THE NEW ARAWA

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXX, 26 November 1936, Page 11

THE NEW ARAWA

REPLACES THE lONIC

After a long and honourable service extending 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 with 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. This particular style of travelling is increasing in popularity in all parts of the world, and to meet the present day requirements the Arawa is fitted out as a tourist class vessel, cabin class passengers being catered for by the Akaroa, Tamaroa and Mataroa. In the reconstruction of the Arawa .the Shaw, Savill and Albion Line has spared no expense to make this vessel the latest and most up to date of her type in the New Zealand service, and her accommodation and appointments will be a revelation to overseas travellers.

Sleeping accommodation has been arranged for 292 passengers, the major part 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 bathroom, 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 supplied 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 22nd January, arriving at Wellington on 27th February 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.