MATUA'S VOYAGE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22618, 5 January 1937, Page 8

MATUA'S VOYAGE

LARGE CARGO OF FRUIT INCIDENTS ON CRUISE Apart from the refusal of the health authorities at Apia to allow passengers for Western Samoa to land there, the cruise to the Islands of the Union Steam Ship Company's motor vessel Matua, which arrived at Auckland from Fiji yesterday, proved thoroughly enjoyable. In addition to a number of 2sew Zealand passengers who made the round trip, several persons came to Auckland from the Islands and others made the outward voyage. A large quantity of fruit and general cargo was brought back. Fine weather was experienced all the time and the passengers took full advantage of this to enjoy the Christmas festivities which were arranged. Dancing was held on the festooned deck and the special dinner included a huge Christmas pudding.

On the passage from New Zealand the Matua took to Tonga the Crown Prince Tugi, who was returning home after studying in Australia. He received a vociferous welcome at Nukualofa and was provided with a guard of honour on leaving the ship. Other events of the voyage included the dropping of mail at Tin Can Island and the sight of the Bank Line vessel Inverbank at Nukualofa discharging cargo which had been damaged in the fire which broke out on board when the ship was about 130 miles from Tonga early in December. To all outward appearances, however, the Inverbank did not seem to be greatly damaged. The Matua's cargo for New Zealand included 20,000 cases of bananas, 600 cases of pineapples, 100 sacks of kumaras, 700 melons, 300 pumpkins, 125 casks of orange juice, and 200 casks of cocoa beaois.