ISLAND CRUISE

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 18769, 27 July 1935, Page 4

ISLAND CRUISE

GISBORNITES RETURN i DELIGHTED WITH TOUR “FULL -MONEY’S WORTH”. A number of Gisborne residents who made the island cruise in the s.s. Mono-v.-ai during the past, three weeks returned to Gisborne Inst evening, bringing back with them the happiest recollections of the cruise) and of the many features of. the. entertainment provided for them by the Island peoples, in cooperation with the Union Steam Ship (ompa uy. “bo far as the company’s arrangements could ensure our enjoyment of the cruise, it- was ICO per cent, successful,” stated Mr. F. Berwick, one of the Gisborne party, discussing to-day his impressions of the cruise. “The people of the Islands also went the limit to make us welcome and to show us everything that they thought would interest us. If (lie weather lor the first three days of the cruise hacl been a little more kind, there would be none but the most pleasant memories of our sojourn aboard the Monowai, and of our journey through the groups.” The Gisborne people among the Monowai’s passengers comprised Mr. and Mrs. A. F. Barwick. Mr. and Mrs. .1. It. Sampson, Mr. and-Mi’s. L. Cowing, Mr. and Mrs..W- Mortlqman, sen.. Mr. rind Mrs. 11. D. Humphreys, Mrs MohcrielT, Miss L. Cinisp and Mr. 11. Wade. In the course of the cruise, Miss Chrisp elected to break her journey at Apia, and is returning next month to New Zealand.

VISIT TO TONGA After the first three days of rough weather, which only the hardiest souls among the passengers were able to withstand, the cruise developed into a delightful holiday from the. winter conditions of New Zealand.. The arrival at Tonga was signalised by . unusual excitement, for the island was farewelling its queen, who was (o join the Monowai and visit New Zealand and Australia in turn. Natives of Nukualofa made, the visitors most welcome, and gave them a special welcoming ceremony, in which the Tongan Government co-operated. An impressive feature of the entertainment at this port was the choir singing of 150 male, voices, which was wonder fully successful in the rendition of the “Hallelujah Chorus,” enthusing every music-lover on the ship. The departure of the Monowai was made the more impressive by the firing of 21 guns as a parting salute to Queen Salote, whose subjects tendered her an affectionate leave-taking ceremony. This was an “extra” on the programme of the cruise, which helped to establish the journey as the happiest ever taken by the majority of the passengers. UNEXPECTED FEATURES

Other additional and unexpected features, these being provided mainly at the expense of the company, were the fire-walking at Suva, and the special race meeting, also staged at Suva to coincide with the visit of the Monowai. The programme of the latter meeting included a handicap event for native and Indian riders, the majority of whom turned out on horses that obviously owned draught blood in some minor degree at least. The event caused the greatest amusement, and was taken very seriously by the natives and Indians especially, for though there was only one real racehorse in the field, and he was. naturally a hot favorite, the sentiment of various groups of natives urged them to support their own horses, and the hot favorite returned better than even money on the totalisator. The visit of the Monowai to Pago-Pago, an American naval base, was also an unexpected treat to the passengers from New Zealand.

The value of the cruise was not dependent upon the shore activities arranged at the various ports, however, the entertainment available on the Monowai being of a high standard and of wide variety. Every day was filled witii athletics and other "forms of activity for those who preferred them, sports being well organised, and including many novel features. Horse-racing was it ■regular favorite, and the interest of passengers was heightened by the conduct of an unofficial totalisator. “HARD-UP” DINNER AND DANCE

A “hard-up” dinner and dance proved one of the most amusing events, everyone aboard the Monowai being required to join in the fun, and the captain and officers giving the lead. Some fantastic costumes were improvised, and tho atmosphere of the occasion was maintained by the service of dinner on tables bare but lor newspapers and bottles holding candles, which replaced the usual electric illumination. The fancy dress ball winch concluded the cruise, on the last night out. from Auckland, was a real climax of enjoyment, and the hundreds of passengers joined at its close in tendering to Captain A. If. Davc.y and bis officers and crew their appreciation of the splendid service provided for their comfort.