MARIPOSA ARRIVES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21113, 22 February 1932, Page 10

MARIPOSA ARRIVES.

NEW MATSON LINER. ADMIRATION OF VESSEL. EFFICIENCY AND ELEGANCE. GREAT PUBLIC INTEREST SHOWN. Auckland could scarcely have failed to be captivated by the efficiency and elegance of the Mariposa, first, of the three new Matson liners engaged in the. transpacific service, which arrived at Auckland shortly after 6 a.m. on Saturday with 356 passengers on board. Sho is scheduled to sail for Sydney at six o'clock this morning and during her brief stay the vessel was the centre of unprecedented interest. A reception by invitation on Saturday afternoon was attended by representative citizens. No formal ceremony took place, but, the evident admiration shown by the visitors was more eloquent than mere speeches. This admiration was won deservedly by the Mariposa, which contributes so much that is new to the Dominion's store of shipping knowledge. The greater part of the vessel was open for inspection. Impression of Roominess. An instant impression of roominess was obtained by the visitors. Much of this was probably brought about by clever designing and colouring with the object of giving the idea of airiness for the Mariposa's tropical needs. There was the remarkably cool main dining saloon, with its thoroughly distinctive design. The furniture was coloured a mild green, the predominant tone in the mural decorations. The wall panels bore excellentlypainted and cheerful studies of birds. Perhaps the dining saloon was more representative than any other portion of the liner of the Mariposa's distinctions. Upon an appreciation of the sheer artistry in the room came the knowledge that it could accommodate all the first-class passengers at one time. Wh.:t was true of the dining saloon was maintained, with the same scrupulous regard for finish, elsewhere. Foremost American artists and designers had taken significant parts in the creation of the Mariposa.

A Summer Atmosphere. A curiosity was that so many contrasting styles in design should have tho same atmosphere. The impression of coolness, luxury and spaciousness given by the liner's strikingly white exterior' was repeated inside. The Mariposa was of the spirit of summer, with something of the characteristics of the countries served by tho liner. Enchantment crowded upon enchantment in the eyes of the visitors. Tho predominating tone of gold in the smart dance floor, the appeal of the rows of deck chairs on the broad promenade decks, the gymnasium on the boat deck, the appointments of the the swimming pools, the deck tennis courts between the two hooded funnels —there was .n seemingly endless parade of interests. In the smoking room there was a pleasant flavour about the sporting prints. There, was fascination in the knowledge that beaches for sunbathing were creifted aboard ship by means of white sand and ornamental trees. Talking pictures, a daily newspaper, a virtual village of shops, including two barbers'' stores and two beauty parlours, were further features. At night the Mariposa gave Auckland's waterfront a newer appeal. The liner's bulk was a dusky whiteness of indeterminate limits, broken by chains of light. The floodlighting of the two funnels completed the picture. There was, in Auckland's mind, a conviction that the Mariposa, the Monterey and tho Lurline will form a stately and famous trio. . SPECIAL TRAIN CHARTERED. GENERAL MOTORS' EXECUTIVE. A special (rain was chartered by General Motors, Limited, to convey to Wellington several of the firm's executive officers, who arrived by the Mariposa on Saturday. The train, which was composed of a "cruising car," a sleeper and van, left Auckland at 11 a.m. on Saturday and was due to arrive back at 4.20 a.m. to-day. The party consisted of Mr. J. D. Moonev, vice-president of the. company, his assistant, Mr. C. R. Osborne, and Mr. T. Simpson, director and works manager of Vauxhall Motors, Limited, Luton, England, who were on the Mariposa. Air. T. Holden. director of a Sydney branch of General Motors, Limited, Mr. A. N. Lawrence, director of the company's operations in Australia and New Zealand, and Mr. W. McHardy Forman, general manager in New Zealand, who were already in Auckland, met the American executives on their arrival. "Conditions in America have reached stability now, even if so far they have not shown any signs of a return to the 'boom' years," Mr. Moonev said. "The motor industry cannot fail to improve. Old cars cannot be used indefinitely; they have to be replaced in the end." VISIT TO ROTORUA. MAORI CONCERT PRAISED. Although the Mariposa was scheduled to be only 48 hours in Auckland waters tho Government Tourist Department, was able to arrange several sight-seeing tours which won high tributes from the passengers who travelled on them . A special do luxe train took nearly 100 tourists to Rotorua, where they arrived shortly before three o'clock. In the evening a Maori concert was arranged and a very fine programme was presented by the Arawa party. Several enthusiastic sportsmen were organised into a fishing party, which went on Lake Rotorua shortly after 4 a.m. yesterday, and although conditions were rather windy good sport was obtained. The train left Rotorua on the return journey at 8.55 a.m. and arrived in Auckland at 2.30. Immediately on arrival the tourists were met by a fleet of cars and taken on a sight-seeing tour of Auckland and suburbs. Two smaller parties went by car to Waitomo Caves, en route to Rotorua, where they arrived late in the afternoon. The remainder of the passengers were able to see Auckland and its suburbs thoroughly during the two days spent here. A special New Zealand luncheon was provided for visitors at fhe Grand Hoi el on Saturday, and afterwards a number of the tourists was taken for drives round the city. Those who went on the tour to Rotorua expressed themselves lis being delighted with the whole trip. The thermal activities and the Maori concert won unstinted praise, while special mention was made of the train arrangements. "Wo found the carriages very comfortable and very ,well appointed, and it was evident that, the track had been well laid," one tourist said last evening. Mr. Christian Holmes, a prominent business man of Santa Bar bara, said tho concert was one of the finest things lie had ever scon. *