NEW ZEALAND SHIPPING COMPANY’S NEW STEAMER RUAHINE, DUE IN WELLINGTON FROM LONDON TO-DAY.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 7021, 8 January 1910, Page 6

NEW ZEALAND SHIPPING COMPANY’S NEW STEAMER RUAHINE, DUE IN WELLINGTON FROM LONDON TO-DAY.

This morning tho New Zealand Shipping Company’s new twin-screw passenger and mail steamer Euahine, the largest vessel in the company’s fleet, will arrive in “Wellington on her maiden, voyage from London and Plymouth via Capetown and Hobart. Much interest is attached to the arrival of the new boat, and doubtless she will be inspected by a large number of people. One-berth staterooms, for which there is a growing demand for ocean travel, is a feature of the New Zealand Shipping Company’s new liner, which was launched at Dumbarton on August 19th. Another point of interest about the vessel is the varied uses to which electricity, is put. Boots are brushed, potatoes peeled, and silver cleaned by electricity. The now steamer ,is the heaviest vessel yet launched at Dumbarton. She is the eighth that. Messrs William Danny and Bros, have built for tho JS'ow ‘Zealand Shipping Company.

The first-class passengers are accommodated in a large deckhouse amidships on the shelter-deck, and also in special staterooms on the promenade deck. The furniture for the respective staterooms has been designed in walnut, oak, mahogany, and ash. A few rooms are entirely furnished in white. The first-class state-rooms are fitted with electric fans and bells, and are replete with every convenience that make for the comfort of the passengers. . The first-class saloon is situated at the fore end of the midship deckhouse. The sides of this saloon are in waxed oak, with panelling of chaste design. The ceiling is panelled in pine and painted white, and the floor covered with oak parquetry, with Turkey carpet runners. The upholstery is in morocco, and the furnishing includes a piano and organ. The first-class lounge or drawingroom is arranged at the fore end of the* promenade deck, with tlie sides panelled in hard wood, finished in ivory white, with white ornaments in relief; the ceiling panel-

led, and-the floor covered with Wilton carpet. Ait the fore end of the boat deck are situated the first-claSg smoking-room and tbe first-class social rooms. The sides of each of those apartments are framed in walnut, with figured panels, and carved ornament in sycamore; the ceilings panelled, and the floors laid with inter-locking rubber tiles of neat design. - The number of public looms provided for the passengers is a feature of this vessel, there being no lees than ten. The second-class and third-class state-rooms and the third-class diningsaloon are situated on the upper deck <aft, and the second-class saloon at the after end of the midship deckhouse. The second and third-class passengers axe provided also with a smoke room and a lounge for each class. The whole of the main deck aft is fitted up with accommodation for supplementary thirdclass passengers, and there is mechanical in addition to the ordinary ventilation. This accommodation is made portable, so that the space may be

used for cargo when required. The vessel carries sixteen boats, four on Welin’s patent quadrant davits. The three forward holds are installed for the purpose of carrying frozen meat, the two after holds being, reserved: for ordinary cargo.' The refrigerating plant, consisting of two large engines, has been supplied by Haslara, of Derby, and is arranged on the upper deck. The cargo gear is of the most complete description, with three steam winches, each being fitted to four of the'hatches, and two steam cranes to the remaining hatch. The vessel is lighted throughout with electric light. Electric power, besides being used for ventilation and lathe-driving purposes, will be intro’nced in the stewards? department. The whole of the electric installation was fitted by the builders. The machinery for driving the ship consists of two sets of triple expansion engines and five cylindrical boilers, supplied by Messrs Denny and Co., Dumbarton.