trips to Picton and about the head of the sound and in fishing,, while the evening was principally devoted to a treasure hunt, creating great interest and amusement, besides the inevitable dancing. ' A fresh breeze greeted the •. vessel on arrival next morning in Pelorus Sound, but by: the time 'she reached her anchorage in the Kenepuru Arm this had taken off, and a boating programme was carried out here and again in the afternoon in Tennyson Inlet, where good hauls were made by fishing parties. This lovely spot, with its bush-clad mountains and verdant islands, made a fitting setting for the last evening's gala dinner in the' gaily decorated saloons and for the fancy dress ball which followed. The fancy costumes displayed a wealth of beauty and ingenuity, so that Mrs. R. H. Read and Mrs. C. Christie, as judges, had a hard task in making their awards. After the adjudication Captain Morgan presented the prizes' for this and other competitions held during the cruise. Prize-winners were as follows:— Best Costume Made on Board.—Ladies, "Vitamins," Miss A. M. Shearer; men, "Baby," Mr. P. Pipe. Best Costume Brought' on Board.— Ladies, "Robin Hood/ Miss L. A. Meatehem; nien, "Cowboy," ' Mr. L. Steffens. : ..-.-• Most Original Costume. —Ladies, *"3>lrs; Captain Cook," Mrs. .J. Ball; men, "Gandhi," Mr. H. G. Hughan. Most Humorous Costume.—Ladies, "Drunken * Bridegroom," Mrs. H. G. Hughan; nien, "Clown," Mr. W. H. Zander; special, "Rider of Horse," Master P. Keerian. . ' : Treasure Hunt: Miss N. Murray and Mr. N. Palmer, 1; 'Miss'J: Strouts and Mr. R. Messenger, 2; Miss .1,. Clarke and Mr. W. H. Jones, 3. Potato Race. —Ladies: Miss N. Hales, I; Miss H. Mill, 2. Meu: Mr. H. G. Hughan, 1; Mr. Farnworth, 2. . Wheelbarrow Race.—Miss N. Lewis and Mr. Knight, 1; Miss N. Mill and Mr. S. Thynne and Miss L. A. Meatchen^ and Mr.' Messenger, bracketed, 2., Three-legged Race.—Miss S., Strouta and Mr. R. A. Lawes, 1; Miss Scott and Mr. S. Thynue,.2. . Egg and Spoon Race.—Ladies: MissoL. A. Meatehem, 1; Miss N. Hales, 2. MenMr. S. Thynne, 1; Mr. R: A. Lawes, 2. Officers' Egg and Spoon Race.—Mr. A. J. McKenzie.