MATUA ARRIVES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22497, 14 August 1936, Page 13

MATUA ARRIVES

END OF MAIDEN VOYAGE "A WONDERFUL VESSEL" USE IN ISLAND SERVICE Trimly built and smart under her coat of fresh white' paint the Union Company's new motor-ship Matua sailed into the Waitemata Harbour early yesterday morning at the end of her maiden voyage from England. A vessel of 4166 tons, she will reestablish the regular Island passenger and cargo servico which lapsed in 1932. On her voyage the Matua called at Rarotonga where she took on board members of the New Zealand Parliamentary delegation to the Cook Islands and conveyed them to various parts of the group. When they disembarked at Rarotonga again, the delegates expressed admiration for the comfort and seaworthiness of the vessel. "She is a wonderful boat," said the master, Captain A. H. Prosser, on his arrival at Auckland yesterday. "She shaped well all the way out, and was exceptionally steady." To illustrate the latter point, Captain Prosser said that flower vases left on smooth glassy tables in the saloon had not moved or fallen from where they were placed at the beginning of the trip. Manned by a "scratch" crew of 42, and carrying coal as ballast, the Matua left Hebburn-on-Tyne on June 27 and reached Rarotonga on August 2. She travelled by way of Panama and experienced a very wet but otherwise uneventful voyage. Great interest in the new motor-ship was taken by the residents of Rarotonga, and of Aitutaki, Atiu, Mauke and Mangaia, the outlying islands she visited with the Parliamentary delegation. Only two passengers were brought from the Cook Islands to New Zealand, one being a sick resident of Rarotonga, who was admitted to the Auckland Hospital yesterday morning. Thevessel's accommodation has been fully booked, however, for lier next two return trips to the Islands. A total of 5000 cases of oranges and 3000 cases of tomatoes also were brought from Rarotonga, and were opened yesterday in good condition. A group of Union Company officials and members of the public met the Matua, flying bunting from the mastheads, as she drew alongside Prince's Wharf, and there were many other visitors to the vessel during the day. The crew, which was specially signed on for the trip, was paid off on arrival, and a new crew will be engaged during the next few days. After being docked for refitting next week, the Matua is scheduled to sail for Tonga, Apia and Suva on August 27, returning to Auckland on September 9. She will sail for the Cook Islands again on September 10.