DOMINION MONARCH

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23277, 21 February 1939, Page 14

DOMINION MONARCH

CAPTAIN DELIGHTED POPULARITY PREDICTED FINE FIRST PERFORMANCE VISITORS FOR NEW ZEALAND [from our own correspondent] LONDON, Feb. 2 The commander of the now Shaw, Savill and Albion 27,000-ton liner Dominion Monarch, Captain \\. H. Hurtman, took over the vessel for the run down the coast from Wallsend-on-Tyne to King George V. Dock, in the Thames. He was delighted with her. "She is a wonderful ship," said Captain Hartmnn when he reached London. "We did not try her at full speed because the engines have not been run in, and she was kept at what we call 'set revolutions.' There was a remarkable absence of motion and vibration, and sound from the exhaust was entirely absent. Trials for the loaded ship will be run on the outward voyage to New Zealand, but 1 am not sure of the locality yet." Captain Hartman said be was much impressed by the spaciousness of the deck room for the comparatively small number of passengers carried. The ship was exceptionally comfortable and particularly well heated, a fact appreciated on the cold trip down the English coast. There were radiators in every cabin. "She is going to bo a popular ship," he added. Passengers on Maiden Voyage

Among the passengers to New Zealand by the vessel are Mr. H. J. F. Mills and Mrs. Mills. They will return by the Rangitata. Mr. Mills is going out to attend the conference on shipping freights. Mrs. Mills will be visiting New Zealand for the first time. Mrs. F. Haudvside, of Wellington, is also returning by this new vessel.

It is announced from Neweastle-on-Tyne that others among the passengers will include Mr. Norman M. Hunter, general manager of the Wallsend Shipvard of Messrs. Swan. Hunter and Wigham Richardson. Limited, and Mrs. Hunter; Mr. G. H. Wright, general manager of the builders' Neptune Engine Works, and Mrs. Wright; Mr. K. 0. Keller, general manager of Messrs. W. Doxtord and Son, Sunderland, and Mrs. Keller; and Dr. and Mrs. J. T. Bate.v, of Newcastle. The ship's staff will include two ladies who will divide day duty at the new and very complete telephone switchboard apparatus which has been constructed by the General Electric Company. They are Miss M. Anderson, a member of the staff of Messrs. Swan. Hunter and Wigham Richardson, and Mrs. Merritt, whose husband, the late Mr. A E. Merritt, was a member of the accounts department of the Shaw, Savill and Albion Company's office in Leadenhall Street. This is a new departure for vessels on the London-New Zealand route. Remarkable Telephone System The staff at Wallsend-on-Tyne made presentations to Miss Anderson before the ship left the yards. She saw the keel of the vessel laid, and she was at the launching ceremony without then knowing that she was to receive appointment to the ship. The complete telephone system on the liner comprises a manual switchboard,. as well as a small automatic exchange. The switchboard is equipped for nearly 400 lines to cabins and service points. There is a telephone in every cabin. In addition to making inter-cabin calls, the passengers will be able, when in port, to make outgoing and receive incoming calls over shore lines on every type of telephone system. The new instrument which is used for the lirst time in this installation is a wall-mounting set in an ivorv-tinted moulding that harmonises with any scheme of decoration.

The Dominion Monarch left Southampton last Friday and is due at Wellington on March 25 and at Auckland on April 1. A Press Association message from Wellington says:—A wireless message received from' the Dominion Monarch states that an enthusiastic farewell was given to the liner when she startedon her voyage from England to link New Zealand. Australia, South Africa and the Mother Country for the first time by direct service. Aircraft and tugs escorted the liner down the Thames and at Worcester cadets lined the rails and cheered the passing vessel, which is partlv officered by former Worcester men. More aircraft, tugs and small craft escorted the liner down Southampton Water, aeroplanes diving in salute overhead. Passengers gaped as a Super-Marine Spitfire, Britain's fastest fighter, streaked overhead at an enormous speed with a shattering roar. The marine pilot Mas dropped off Nab Tower and Captain Hartman gave the order "full speed, all engines," while the pilot boat's siren wailed farewell and flags fluttered "Good luck" at her masthead. The Dominion Monarch rapidly gathered speed. The liner w<s now doing 18 knots against a strong head breeze and rough sea. Her engines were not running at their maximum power. Notabilities 011 board include Viscount Rothermere. Admiral Sir E. Gaunt and Sir Norman Leslie. Among the liner's total of 220 passengers are 2o German-Jewish refugees for Australia and four for New Zealand. BOOKS ABOUT CHINA AUCKLAND AUTHOR SECOND TO BE PUBLISHED [from our own correspondent] LONDON, Feb. '2 A. second book on China has been completed by Mr. James Bertram, of Auckland, 1932 Rhodes Scholar. Its early publication is announced. The title will be "North China Front." There will bo simultaneous publication in the United States under the title of "Unconquered." The author is hoping to return to China early in the spring, but his plans are not finally decided. At present he is doing a considerable amount of talking and writing about China, and he is working with the China Campaign Committee on Medical Relief, the Japanese boycott, and so forth. In the last few days he has been visiting Trinity College. Cambridge. Mr. Bertram's earlier book 011 China is prominently featured in the window at the High Commissioner's Office alongside books of other well-known New Zealand writers. The books displayed are constantly being changed so that all writers are well represented in turn, and sales at the counter inside the entrance hall continue to be very gratifying.