RAINBOW CRAFT.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 12 February 1927, Page 9

RAINBOW CRAFT.

A NYONLB who visits a Chinese flower

boat feels that he lias stepped inside a rainbow. These pleasure boats of the wealthy are fitted up to gratify the five senses, but chiefly to please the Oriental eye with gorgeous colours (says the New York “Times'’). One belonging to a mandarian has two or three small rooms at bow and stern, and a large , centraL saloon enclosed on three- sides with beautiful stained glass windows separated by narraw black panels

With a strange blending of Orient ami Occident, the theree round tables in the inside of the saloon are marbletopped and the - ebony clock, surmounted by a bronze, .figure, speaks of New York.' while the luxurious easy chairs are of bamboo, lacquered scarlet and cushioned in yellow brocade. On each side of the magnificent chandelier, glittering with prisms, hang cheap kerosene hemps with white porcelain shades. Two black carved ebony tables support ordinary earthenware flowerpots containing growing plants. On either side of the. door, blue vases, Oft high, hold lilies and fonts.

The ceiling is painted with scenes from the history of the Mings, and with warriors and legendary monsters. An opium layout in cloisonne and silver is spread on a teakwood table, conveniontly near a red satin couch heaped with gav silk pillows. The teakwood table is upheld by dragons, standing on their tails, and with glowing ruby eyes. At the end of the saloon, above a teakwood locker inlaid with the signs of the zodiac, in mother-of-pearl, hangs a scroll engraved with verses from the Chinese poets. In this floating palace of pleasure the mandarian feasts, drinks, and smokes opium witli his friends or in the company of some fair favourite. Such boats were a common sight on Chinese rivers until the revolution.