THE STRATHNAVER

Evening Post, Volume CXX, Issue 127, 25 November 1935, Page 13

THE STRATHNAVER

CRUISE FROM SYDNEY

FIRST TRIP OF THE SEASON

With the early morning sunshine glistening on her white hull and upperworks, and the clear mirror of the water breaking into ripples at her bow and stern, the cruising liner Strathnaver made an impressive picture as she moved up the harbour shortly before 8 a.m. today.

The big ship was berthed at Pipitea wharf with ease, having made the trip down from Auckland in over an hour less than had been expected. Cars and buses were soon on hand to take the passengers on the various trips around Wellington which had been arranged.

Though the passenger list of 874 tourists, who embarked at Melbourne, Sydney, and Brisbane, is not as large as that of last year, when she brought 1041 passengers, it must be remembered that this year she is the first cruise ship to visit these waters. Last year's first ship, the Strathaird, a sister vessel, brought about 850 tourists. The popularity of the tours is shown by the fact that berths on the Strathaird due at Auckland on December 20, and the Orama, due there on December 26, are almost fully booked. MANY TOUKS. Approximately 200 of the visitors spent the weekend making somewhat hurried tours of .the North Island by car and train. One party of 40 came down from Auckland via the Waitomo Caves, Kotorua, Wairakei, the Tongariro National Park, and Wanganui. It arrived here by car early this afternoon.

Another party, also travelling by car, went on a somewhat longer trip via Rotorua, the Waitomo Caves, New Plymouth, and Mount Egmont. These tourists are expected here at 6 p.m. today, half an hour before the ship is due to sail.

After reaching B,otorua from Auckland, another party proceeded to Wairakei, and thence to the Chateau Tongariro. From there they are coming.through to Wellington by a special train, which is due at 4.50 p.m.

The fourth group proceeded from Auckland to Rotorua via Wairakei, and thence to Napier. It is due here from Napier by the Napier Express late this afternoon.

After the vessel berthed at Auckland, a large number of her passengers made a one-day trip to Rotorua, About 240 went by rail and 60' by private car. Everyone was most enthusiastic about the service given them in New Zealand. These 300 one-day trippers were handled by the New Zealand Government Tourist Department without a hitch. Everyone in the party lauded.the praises of the . country through whic.a the cars and train passed. Many expressed their intention to return and spentl a longer period amid the scenic beauties of the North Island. ABOUND WELLINGTON. Some 650 passengers . came from Auckland by the Strathnaver. Soon after the ship berthed, many tourists could be seen about the town taking advantage of the sunshine to see Wellington at its best. At 9 a.m. a large party left the wharf by bus for a drive round the city's environs. The route took the sightseers past the Parliament Buildings, round Oriental Bay, over Mount Victoria, through Kilbirnie to Lyall Bay, and around to Ohiro Bay. The bus returned via Brooklyn, Kelburn, and the Botanical Gardens, arid arrived back at the ship early in the afternoon. At 1 p.m. buses left the ship for a four-hour trip through the Hutt Valley.

The Strathnaver arrived at Auckland, from Brisbane on Friday afternoon after a fast passage of two days 17 hours 52 minutes at an average speed of 20.56 knots. Fresh .south-west Winds and head seas were experienced. The trip down from Auckland was uneventful, fine weather and calm seas being experienced all the way;

The Strathnaver's tonnage is 22,283 gross and she' has seven decks. Her crew number 490 all told, and she has accommodation for 1150 passengers. She has three funnels, two of which are dummies and are .used as storerooms. There are two large motor launches, twelve Fleming^ hand-lever propelled lifeboats, and six lifeboats propelled by oars. . Captain R. Harrison is the commander, of the vessel and Cap tain. E. H. Starling is staff commander.