FLOATING PALACE

Taranaki Daily News, 4 January 1927, Page 9

FLOATING PALACE

VISIT OF THE CARINTHIA ENTHUSIASTIC TRAVELLERS. DELIGHTED WITH THE SIGHTS. . The Carinthia, that gigantic, palatial liner, chartered by some six hundred globe-trotting Americans for a world’s tour, has come and gone from Wellington; gone with visitors who are carrying away with them lingering, indelible memories of the delights and transcendent beauty of New Zealand’s wondeiful scenic attractions, states the New Zealand Times.

In these far-flung parts, one is apt to gain a wrong conception of those who hail from the States—they are frequently pictured as overbearing boosters of their own country, seeing things through distorted horn-rimmed spectacles! But that illusion has been entirely erased, for the Carinthians were loud and. enthusiastic in their praise for everything they had seen during their short sojourn in the Dominion.

The visitors’ reception to Auckland on Christmas Eve tended to dampen more than their buoyant spirits, but their farewell from the capital city, on the other hand, lent a decided contrast to the elements that prevailed in the much-boosted "winterless north.” The clerk of the weather saw to it that the Americans were shown just how benignant the climate of Britain of the south can be, and when the colossal liner first showed up in the harbour entrance about seven o’clock in the morning of the last day of the year, its passengers were greeted with a sight that they will never forget. But for a slight haze that hung over the highest peaks, the blue empyrean was cloudless, while the liarhour itself was a veritable picture, being as calm as a mill pond. SEEING WELLINGTON. A little after eight o’clock the Carinthia berthed at Glasgow wharf, and before long those aboard—not the full complement, for a large number had journeyed from Auckland, visiting Rotorua and Waitomo Caves on the wayset out to see the sights of the city. A fleet of cars was at their disposal, and during the morning a visit was paid to all points of interest. The tourists were much impressed with all they saw, and were particularly delighted with Wellington’s beautiful marine drive. The afternoon was left free, the members of the party spending their time according to their own inclinations. Some were seen to set off from the vessel in white plus-fours and with golf clubs slung over their shoulders, while others again requisitioned cars for further motor jaunts, or went curio hunting. , The “all aboard” signal floated across the tranquil harbour at 6.30 o’clock, and half an hour later the Carinthia dropped its moorings and headed out to sea. The vessel throughout the day proved of considerable interest to visitors and citizens, and an unceasing pilgrimage was made to Glasgow wharf. The fine lines of the vessel, however, eould not be fully appreciated by an external view, and some of the more privileged gained permission to inspect -the palatial Interior, which is replete with every modern convenience, calculated to make travelling, usually tedious, a real pleasure. The Carinthia visited Wellington last Christmas, and the passengers spent their celebrations on board not many miles off the rugged New Zealand coast. This year they saw the New Year in smilar fashion, as the tourists are proceeding to the West Coast sounds, and thence to Hobart. IMPRESSED WITH THE DOMINION. A Times reporter gained the impression from several of the tourists that everyone was immensely pleased with the attractions that they had the opportunity to explore during the past week. They regarded Rotorua and the Waitomo Caves as wonderful, and were much impressed with the variety of scenery and pastoral scenes that they encountered in the course of their travels through the country. Mr. D. B. Smith, who as a tourist agent for some years has sent many tourists to New Zealand, conveyed that everything had far exceeded his expectations. He enthused about the beauty of the rural country, and its air of prosperity. He regarded the Dominion as the most prosperous country yet visited, and has taken several movie films for the purpose of encouraging more tourists to visit this country. Mr. Smith repeated the advice that if New- Zealand wants to build up a great tourist traffic she must have better hotels. American tourists were willing to pay for good service, he said, and if the capital was found to make such hotels, he felt that the revenue would be immediately forthcoming.