THE NEW ROTORUA.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17031, 3 May 1923, Page 1

THE NEW ROTORUA.

FINE PALATIAL STEAMER. The Rotorua, which is the latest addition to the New Zealand Shipping Company’s fleet, will provide a high standard of comfort and amenities exclusive in character, tor passengers between New Zealand and the Old Country. This great ship of 12,50(1 tons register has saloon accommodation for first-class passengers only, whose numbers will be limited to eighty. All will lie berthed and entertained in cabins and saloons amidships on the shelter and promenade decks. In the long “ island ” stxucture amidships on the shelter deck are the passengers’ cabins, the purser’s office, the baggage room and the barber’s shop. Forward cjn the same deck is the dining saloon, broad, airy and pleasingly furnished, lighted on' three sides b.v twenty large windows, with eighty-four seats 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 tand starboard hands are rows of two-berth cabins. Amidships, numerous bathrooms—the after range for ladies, the forward range for gentlemen—are conveniently placed in reJation to the cabins on either side. Abaft the bathrooms is the baggage room, which will be always accessible. All the Rotorua’s cabins are well and amply furnished with chests of drawers, wardrobes, etc, 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, iron! which it is approached by interim 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 deck—some 200 feet in length—are ample spaces for sports and dancing. Here is a deck piano, and lockers for deck games, etc. Further aft, in another island house, is the smoking saloon. This again is a place of comfort, with deep leathern settees in detached compartments, bridge and writing tables being conveniently disposed about, the room. The needs of the children have not been forgotten, for there is, also on the promenade deck, a spacious nursery where youngsters may hold revel over nursery tea, plav games and pursue their lawful occasions under j cover should the weather be unkind, i It is considered that voyaging under these uncrowded conditions will present just that amount of society which is necessary to enjoyment of social life at sea, and will contrast, for those who prefer it. with the more populous conditions usually obtaining in pas- ' senger liners. The Rotorua will be the largest vessel in the direct route from New Zealand to the United Kingdom.