MOTOR-LINER. ARRIVES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20402, 2 November 1929, Page 12

MOTOR-LINER. ARRIVES.

RANGITIKI AT AUCKLAND.

VISIT PAID TO PITCAIRN.

Hundreds of interested people on both shores stood ami watched the New Zealand Shipping Company's- 17,500-ton motor-liner Rangitiki as she entered Auckland Harbour for the first time at, noon yesterday on her second voyage from England. Equal in size to the Aorangi, the Rangitiki looked a very modern vessel indeed with her high superstructure and large yellow funnels. She brought 509 passengers, and tho medical and customs formalities kept her at anchor for a long time. She berthqd in the early afternoon at Prince'is Wharf, where she will be open for public inspection for two hours on Sunday.

Tho passengers, who landed at Auckland had not been ashore during the 35 days' voyage, except for a brief early period at Madeira. An outbreak of smallpox in the Panama Canal zone compelled everyone to remain on the ship at Colon and Balboa, which were reached and cleared respectively on October 11 and 12. In spite of this passengers spoke of the voyage as a very pleasant one; the weather being favourable and the ship being very well equipped and comfortable to travel on.

The Rangitiki hovo-to off Pitcairn Island at 1.30 a.m., and in spite of this awkward' hour the island boats put off to irade as usual and nearly all the passengers were on deck for the occasion. The 307 third-class passengers included a party of boys under the Church of England farm settlement scheme, some girls for Flock House and a party of domestics. A few nominated immigrants were on board,, travelling to join relatives in the Dominion, but the majority in the thirdclass were returning New Zealanders.