PLEASURE TRIP

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22583, 23 November 1936, Page 11

PLEASURE TRIP

STRATIINAVER'S VISIT A MIDNIGHT DEPARTURE IMPRESSIONS OF TOURISTS On the departure at midnight on Saturday night of the liner Strathnaver, in continuation of her 13-dav pleasure cruise to New Zealand, genuine enthusiasm over their brief stay here was evident from the jollity of tho passengers as they lined the open upper decks, holding streamers and calling farewells to hundreds of friends 011 Princo's Wharf. From about 10.30 onward tourists began to reassemble on board. In lounges and cabins and around the decks they exchanged their experiences ashore —some discussing their day in Auckland, others their trip to Potorua. The beauties of the city and harbour were widely praised by numerous visi-» tors. Varied Activities Some apparently spent the day with friends or hired cars. Brilliant sunshine supplied its immeasurable quota to the pleasures of the day. A perfect night also went to create a favourable impression with thoJtourists. Theatres and cabarets claimed considerable attention after dinner, and tho return of these parties to the ship practically coincided with that of tho train and taxi excursionists from Potorua. No hitch marred the facilities for transporting and entertaining tthe 220 passengers who chose the one-day tour to Potorua. Very complimentary comment was passed about the trip and the sights viewed. The hotel meals during the journey were criticised by a few of the travellers. However, this was not at all general; some regarded the food as being equal to that procurable at overseas resorts. Flights round Potorua were enjoyed by one or two of the excursionists. Hospitality Appreciated The courtesy and hospitality of Aucklanders in general were referred to in appreciative fashion by numerous persons. These factors, they said, helped to make their visit a truly memorable one. Two members of the South Australian Jockey Club attended the Hamilton races at the invitation of the committee, and were grateful for "a great day, except that our luck was not too good." Young people were in the minority 011 board, but they were even more enthusiastic, if anything, about the holiday than some of the more seasoned travellers. One said he would be back next, year for a longer stay to see more of the scenic features of the Dominion. They also praised the efforts of the ship's company to make the voyage a true pleasure cruise, by arranging all manner of deck and indoor games. Members of the crew were also entertained on shore by a trip round the city, including a visit to the Museum, and a social at night, arranged by the Flying Angel Missions to Seamen. In a Soccer match at the Auckland Grammar School against from the Rangitata, a Strathnaver team won by 7 goals to 0. Spectacular Farewell

Throughout the day the ship was also an object of much public attention, with her vast white hull and yellow funnels towering from the placid harbour waters. Promptly at midnight the ship glided astern, assisted by two tugs. Within a quarter of an hour she was swung head round into the stream. A farewell blast of the siren and she silently gathered speed as she headed out for the gulf and Wellington, her blaze of colour and lights presenting a striking picture. Passengers who hare been touring through the North Island since the ship's arrival at Auckland will rejoin her at Wellington before her departure at midnight to-night for Brisbane and Sydney. VISITORS TO ROTORUA TRADITIONAL MAORI WELCOME [nv TEI.KGRArn—OWN correspondent] ROTORUA, Saturday Over 500 passengers from the liner Strathnaver were present at the model pa at Whakarewarewa this afternoon, when with songs, pois, hakas and an address from Chief Mikaere, they were welcomed to Rotorua. The brilliant sunshine enabled the visitors to see Rotorua at its best, and even though some of them had only a comparatively fleeting glimpse of the district, owing to the necessity for them to rejoin the liner at Auckland before she sailed, it was obvious that they considered themselves well rewarded by the visit. The largest party was one of 230 which arrived by special train shortly after noon. After visiting Whakarewarewa and the Government gardens,the party left again for Auckland at 4.20 o'clock, but 98 passengers who arrived in a second train remained in Rotorua overnight. A Maori concert was arranged for tonight, and to-morrow the party will leave for Wairakei, from which 88 of them will continue to the Chateau and a smaller number to Napier. Another party of 64 passengers who had visited Waitomo Caves yesterday, arrived in Rotorua to-day. Aftor visiting Whakarewarewa they continued to Wairakei to stay the night, before proceeding via the Chateau and Wanganui to Wellington.