CRUISE BY LINER

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21414, 11 February 1933, Page 12

CRUISE BY LINER

VISIT TO THE FIORDS MONOWAI AT MILFORD SOUND ENTERTAINMENTS ON BOARD [by telegraph—OWN correspondent] WELLINGTON, Friday An ideal summer holiday trip was enjoyed by the 270 passengers on the Union Steam Ship Company's liner Monowai, which returned this morning from an excursion to the West Coast Sounds. Tho weather was perfect throughout. The Tasman Sea along the entire coastline remained as smooth as a landlocked harbour, and each section of the elaborate itinerary was completed almost to the minute. Early on Monday evening passengers from all parts of New Zealand boarded the vessel as she lay at Pipitea Wharf. They included New Zealanders, Australians and a sprinkling of visitors from j England. America and the Continent. The vessel raised anchor during the night and when tho dressing bugles sounded on Tuesday morning the Monowai was speeding down the coast of tho South Island. The red roofs of Westport and the rocky promontory of Cape Foulwind brought interested groups to tho rails. At 4.30 p.m. there was a rush to the port rails for the view of Greymouth basking under the late afternoon sun. Signal Hags from the shore spelt the message, " Wish you a pleasant voyage," and the Monowai answered "Thank you!'' The nearest peaks of the Southern Alps were sighted in the twilight, Mount Cook towering into the eastern sky. A motion picture programme was screened at night and a leeturette 011 the West Coast Sounds and the Milford Track was given by Mr. J. A. Malcolm, of the Government Tourist Department. Early morning brought tho vessel to Milford Sound. As the vessel entered tho Channel the last traces of mist cleared and a scene of unforgettable grandeur was revealed. Pockets were fired and the ship's siren was blown, the echoes shattering tho silence. When the Monowai reached her anchorage she lay in the heart of the Sound surrounded by mountains. Until nine o'clock the Monowai remained at the anchorage and various parties made launch trips to the Bowen Falls. After the Monowai had turned and was headed for the entrance, she passed the Government steamer Matai, on her way to land stores and supplies for gold prospectors. Tile two vessels hailed each other, the liner with her booming siren and the smaller steamer with a shrill whistle. An afternoon call was made at Milford, when passengers bound for the track were landed. So successfully had the itinerary been adhered to that Captain Davey decided upon an additional treat. It was announced that the liner would steam on Thursday to Pclorus Sound, there to anchor for the night. The last full day of the cruise was packed with amusement, a sports meeting being added to the usual deck programme. As the afternoon wore on the Monowai nosed her way into Pclorus Sound, and steamed to Tennyson Inlet, where she dropped anchor at 5 p.m. The presentation of an address of appreciation, signed by the passengers, was made to Captain Davey and the ship's personnel. The cruise concluded this morning, when the Monowai left Tennyson Inlet at 5 a.m. and reached Wellington at 9.30 o'clock.