THE THIRD ARAWA

Evening Post, Volume CXXIII, Issue 50, 1 March 1937, Page 11

THE THIRD ARAWA

ARRIVAL TODAY

TOURIST CLASS LINER

The third Arawa to enter the New Zealand trade arrived at Wellington this morning and berthed at the Pipitea Wharf at the conclusion of her long voyage from London and Southampton. Formerly the Aberdeen and Commonwealth Line's Esperance Bay, the Arawa is now on her first trip to the Dominion under, the house flag of the Shaw, Savill, arid Albion Company. Bad weather was encountered for about eight or ten; days after leaving the Homeland, but the voyage as a whole was uneventful. . ~

A famous name is perpetuated by the Arawa, whose predecessors have been historic vessels in the annals of Dominion trade. The first Arawa was built on the Clyde in 1883 for the Shaw, Savill Company, and was a pretty ship with two funnels and a clipper bow, carrying a fair spread of canvas to assist the single screw. In addition to being a remarkably large vessel for.those days—she was 5000 tons gross register—she was also very fast, and held the New Zealand record in both, directions for many years, coming outward via Cape Town and Hobart, and going Home via Cape Horn. The second Arawa was built on the Tyhe in 1907; and was a twin-screw steamer of 9600 tons. She operated on the same route as the «vst Arawa until the outbreak of the Great Wai1, during which she was employed as a transport for New Zealand troops. After the war she resumed her place in the New Zealand trade until 1928, when she was sold. .

The present .vessel will be remembered by many as the Esperance Bay. She is a vessel of 14,176 tons, and was built in 1922 |by W.1 Beardmore and Company. A : remarkable transformation was accomplished by the Shaw, Savill, and Albion Company when it acquired her' for the New Zealand trade. The passenger accommodation has been entirely remodelled, and the cabins fitted and furnished to a standard of excellence far ahead of the present ideas of tourist class travel. Bedsteads and Pullman berths, all fitted with interior spring mattresses, take the place of the ordinary steamer berth. Each room has a wardrobe and a combined chest of drawers and writing table, and hot arid cold running water, electric fan, and a lo ( ng dressing mirror are, provided in each room. Each bed has a reading light, and the most modern system of strip lighting has been used in the cabins as well as in the, public rooms. Practically evc«ry cabin has a porthole, many of them have two, and conditions for- a one-class tourist liner are exceptional indeed. PUBLIC ROOMS. The public rooms. have been enlarged and refurnished, and a new verandah cafe has been built across the whole width of the promenade deck, the boat; deck1 extended, and a well-equipped gymnasium built on that deck. '.. The panelling and furnishings in the smoke room and lounge would suit the most fastidious person. The former is situated on the boat deck and is panelled in polished hardwood; the furniture is upholstered in leather and moquet'te. The lounge is designed on simple lines with a large fireplace recess having a striking mirror treatmentl contrasting with, the polished wood, surrounds. The walls are panelled and painted in shades to harmonise with the decorative, scheme. At the after end of B deck, the, entrance lounge is more modern in character than the other public rooms, and lends itself to a definite scheme of decoration. There is a fine landscape painting at one end with furniture, curtains, rugs, and everything else in harmony. Well ventilated and cool, extending the full width of the ship, the dining room is most attractive with panelled and painted walls. Adjacent to the main dining room is a delightful room for the children, in which the walls are finished with amusing paintings. Quiet comfort has been the aim of the writing room, which is furnished with a close-fitting carpet, writing tables, and a bookcase in polished hardwood with a wellstocked library- Settees .and easy chairs are provided for comfortable reading. The walls are painted in soft tones of colour relieved with mirrors and specially, designed electric wall brackets. The forward end has a wide observation window. . . The Arawa will leave here at o o'clock tonight for Lyttelton. •