IONIC TO BE REPLACED

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXVI, Issue 152, 12 June 1936, Page 8

IONIC TO BE REPLACED

Drawn from N.Z. Trade

Mr E. V. Bevan, acting New Zealand representative of the Shaw Savin and Albion Co. Ltd., has received cabled advice from his London principals that the lonic, scheduled to sail from New Zealand during March 1937, will bo replaced by the Arawa, formerly the Esperance Bay, which has been acquired by Shaw Savill and Albion Co. Ltd. This vessel has proved popular in the Australian trade, and to meet New Zealand requirements extensive remodelling of the passenger accommodation is being made for the comfort of passengers, and to 320, as against over 600 in the Australian trade. A striking feature Is the installation of many single-berth rooms, and the largest cabin has been limited to berths only. The Arawa has largo public rooms, and the dining-room could acco-ri-modate all passengers at the one sitting. A special playroom has been provided for children. On the main passengei deck special accommodation will be made for additional bathrooms.

Other extensive alterations will be made for the comfort of pasengers, and the route will be the more 'nteresting, as Kingston, as well as Curacao, will be included in this vessel’s itinerary, rendering her probably the most attractive unit itt the New Zealand trade as a tourist-class vessel.

The new Arawa, a vessel of over 14,000 tons, will leave New Zealand on March 27, arriving at Southampton on May 2, an ideal time for arrival in view of •'he Coronation ceremonies taking place on May 12, a voyage of 36 days, including ports of call. The lonic is scheduled to said from London on September 4 and is to leave New Zealand on November 11, and this will be her last voyage to New Zealand, after which she will be sold, thereby concluding a very long and honourable service in the trade between the Dominion ami the United Kingdom.