"MALOLO” TOURISTS

Hokitika Guardian, 4 December 1929, Page 3

"MALOLO” TOURISTS

M ALOLO REACHES AUCKLAND. -• AUCKLAND, December 1. On a pleasure trip, 350 American citizens disembarked from the steamer Malolo at Auckland this morning, to see what they can of New Zealand in three days. “ The Sail Francisco Chamber of Commerce around the Pacific Cruise, 1920,” displayed on a largo banner hung at the side of tho steamer, tells the nature of the tour, which began on September 21st, and is expected to end on December 20th, when the Malolo is due hack at San Francisco. This is the first American party which has chartered a steamer to visit tho countries, English-speaking and others, which border the Pacific. Women are in the majority among the passengers in the Malolo. The men include leaders in business and professions from various parts of the country, while most are from California. There are 20 States represented and also the territories of Alaska and Hawaii. The Malolo left Sydney at 7 a.in. on Thursday, and dropped anchor in Waitcmata Harbour a few minutes before 7 a.m. today. A welcome to New Zealand was extended by an official party, which proceeded to the Malolo in the stream, the Hon. Mr Cobbe representing the Government. Owing to the shortness of the vessel’s stay here, no time was lost, after berthing, and by 9.15 a.m. approximately half the passengers were on route to Rotorua by train, and others were entering a fleet of motor-ears, in which they were driven to points of interest in and about the City. The first party returns from Rotorua to-morrow afternoon, when the other section of passengers will be leaving for Rotorua. The Malolo leaves for Suva on Tuesday niirlit. The visiting party is headed by Mr C. C. Moore, n former president off the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce, who is chairman of tho Cruise Committee. and by Mr AT. R. N. Lynch, vicepresident of the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce. “ We carry no handbags or samples, rather wo bring something in our hearts,” said Mr Moore. 11 Wo bring ourselves and our friends from tho United States to learn something of your country, and others bordering tbe Pacific, and to aid in our small way in fur-

thering international peace and understanding. We do not come to increase our exports, but rather by friendly contacts to increase your exports to our country. Although a seller is tolerated a buyer is thrice welcome.” A strong sentimental bond existed between California and New Zealand said Mr Moore. Within a fifty miles radius off San Francisco there lived no fewer than S(XJO people who had been born in New Zealand. He referred to the value as international links of such movements as the ,Boy Scouts. The basis of the tour was pleasure, he said. Jt had to be in order to induce those taking part to spend, in the aggregate, probably a million dollars, but many of the passengers would not he justified in (taking time purely for that and so the Serious purpose in undertaking the tour was a gesture, or more than a gesture, of tho reality of international goodwill.

PLEASED WITH ROTORUA

ROTORUA, Dec. 3

Prior to the departure from Auckland of the tourist liner “Malolo,” the manager of the American tourists expressed the opinion that the hotel and transport arrangements at Rotorua were far superior to those experienced at other places on the tour. The drivers were especially eulogised for tue information l’reelv given by them. 'Phe tourists are delighted with the Jakes district, and its thermal wonders. 'l’lie Government Tourist Department handled the tour, and the R.M. 'l'ransport Company were responsible for the car organisation. There were 42 closed cars made available. Great regret was expressed at the short duration of the visit. Enquiries were also made for aeroplane facilities to fly to Auckland. *’ ' FIREMAN’S THEFT. AUCKLAND, Dec. 3. Til the hotel robbery case, when O'Reilly came before the Police Court this afternoon. Chief Detective Hammond said the police had communicated with the accused’s uncle at Wellington, and a full refund of the stolen money would be made. “He should have been given six months.” said Magistrate Hunt. “He is fined £5. and is ordered to be placed on bis ship,”

ANOTHER. “MALOLO” FIREMAN AUCKLAND, Pec. 3 T'his afternoon, William Beattie Wallace, another fireman on the “Malolo” was charged with being, disorderly while drunk. Chief Detective Hammond said, that Wallace had entered his office at the City Police Station iust before noon, and had started to argue concerning. O’Reilly. “I told him to get out, because he was very argumentive, and when I stood up to open the door, he gave me a shortpunch on the nose,” said Detective Hammond. s A fine of Cl was imposed.