NEW LUXURY STEAMER

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXI, Issue 304, 8 December 1931, Page 4

NEW LUXURY STEAMER

VISITOR DESCRIBES STRATHNAVER. “It was my first voyage on an allelectric steamer, the largest passenger vessel of the kind in the world, and the trip was a revelation to me in many ways,” says Mr W. W. Service, who travelled on the new P. and 0. steamer Strathnaver from Colombo to Sydney. Mr Service, who is visiting the Dominion, is the passenger superintendent for Australia and New Zealand for Macdonald, Hamilton and Co., the big Australian shipping house. “The amazing steadiness and total absence ot vibration were remarked upon by all the passengers and the luxurious cabins and public rooms were as restful as they were beautiful. The amplitude of the deck space for both first saloon and tourist class must be seen to be understod. In bad weather or in windy conditions, hinged glassscreens rtut in portions of the clicks and enable sports, concerts or dancing to go on without interruption. The great marble swimming bath and the gymnasium fitted with electric, equipment for exercise, weight redaction, etc., were as popular with passengers as the splendidly equipped playgrounds and nurnries were with the children. Extra provision has been made for the comfort and convenience of women travellers, including the ironing rooms with the use of electric irons, the drying rooms, the laundry, the up-to-date hairdressers, and the Army and Navy Stores, with their six plate glass show windows, and £6OOO worth of attractive stock. “From London to Bombay there were nearly 1200 passengers on board, a record number in peace time for any B. and 0. steamer, and although many disembarked at Bombay, others joined there and at Colombo. If one may judge from the appreciative comments heard on all sides, the Stratlmavcr and Sfraithaird will be warm favourites with New Zealanders and Australians in both first and tourist class sections. “When it is realised that the new steamers are 22,500 tons and are capable of a speed of 22 knots, the importance of their advent will be recognised. I feel confident that they will attract increasing numbers of oversea travellers to and from the Dominion.” Mr Service is accompanied by Mr C. N. Harbottle, passenger manager of the New Zealand Shipping Co., Wellington, and Mr El G. Lamb, representing the agents for the P. and 0. branch service in Sydney.