LATE SHIPPING

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LV, Issue 17146, 31 December 1929, Page 8

LATE SHIPPING

•She new oeontes The Orient Co.'s newest liner, the Orontes, recently arrived at Sydney on her maiden voyage from London'. Many improvements have been embodied in the new vessel. These are the result of experience gained with the earlier 20,000ton vessels, and it is the intention of the directors to introduce them also in the other 20,000-ton vessels of the fleet. The fact that the company has spent about £1,000,000 a year during the last five years is evidence of its belief in the future of Australia. The improvements are so numerous that to go into details would occupy too much space here, but their general effect seems to :be to give greater roominess and airiness in all the parts of the ship which are devoted to the accommodation of passengers. Tlio public rooms on "B" deck, with their tasteful decorations, artistically designed furniture, and wide entrances, the generous open deck spaces available for promenading, and the extensive games deck, arc improvements which voyagers will be bound greatly to appreciate. Tlio vessel is 664 ft. in length over all, ?6ft. in breadth, and 4711. in depth from "K" deck. The gross register is 'ZO.OCO tons, and the displacement 26,193 tons. Accommodation is provided on hoard for 500 first saloon passengers. There are, in ail, eight decks, including the boat deck. First-class passengers are accommodated on five decks, the state rooms including a large number of single berth rooms, a special suite, and 13 special cabins with private bathrooms. The dining saloon, which is on "F" deck, has been designed to recall the 17th century English Renaissance. It is decorated in soft tones of ivory, with gilding effectively introduced. * The plaster ceiling has enriched beams running across the ship, and its raised centre part, or "well" has mould ed and perforated bronze panels depicting famous navigators. Forward of the saloon is a foyer the full width of the ship, and designed en suite with the saloon. Entered from the foyer is a reading and writing-room, and a, small dining-room for private dinner parties. The other public rooms arc on the "15" dock high up in Ihe ship. The lounge, the area and height of which are impressive, has dare mahogany fluted columns, with silver caps and bases. The panelling is Borneo cedar. A deck dancing space, which may be converted by means of hinged screens into an enclosed ballroom, separates the lounge at its after end from the cafe—another fine apartment. The smokingroom is panelled in zebra wood set in Australian black bean. The accommodation for 1 bird-class passengers reaches a very high standard.

Auckland: Arrived 5.50 a.m.. Maungflf rini, from Sydney. Sailed, 7.30 a.m., Mataroa, for Pie Inn. L'yttelton: Arrived, at 5.55 a.m., io. day, Kurow, from Timaru ; at 6.40 a.m., Wnhine, and at 7 p.m., Mahaiia, from Wellington Sailed, at 10.45 a.m., lo< day, Canadian Conqueror, for Piinedin.