NEW LINER.

Hokitika Guardian, 18 September 1937, Page 6

NEW LINER.

FURNISHINGS AND PAINTINGS. AIR-CONDITIONED FLATS. LONDON, August 21. Three New Zealanders—Mr Brian O’Rorke, Christchurch, Mr F. H. Coventry, Wellington, and Mr J. Hutton, Wanganui—are responsible for some excellent decorative work on the new Orient liner Orcades, of 23,390 tons, which will leave on her maiden voyage to Australia on October 9. The vessel will be seen in New Zealand toward the end of 1938.

Mr O’Rorke, whose work was a feature of the Orion, sister ship to the Orcades, has again been given charge of every decorative detail of the vessel, including the furniture, carpets and curtains. Mr Coventry’s efforts have been confined to the design and pro duction of a large green glass screen of a new type with a wavy surface taking the shape of leaves. Symbolic Representations. Mr Hutton, who ha s been assisted by his wife—formerly Miss Helen Blair, daughter of Mr Justice Blair—has concentrated upon decorative painting. His work is to he seen in several cabins, in the library, and in the tourist lounge. The decoration in the latter is particularly striking. It represents in a series ol symbols the Orkneys from which the Orcades takes her name.

Along the horizon stretch the misty outlines of the islands. In the loreground, backed by the mysterious shapes of the standing Stones of Stronsay (Stonehenge of the islands) are grouped "fishing and agricultural gear, a chart of the islands and some of the local wild flowers. The majority of the painting has been done with spraying machines. Accommodation is provided in the liner for 463 first-class passengers and 605 tourist class. The first class accommodation is in 303 single and twoberth rooms on three decks, and also on another deck forward of the foyer. That for the tourist class is in 270 attractively furnished cabins. Flats at Sea. A particularly interesting feature of the first class accommodation is the inclusion of two air-conditioned fiats, each with its own bathroom, entrance hall, boxroom, living room and pantry. The area occupied by each of these flats is considerable .and they are claimed as a “landmark’ in the development of comfort in sea travel.

The children’s playroom is a separate “house” of its own. There are many devices for entertainment and the use of the imagination. The floor is laid as a sea with islands whose shallow beaches have shells lying on them.

The open air swimming bath has flanking shutters and wide steps for sun bathers. Opening on to the bathing space with wide disappearing windows, is the Tavern, decorated in a stainless brilliance of steel and glass peculiar to the modern bars. It is de signed as part of the swimming hath lay-out, blit by night or in cool weather it forms a place for informal parties. Permanent Bandstand. The dancing hall in decorated with contrasting areas of colour and talk ing pictures may be shown as an alternative to dancing. There is a penn..n out handstand which can he used as a stage for concerts.

The Orcades has a cruiser stern, onefunnel and one mast. The lunnel iabout nine feet higher than that o. the Orion, in the hope that it may throw the products of combustion stil. further from the ship. The Orcades G a twin-screw, turbine-driven vessel, an.. her speed is given as 21 knots.