NEW LINER'S VISIT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21112, 20 February 1932, Page 6

NEW LINER'S VISIT.

MARIPOSA DUE TO-DAY. WEEK-END IN AUCKLAND. TOURIST ARRANGEMENTS. 'Among the most up-to-date ships in the world and one of the largest to visit Auckland, the Matson Company's new 19,000-ton liner Mariposa will arrive at 6.30 this morning from Los Angelas on her maiden voyage. She will berth about eight' o'clock-at Central Wharf after inspection by the port health officer and the customs officials. Her stay in Auckland will be for about 48 hours, and at S-.en o'clock on Monday morning she will leave for Sydney and a cruise of the East. On board the Mariposa there are over 350 passengers. Of this number 27 will land at Auckland and 240 will make the cruise to the East, the remainder leaving the ship at Sydney. About 120 passengers will join the vessel at Auckland for the trip to Sydney. For the past few days the Government Tourist Department has been busy completing arrangements for sight-seeing trips for the tourists during their brief stay. It was expected that the Mariposa would reach Auckland at eight o'clock this morning, but her voyage from Suva, where she called en route, has been speeded up so that she will arrive in ample time for the passengers to disembark and leave on the tours arranged. The district manager of the Tourist Department in Auckland, Mr. J. W. Clarke, joined the ship at Suva, and he has ascertained from the tourists what tours they prefer. The chief clerk of the department, Mr. S. J. Collett, arrived from "Wellington yesterday morning. Briel Visit to Rotorua. A party of 90 tourists will leave by 6pecial train for Rotorua at nine o'clock this morning. They will lunch at Frankton Junction and will reach Rotorua at 2.40 p.m. They will be met by motorcars at the station and will be taken on a sight-seeing drive, returning afterwards to their hotel. A special Maori concert has been arranged for this evening. The return trip to Auckland will be made by special train leaving Rotorua at 8.50 to-morrow morning and arriving at 2.30 to-morrow afternoon. Sight-seeing cars will meet the party at Auckland and will take them to places of interest about the city, returning to the ship at six o'clock to-morrow evening. Another party of 130 tourists will spend to-day in driving round Auckland. 'A special all-New Zealand menu has been prepared for the visitors at a luncheon to be provided at the Giand Hotel. The luncheon will include toheroa soup, Thames flounder, Russell crayfish in mayonnaise form, Tauranga asparagus, cold turkey and ham,' beef, spring lamb, ham and/ ox tongue and other dishes and desserts typical of New Zealand. The sight-seeing tour will bo continued after lunch, and the visitors will be returned to the ship about four o'clock this afternoon. Among the Passengers. It is probable that another party will Jeave for the Waitomo Caves to-day. This party will go across to Wairakei, .■where the night will be spent, stay for a time at Rotorua and return to Auckland to-morrow evening. It is possible that parties will go to the Waitomo Caves and back to-morrow. Among the passengers on the Mariposa is Mr. Randolf Friml, a well-known pianist and the composer of such famous light operas as "The Vagabond King," ."Rose Marie," "Firefly" and "Katinka." It was hoped that a concert, with his assistance, could be arranged for to-mor-row evening in the city, but this has proved impossible. No forward passenger list has been received in Auckland, but advice has been received that among those on board is Mr. Hiram T. Horton, of San Diego, who arrived In his yacht Vileehi last October and returned home with his wife and daughter by steamer for Christmas. It is possible also that Mr. John K. Caldwell, of Washington, who has been , appointed Consul-General for 'America at Sydney, is on board, but no definite advice has been received. Arrangements have been made for a private inspection of the Mariposa this afternoon, and a limited number of invitations has been issued to people to visit the liner between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. One 'of the most outstanding features of the Mariposa's visit is that it will result in what is believed to be the first trail) to run between Auckland and [Wellington for private purposes. Six of the executive members of General Motors, Limited, are arriving by the liner and they will leave Auckland at 11 o'clock this morning for Wellington by special train to inspect the company's property there and to confer with the local officers. The journey is expected to occupy about 12 hours, the train coneisting; of a de luxe cruising car, a de luxe sleeping car and a van. The return trip will be made to-morrow. A Palatial Vessel. Nothing more complete in accommodation and comfort has been seen on any liner to visit Auckland than on the Mariposa. The new liner accommodates 704 passengers, 475 first-clfiss and 229 cabinclass. First-class public spaces have been arranged on A deck, with a library, writing room, lounge, theatre, smoking room and a men's card and clubroom adjacent. On this deck also there is a largo ballroom Verandah, extending the width of the ship and entirely enclosed with adjustable glass windows. On the dome over the social hall there is a new feature in a game deck, which provides a tennis court, hand-ball court and space for other sports. The Mariposa provides more promenade deck space per passenger than any Cther American-built ship. The spacious romenades, enclosed with adjustable glass windows, are available to passengers in any kind of weather. There are two outdoor swimming pools, built into the vessel, which will prove a welcome innovation for travel in the tropics. Convenientlysituated are dressing room, gymnasiums and ,electric cabinet baths. There is a number of de luxe staterooms with large private verandahs. Two special de luxe suites on C deck consist of two double bedrooms, living room, maid's room, dressing room and trunk-room. Specially-equipped and decorated, there are no finer apartment suites on any liner. A complete telephone system is installed throughout the ship, every room, cabin and first-class, being provided with a private telephone. Ventilation has been arranged for the circulation of either natural or heated air. Forced ventilation changes the air in enclosed spaces from every three to five minutes. The sides of the vessel ore protected from outside heat by cork insulation.