SOUNDS CRUISE.

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 659, 12 January 1933, Page 5

SOUNDS CRUISE.

Wanganella Will Go to Milford. SOME OVERLAND TOURISTS. (Special to the ** Star/') WELLINGTON, January 12. The revival of the Milford Sound steamer excursion after many years of neglect has revealed to the steamship companies that there is a source of additional revenue worthy of attention. So popular was the Huddart Parker Company’s proposed trip from Wellington to the. Sounds by the new motor ship Wanganella that the list filled quickly, and, although a large number of intending tourists found themselves too late, there is still a waiting list of over fifty who will make the trip if accommodation can be given at the last moment. New Zealand passengers who have secured bookings total 130 in the firstclass and 65 in the second-class. The Wanganella will be a full ship when she leaves Wellington for the Sounds on the evening of Monday, January 16. Her first-class accommodation totals 304, a somewhat small number for a vessel of 10,000 tons, this being due to the large proportion of single cabins. As the Sounds are so seldom, visited, and there are no lights, and some difficulty in getting anchorages, the Wanganella will carry a special pilot. Captain Post, formerly the master of the Government lighthouse steamer, is making the trip for this purpose. The Sounds are 440 miles from Wellington, and the Wanganella should reach Milford Sound at daybreak on Wednesday, thus enabling the passengers to spend a full day in this immense arm of the sea, and leave on the return journey in the evening, Wellington being reached on Friday, January 20. Some of the New Zealand passengers intend to make the overland trip, and a party will join the Wanganella in the Sounds, while another small party will leave at that point. If future excursions provide for a two days’ stay in the Sounds, a very attractive tour to Sutherland Falls, thirty-three miles from the sea, could be arranged. The Union Steam Ship Company’s fast steamer Monowai is now scheduled to make a similar trip to that of the Wanganella. She will arrive from Sydney on February 6, and leave in the evening for Milford Sound, where Wednesday, February 8, will be spent, Wellington being reached on the return trip on the Friday, the day of her departure for Sydney. The fares quoted for this trip are in line with those for next week’s excursion, viz., £8 first class and £6 second class, from Wellington to Wellington inclusive.