WHEN THE AORANGI SAILS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21100, 6 February 1932, Page 4 (Supplement)

WHEN THE AORANGI SAILS.

Dear Miss Morton.—Two weeks ago I went to see a friend off on (he Aol'angi. to I lon niuhi, mid J want to tell you about (lie interesting two hours t spent on board. J lie boat was scheduled to leave at JI a.in and shortly after 0 o'clock 1 was on board Everybody seemed tremendously busy, that is. with the exception of myself. Stewards and stewardesses appeared and disappeared; bell-boys in neat uniforms ran here, there and everywhere; officers popped out on deck, issued a few instructions, und departed; great trollies of luggage were being brought oil board, and people laden with flowers and parcels had already commenced to arrive. We went down in the lift to my friends cabin. Tt was the dearest little cabin I have, ever seen, wit h two littlo bunks and a tiny dressing table. Drawers and cupboards were everywhere, and a reading and bell were attached to each bed. went upon deck again, where crowds of friends were having last hurried conversations with tlio passengers. A small girl was crying lustily because her " daddy " could iif>l go to Tlouuluhi with her, and a little dog, bound for United States of America, was barking angrily. They seemed the only two unhappy people on the ship. Wo slipped inside again, and flew round seeing everything we possibly could. The boat is furnished beautifully with thick lovely carpets, and ferns and pot-plants everywhere. Nobody seemed to bother about us, so we peeped into the spacious dining rooms, the writing room and the beautifully appointed nursery, and nearly all the. other rooms of interest. Hut 11 o'clock was drawing near, and tlio bell warned us that wo must say our last good-byes. Everything was confusion on the decks now. Thero were many sad tears mixed with laughter and kisses, and then visitors were on the wharf, tho gangway was up and amid a, shower of gay streamers the boat was ofT. away from New Zealand shores, bound for America. My happy morning on board the Aorangi was over, and all that remained was a wisp of coloured paper tightly clasped in my hand. —Your sincere friend, Sheila Quinn, 3, Tennyson Street, Mjunt Edon, Auckland.