ORIENT CRUISE

Southland Times, Issue 22013, 12 May 1933, Page 8

ORIENT CRUISE

VISIT TO NOUMEA. ORONSAY’S PASSENGERS. DELIGHTED. When the Orient liner Oronsay returned to Sydney from her Easter cruise to Noumea the story of the cruise as told enthusiastically by passengers indicates that the trip was full of incident and vivid experiences—a thoroughly enjoyable sea holiday which was truly a “sunshine” cruise. Mr Tom Watson, General Manager of • Tooth’s Brewery, summarized the passengers’ feelings with regard to service, catering and entertainment at the farewell dance prior to arrival at Sydney, paying the highest tributes to the Commander, Captain C. G. Matheson, and to the Orient Line.

Early in the voyage the passengers received a welcome surprise when the Commander announced that they were to see Lord Howe Island and Ball’s Pyramid. The islands were in sight when passengers awoke on the second day out and their majestic contours left a strong impression. Ball’s Pyramid is a remarkable rock formation rising sheer out of the water for 1816 feet. One side has the aspect of a medieval castle, turreted, and standing high on a rocky pinnacle. Another view shows two plain faces diminishing as in a perfect pyramid to the towering and needle-like point. It lies 124 miles south east of Lord Howe Island. These striking sights so early in the voyage made a very good start to the cruise.

The first evening out from Sydney a dance was held and the passengers quickly mixed. The second day was Good Friday and in the evening there was community singing in the big lounge. On Good Friday morning and again on Easter Day, church services were held in the ship’s lounge. They were taken by Captain Matheson, who has a wide reputation for the manner in which he conducts divine service. On the third evening (Saturday) there was another dance and the ship’s orchestra provided a number of new English favourites. On Sunday evening there was an enjoyable Treasure Hunt. The next day, Easter Monday, was spent in Noumea. On a later evening one of the most enjoyable shipboard events, a vaudeville entertainment, took place to a packed “house” (the lounge). A gymkhana was held and on the evening prior to arrival at Brisbane there was a very successful fancy dress ball. There were gay scenes and constant applause in the dining saloon when the passengers’ secretly prepared costumes came to light. A few days prior to the arrival of the Oronsay at Noumea a cyclone, unusual (because the last was 45 years ago) and extremely severe was experienced by the islanders. In spite of the troubles they had been through the residents extended the heartiest welcome and hospitality to the Oronsay which established such a happy contact last Christmas time. Practically all the tourists went off on motor excursions.

In the morning there was a most amusing native cricket match, the players wearing only their native costumes. The bats are huge and heavy; the ball, which is hard, is thrown, not bowled; no pads are used. Both the players and the ball received hard knocks, although when the ball bounces off a Kanaka’s head it does not appear to trouble him much. At times the ball was hit astounding distances and, as there are no boundaries, the batsmen ran till the ball was retrieved. The applause consists of uniform whoops and rythmical clapping and beating of sticks. Late in the afternoon the native dance was performed in a square near the waterfront. The “Pilous Pilous” is weird and most impressive. In the evening the passengers were the guests of the citizens at a dance at the Town Hall. It was very gay and most cosmopolitan. Thursday and Friday until 4 p.m. were spent at Brisbane and on the evening of departure Captain Matheson’s masterpiece of entertainment —the race meeting—was held. The course was a triumph of realistic detail and the totalisator windows were heavily patronized.

The cruises scheduled by Orient 20,-000-tonners in the winter are by Otranto to Papua by way of Brisbane, the Whitsunday Passage arid the Barrier Reef, in June; by Oronsay to New Hebrides via Brisbane, in August, and by Orama to Noumea via Brisbane in September.