ON HOLIDAY BENT

Hokitika Guardian, 18 June 1938, Page 6

ON HOLIDAY BENT

TRIP IN PACIFIC

WEST COASTER’S EXPERIENCES

Writing from the steamer “Swaterlioldt” on May 25th, a V> est Coaster on a holiday trip coudmies his description ot Ins journey as loumvs :

The toat was due to leave Sydney at 12 o’clock on Thursday, 26th May. A

passenger, however, who went do an town early in the morning did not make his appearance at that hour, and the captain detained the ship lor an hour. Jhe young fellow not then coming along, the ship steamed oil without him.

Ail the -passengers thoroughly enjoyed the two day’s stay at Sidney, and the time was mostly spent in visiting friends and sight-seeing. •Ifhe chief attraction of course was the wonderful Zoo at Taronga Park across the harbour. In addition to the wonderful collection of birds, beasts and fishes, an amusing side-line was put on. pertouning poineranian dogs, also a large tiog that went through*a number of tricks, and lastly a most amusing performance, a monkey riding round on the back of the dog, cutting a number of antics, and finishing up by riding a bicycle round the ring, and looking just like a wizened old man.

The weather in Sydney was decidedly bad, and we saw very little of the sun. Still the drought was beginning to get j serious and the rain that had fallen very mildly over the States was stated to be worth millions to the country. We steamed out of Sydney harbour very quietly and out into the open sc i again made due north for Port Moresby. This is about a five days’ run j from Sydney with average woatliei. j Fortunately for all tile bad sailors, the sea has been wonderfully calm. For a couple of days the coast has been hugged, and at night one could see tho lights of towns along the sea front. But as Northern Queensland bears round to the north-west, and we are steaming due north the coast has been lost to view now. As we are steaming north, the temperature seems to be rising each day, so that by the time the Equator is reached, passengers will have a fair idea of what hot weather means. All heavy wearing apparel has been discarded, and light clothing is the order of the day. On board this ship dinner is partaken of at a very late hour, viz., b o’clock. This seems to me to Uc altogether too late an hour, for it is not over until 9 o’clock. Of course it does not matter much to those who do not retire until 2 or 3 m the morning, but to those who are used to regular hours if is a different matter. The captain, doctor, chief officer and chief engineer dine with the passengers, and very sociable homely fellows they are. The rest of the officers and crew dine aft.

In the dining' room there is one long table and several.smaller ones. I have Yh'eHionbur’ of beffng'Tiedd"of One table, and the captain is second from my right. We lost two passengers at Sydney, and took three on, so are not the least bit over crowded. At Port Moresby, in New Guinea, we drop two and take on six. Ist June. Arrived at Port Moresby at 7 this morning after a very calm trip irom Sydney. Outside the harbour we saw a steamer hard and fast on a coral reef, lost on her maiden trip. The township looks very peaceful and calm,, lying sheltered in a fine harbour. Will try and post this letter from here, and 1 understand an air mail operates from this port. We stay only two or three hours, and then away again for Sourabaya in Java, about seven days’ run. The weather is undoubtedly getting warmer, and one now sleeps with scarcely any bedclothing. Have just passed the doctor, to whom the arm lias to be shown, and with a good look into the eyes one is passed on. We get a small amount of news from the outside world while on the water by-radio, and was pleased to see that things are looking well in the search for. oil at Kotuku.