ORONSAY ARRIVES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22955, 5 February 1938, Page 14

ORONSAY ARRIVES

ANCHORED FOR NIGHT HAPPY PASSENGERS GAMES AND DANCING COMMANDER'S MESSAGE The Orient cruise liner Oronsay of 20,000 tons gross, arrived from Brisbane last evening and anchored in Pangitoto Channel. The vessel, which has more than . 700 passengers; was scheduled to reach Auckland: at 3 p.m., but as indicated earlier in a wireless message from the ship, she did not arrive until about six o'clock. She will berth at 6.30 this morning at Prince's Wharf. In a-wireless message to the Herald last night the commander of the Oronsay, Commodore Sir Charles Matheson, stated:—"When approaching Three Kings the weather became very stormy. Visibility was not good and 1 requested that the wireless beacon on Cape Maria van Diemen be started to enable us to fix our position. This was done and good results were obtained, enabling the ship to remain on a safe course without reducing speed.

"Safety assured, the ship was steered in a direction to make the North Cape light, which, owing to the misty weather was eventually seen when we were about seven miles away. The weather seemed to be clearing about 5.30 a.m., but closed down again at about 6 a.m., when the wind attained a force of 60 miles an hour with heavy rain.

"The ship behaved in a most seaworthy manner and a course was steered to arrive at Auckland at 5.50 p.m. Owing to the heavy wind which then prevailed it was impossible to berth the ship, so we anchored in Rangitoto Channel to await better weather. Dancing to Ship's Bands "The passengers, although very disappointed at missing a wonderful opportunity to see some of the beautiful spots for which New Zealand is noted, settled down on board and played 'housife.' Many others took 'the floor and danced to the excellent bands provided, thus an unpleasant position was met which caused little heart burning. "The plungings of the pilot boat were watched by many interested passengers, and the pilot received a rousing cheer on boarding the ship. It is hoped the weather will moderate to allow the ship to moor alongside early in the morning." - Sight-Seeing Excursions Stormy conditions were encountered by Customs officers and shipping company ■ officials who went down the harbour yesterday afternoon in the launch Olive Jean to meet the Oronsay. They returned without boarding the vessel. Various tours for the Australian visitors have been arrauged by the Tourist Department and, although the late arrival of the liner has meant the curtailment of some, most of them will he carried 'out. About ISO passengers will leave this morning in Railway Department cars for Rotorua. From Rotorua 80 will travel to Wellington by way of Wairakei, National Park and Wanganui. Another party of 20 will continue by car from Rotorua to Wairakei and Napier, where they will join a train for Wellington. Trains for Rotorua Two special trains for the visitors will leave for Rotorua this morning, one departing at 7.40 a.m. and the other at 9 a.m. These are expected to carry approximately 230 tourists. About 100 of these will motor from Rotorua to the Chateau by way of Wairakei. They will entrain at National Park for Wellington, Another 20 will travel from Rotorua to Waitomo and New Plymouth, proceeding to Wellington by train. . . , The Oronsay will maintain her schedule in spite of her delayed arrival. She is expected to leave at 11 o'clock to-night for Wellington and Sydney.

Commodore Sir Charles Matheson, D.5.0., R.D., R.N.R., in command of the liner Oronsay, has been commodore of the Orient fleet since 1932. He is also the only member of the Royal Naval Reserve voyaging east of Suez, who may claim the rank of commodore R.N.R.. In 1931 he was .A.D.C.. to the Sing and was subsequently appointed a member, of the advisory committee of the RiN'.R. at the Admiralty. He was created a knight bachelor in the Coronation' honours last year. At the beginning of the Great. War Sir Charles commanded various destroyers and subsequently was appointed "master" of the jnystery. ship, Ql9. For the remainder of the war he was engaged in that dangerous ' aspect of the anti-submarine campaign. After a thrilling encounter with a German submarine in the English Channel in 1917 the Ql9 sank the enemy craft and herself returned to Plymouth Sound in a sinking condition. After the war Sir Charles returned to the service of the Orient . Com party and has served ■in practically all its Ships.