TOURIST LINERS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22059, 15 March 1935, Page 10

TOURIST LINERS

STRATHAIRD DUE TO-DAY SIXTH CRUISE OF SEASON On her second visit to Auckland, the 22,28-1-ton P. and 0. liner Strathaird is due from Brisbane at six. o'clock this evening. The present season has witnessed a great increase in tourist cruises to New Zealand waters, this being the sixth since last November. In addition to the Strathaird's two cruises, visits from Australia have been paid by her sister-ship, the Strathnaver, and by the Orient liners Oronsay and Otranto, while the Cunarder Franconia called here in the course of a world cruise. The combined tonnages of the liners amount to more than 127,000 tons, and the vessels have brought over 4500 tourists to the Dominion. The Strathaird's list of over 1100 passengers is the largest of the season. Comprehensive arrangements have been made by the Governmor.t Tourist Department, in conjunction with the New Zealand Shipping Company, agents for the vessel, for the entertainment of the visitors in New Zealand. Four officers of the department are travelling on the Strathaird, mapping out tours for the passengers.

Immediately on the liner's arrival, a party of 54 will leave by car for a tour embracing Waitomo, Rotorua, Wairakei, the Chateau, Wanganui and Wellington, while 22 will make a tour to Waitomo and Rotorua by car, returning to Auckland to-morrow. A special train will leave at 7.45 a.m. tomorrow for Rotorua, taking 240 excursionists for a one-day trip. They will arrive back in the city at 10.15 p.m. A further party of 120 will leave by special train at nine o'clock to-morrow morning for Rotorua, and they will continue via Taupo and National Park, rejoining the ship at Wellington. About 50 tourists will travel with this party to Rotorua and Taupo, and will proceed to Wellington via Napier. Various other small parties will make slightly different tours, while sightseeing trips about the city and suburbs also have been arranged. The Strathaird will be open to the public between 2.30 and 4.30 o'clock to-morrow afternoon, and the proceeds from a small admission charge will bo devoted to the funds of the Missions to Seamen and the Shipwreck Relief Society/ The vessel is scheduled to sail at midnight to-morrow for Wellington, and she will leave Wellington for Sydney at six o'clock on Monday evening.