A LUXURIOUS VISITOR.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 18893, 7 January 1927, Page 13

A LUXURIOUS VISITOR.

STEAM YACHT SURPRISE. Flying the pennant of the Koyal Yacht Squadron at tho mainmast, tho steam yacht Surprise entered Lyttelton Harbour yoßtcrday .morning, and after picking up tho pilot in the stream, berthed at No. 4 wharf. She came from Picton, which port she left the .previous day. Owned by a Welsh millionaire, Mr Godfrey H. Williams, of Aberpargyn, tho Surpiise. is tho largest vessel of its kind which has ever visited Lyttelton. She is a trim vessel, of most graceful lines, with tho spic and span iippeaiunce of a naval vessel. The impression of the liavy is further lioigiitcnerl by the uniforms of tho crew, which ara similar to those worn by bluejackets.

On deck u most noticcablo feature is the number and variety of boats carried. In addition to two regulation lifeboats, there a'n four motor-launches and motor-pin-naces, a Canadian canoe, and, what is new to theso waters, a "hydro-glider," driven by a small aeroplane propeller, and capable of attaining a speed of 35 miles an hour. There is ample deck space aft for tho owner and 1113 guests. The Surp.-iso was at ono time owned b.v the late King Leopold, of Belgium, and most of the luxurious fittings hai'c been retained, and have been added to by tho present owner. Mr Williams is accompanied on his present world tour by Mis Williams and their two daughters, aged 10 and 12 years. Tho vessel is manned by a crew of 50 officers and men. In addition, Mr Williams is attended by his valet and Mrs Williams by two French maids and a manicurist. Thcro is also a governess for tho two children. Tho equipment of the vessel includes every modern refinement and comfort. A vontilating system, controlled in each room by a switch, supplies just the desired amount of fresh, cool air, and is a boon in the tropics. Each Bitting-room has its own loud-speaker, and tho radio equipment is of tho latest design. Thcro aro no cabins for the owner and his friends. Instead there arc luxurious state-rooms, with full-sized beds. The particular suite of the late King Leopold is known as the grey suite. There are marble wash-basins and built-in wardrobes. In Mrs Williams'fl sitting-room is a beautiful fireplace, and the furnishings are Elizabethan. There are some rare antiques and paiuting3, and somo almost priceless pottery. Mr Williams's library is in the French Empire slyle, gilt and brocade predominating. Much of (he decorative work has been carried out by French arlis-ts. Tho palatial dining-room is wonderfully furnished, and there aro hung in it some most valuable paintings, including a Gainsborough. There are also a pot of magnificent gold plate and two solid silver punch bowls. All the apartments are equipped on a similarly luxurious scale, and are a revelation of Old World art. The Surprise is driven by twin quadruple expansion engines, and is an oil burner. She has a speed of 12 knots. Yesterday the crew were busy landing stores and equipment for conveyance to Lake Wanaka, where the owner and Mrs Williams and friends will spend some weeks. They will camp at tho lake, and are taking their own staff with them. Tho Surprise sails to-day for Akaroa, where she will remain for about ten weeks. She then sails for Auckland, where sho will dock for cleaning, prior to setting out on the Homeward voyage, via Pacific Islands, Los Angeles, and Now York.

Tlie vessel it may be noted, was built at Paisley, Scotland, in 189 C, for an American millionaire. Sho was sold to the late King Leopold, who owned her ior thirteen vears. Later she was owned successively bv Cantain J. Cohen and tie late Mr F. G. Bourne, of the Singer Sewing Machine Companv. Just before the war she w a« purchased by the Russian Government, and it is said that at the time of the Russian revolution her crew mutinied and murdered thoir o3icers.