THE NEW LINER.

Northern Advocate, 25 February 1925, Page 5

THE NEW LINER.

THRONGED WITH VISITORS. ' . - EXCITEMENT ON THE WHARF. AUCKLAND, This Day. The Union Steam Ship Company's new liner Aorangi arrived yesterday afternoon. The port medical officer journeyed down the harbour in a launch, with the result that the Aorangi was enabled to berth without anchoring, as is customary with overseas boats. Nearly 650 guests attended a reception held on board in the; afternoon.. They were received by Captain Crawford. There was no set entertainment, the guests finding ample pleasure in an inspection of the beautiful vessel, which was a revelation to most of them. Great interest was taken in the children's nursery and the gym-

nasium. As the guests filed aboard they were presented with flowers. The ship's orchestra added to the gaiety of the proceedings. When the vessel approached the wharves all points of vantage along the waterfront were thronged with people eager to see her. She was attended by a number of launches. The shipping in port wets bright with bunting and the hoarse-throated sirens of the steamers bellowed a welcome.

Aided by a tug the Aorangi slowly moved to her berth, and by 2 o'clock was lying at rest. She had reached her first port of the Antipodes, of which an enthusiastic Canadian writer has proclaimed her queen. .

There was a great crush on the wharf last nig'ht of people eager to go aboard, but only a small proportion could be accommodated. Nevertheless, liearly 3000 visitors were admitted aboard. At 9.30 there wore hundreds outside the gate. Under pressure the gates gave way arid the crowd temporarily took charge, but with the help of wharf officials and police order was restored .without further unpleasantness.—Press Assn.