'WELCOME, O SON!”

Northern Advocate, 4 November 1931, Page 4

'WELCOME, O SON!”

MAORI, WELCOMES RANGITIRA

FERRY STEAMER’S MAIDEN TRIP.

(Per Press Association.—Copyright.) WELLINGTON, This Day. Considerable interest was taken in the first official trip in the Welling ton-Lyttelton ferry service" of the new steamer Rangitira. She left Lyttelton last night with approximately 350 passengers, which is considerably above the average of recent weeks, and arrived at the new ferry wharf on schedule time. During the trip passengers evinced the keenest interest in the vessel, and Captain Cameron and his officers were the recipients of heartiest congratulations upon the piany good qualities of their new charge. Among the passengers were Mr A. M. Burns, chairman of directors of the New Zealand Press Association, who was the guest of the directors of the Union S.S. Company. Mr Burns says the trip was a delightful one. The new steamer was the subject of most favourable comment. Its appointments were extremely comfortable, even luxurious, and seasoned travellers were amazed at the wonderful advance which the Rangitira showed on her predecessors. There is no doubt, said Mr Burns, that the steamer would have an incentive to increase inter-island communication, and would undoubtedly strengthen the links of commerce and personal cordiality between the North and the South. To greet the new ship on her entry into the service, the ferry. steamer Maori, immediate! after clearing Pencarrow Head last night, sent a message in the Maori language by radio to the Rangitira. Freely translated, the message said: “Welcome, 0 son. The aged must give place to the young. Quit you like a man. Be strong. Be brave.” The Maori’s greeting was received by the Rangitira and acknowledged by Captain Cameron,