GOOD-BYE TO AORANGI

New Zealand Times, Volume LII, Issue 12076, 2 March 1925, Page 7

GOOD-BYE TO AORANGI

ON WAY TO SYDNEY PASSENGERS MA*KE OVERLAND TRIP FROM AUCKLAND. FINAL STAGE OF JOURNEY. During the brief stay of the Aorangi at Wellington her passengers saw the city in one of her happiest moods, for the weather was pletsant during the whole of her stay, and- under such circumstances the. capital. city is , always interesting to visitors. -A party of 32 passengers, however, left the ship at Auckland in order to pay a visit to Rotorua, catching the limited express for Wellington on Saturday hnorning and arriving in plenty of time for* her departure. They had heard something of the scenic attractions of -the.f Dominion,-and Mr Will Lawson- and Mr G. W. Spence, of the Education Department, New Plymouth, who were fellow'passengers, soon got in touoh with the Tourist Department in Auckland and arranged the tour through to Wellington. They were delighted with all they saw, And very pleased with the arrangements made on their behalf. Rotorua and Wairakei particularly appealed to them. GREAT SEND OFF. 1 Almost to the minute the Aorangi’s hawsers were ’cast off, and at the appointed time she. began to moye away, to the ringing cheers., of the public, on the . wharf and various waterfront officials and workers. It was a fine morning, and her hunting was flying .in _the breeze: Onee again she was a full ship, and was on the .final - stage of her maiden voyage, and her passengers will be in Sydney on Tuesday. As she pulled away the many streamers from the ship’s side gradually severed, and running into the stream she was greeted with a good-bye from almost every vessel in the harbour, She returned the compliment with several loud blasts from her own whistle, increased, speed, and in a few minutes disappeared from sight. There were also crowds at Seatoun, Lyall Bay and Island Bay-to see nor pass. 1 ' VISITORS! FROM NORTH. Among those who inspected the Aorangi, outwardly at any rate with some interest, -were firemen from various parts of the North Island. They were on their way down to Christchurch to take part in the annual confferenco and contest, and sailed by the ferry steamer on Saturday night. The teams .comprise five' men from each brigade; including "the officer in charge., Many had made the journey... earlier in- the week, but there was a large number who left the journey as long as possible.

Between 150 and 160 brigades are represented at the conference from all parts of the Dominion, and .this year the number of -entries for the competitions, which take place next Wednesday, is the record one of 609.

THE PUBLIG WELCOME COMMANDER’S APPRECIATION, The following radio message, sent by the commander of the R.M.M.S. ■ Aorangi, Captain Crawford, was received by the Union Company yesterday : “RM.M.S. Aorangi, at sea: Best thanks- to the people 'of Wellington, young and old, for the splendid recep-. tion given to -the Aorangi at Wellington. The enthusiasm displayed was much appreciated., I. very .-much regret that- circumstances compelled the cancellation of the public inspection of the ship. ’ Tell the people of ' Wellington -that they will be heartily weloome whenever my-ship is. in your harbour. Au revoir! Yours sincerely, R. Crawford.” .”. ,>■ ■