ARAWA TO REPLACE IONIC ON N.Z. SERVICE

Northern Advocate, 1 December 1936, Page 10

ARAWA TO REPLACE IONIC ON N.Z. SERVICE

After a long and honourable service extendinfg over 34 years the lonic has departed, and her place in the New Zealand service will be taken by a larger and completely modernised steamer, which will be called the Arawa, thus resuscitating a name associated witlf the New Zealand trade since 1883.

The pioneer shipping company in the New Zealand trade, the Shaw, Savill and Albion Company, is concentrating on one-class travel. In the reconstruction of the Arawa the company has spared no expense to make this vessel the" latest and most up-to-date of her type in the New Zealand service. Sleeping accommodation has been arranged for 292 passengers, the major part of such accommodation consisting of one or two berth rooms, but no cabin has been designed to accommodate more than four persons. The feature of certain cabins on A deck is that such rooms have their own private bathrooms, quite a new feature in this type of vessel. The cabins are roomy and spacious, hot and cold running water systems having been installed in all rooms. Cabins have also been fitted with electric fans and the furnishings have also been improved, wardrobes, chest of drawers, and long mirrors having been fitted. Another important innovation is a gymnasium (situated on the boat deck), and here may be found stationary bicycles, rowing machines, electric vibrators and grips, and electric pummeller. Situated also on the boat deck is the smoking room, but the main recreation rooms are situated on A deck, and consist of writing room, lounge and verandah cafe, which extends to the full width of the vessel. The dining room is on B deck and a children’s room is also in close proximity to the main dining room.

The Arawa will leave Southampton on January 22, arriving at Wellington on February 27 to land passengers before proceeding to Lyttelton and Bluff to discharge cargo. Her commander will be Captain T. V. Roberts, R.N.R., who is well known in the Australian service as Commander of the Largs Bay.