U.S.S. TAMAHINE

Evening Star, Issue 19186, 1 March 1926, Page 4

U.S.S. TAMAHINE

A FINE NEW BOAT PICTON SOUNDS EXCURSION STEAMER Tiie latest addition to tlio Union S.S. Company's fleet, the Tamahine, of 1,850 tons gross register, has a length of 275 ft by a breadth of 40ft. She has been specially designed, states a profusely illustrated folder iissuocl by the Marl trough Provincial Court, for the run between Wellington and Picton. Though she has a considerable number of enclosed cabins for the benefit of those desiring privacy, and for nso on week-end excursions and so forth, the nrost notable feature about the vessel is the provision of largo and comfortable public rooms, consisting of a very extensive lounge, a_ ladies' room, and a smoking room, all situated in the saloon nouse pn the bridge deck. On the deck below is a restaurant, while on the boat deck there is a fine stretch of promenade running nearly the length of the vessel.

Under ordinary conditions the Tamahino rsd!] take between three and four hours on the trip between Wellington and Picton, half the time in calm water. In the summer time she will make three trips a week each way and in addition it is intended she should make a special excursion each week-end to tho Sounds, leaving Wellington for Picton after lunch on Saturday, and returning on Sunday evening, alter a day spent in Queen Charlotte Sound or Pelorus Sound. Ordinary passengers between Wellington and Picton will also bo carried on these week-end trips. The Tamnhine has special facilities for the carriage of motor cars. Tho Marlborough plains are splendid for motoring, and the improvement under the Highways Board of the roads between Blenheim and Christchurch via Kaikonra, between Blenheim and Nelson and on to the West Coast, and between Blenheim and Westport direct via Tophonso (when a short gap is bridged), will no doubt result in many North Island people taking their ears across to Picton for a run in country now new to them. Service cars run daily between Blenheim and Christchurch, three times a day between Blenheim and Nelson, and daily between Nelson and Westport and Greymouth, all these trips being through scenes of great beauty. This is the way for people not too closely pressed for time.