VISIT OF THE ROTORUA

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19365, 1 July 1937, Page 3

VISIT OF THE ROTORUA

ROYAL MAIL STEAMER SPACIOUS 'PASSENGER SHIP Uniformly fast, passages and extremely comfortable accommodation have caused the New Zealand Shipping Company’s Royal mail liner Rotorua, which arrived at Gisborne to-day from Napier, to become one of the most popular ships in the trade between New Zealand and England. Replacing the earlier Rotorua, sunk during the war, the present ship is equipped as an oil-burner and has been specially designed for the passenger and cargo trade. Built by the well-known firm of Messrs. John Brown and Sons, of Clydebank, Scotland, the Rotorua is a four-masted vessel with ai gross tonnage of 12,112, and is 526 ft. in length. She is commanded by Captain A, E. Lettington. Well-Fitted Vessel A well-fitted vessel throughout, the liner has accommodation for 154 tourist one-class passengers. Almost all the passengers are berthed and entertained in cabins and saloons amidships on the shelter and promenade decks. In the long “island” structure amidships on the shelter deck are the passengers' cabins, the purser's office, tiic baggage room and the barbers shop. Forward on the same deck is the dining saloon, broad and airy and pleasingly furnished, lighted on three sides by 3(1 large windows, with 84 scats arranged at restaurant tables for two or more persons. At the after end of the shelter deck are a number of single berth cabins; on the port and starboard hands are rows of two-berth cabins. The vessel's cabins include several with private bathrooms adjoining. . Amidships, numerous bathrooms —the after range for ladies, the forward range for' gentlemen—are conveniently placed in relation to the cabins on either side. Comfortable Cabins All the Rotorua's cabins are furnished with chests of drawers and wardrobes; each has an electric fan in addition -to natural ventilation through its own port, and all ports open on to the sheltered deck. On the promenade deck is the lounge, placed over the dining saloon, from which it is approached by interior staircases. This is comfortably and elegantly appointed with easy chairs, numerous writing tables, a grand piano, bridge tables, and luxurious settees, placed corner-wise. On the broad promenade decksome 200 ft. in length-are ample spaces for sports and dancing. Ileitis a deck piano, and lockers for deckgames. Further aft is the smoking saloon This again is a place ol comfort, with deep leathern settees in detached compartments, bridge and writing tables being conveniently disposed about the room. Other-public rooms are also at the disposal of passengers. , , The needs of the children have nor been forgotten, for there is also on the promenade deck a spacious nursery should the weather be unkind.