FATHER CHRISTMAS VISITS LINER AT SEA

Chronicle (Levin), 30 December 1947, Page 2

FATHER CHRISTMAS VISITS LINER AT SEA

AUCKLAND, Dee. 29. Ncarly 600 pas.se ugeis on the "Matson steamer Marine, Phoenix which. called at Auckland todav, sat dowu to Christmas diuuer last Thursday jusi after tlie ship had picked up tlie hrst liglit in the Fiji Islands. The formei troop carrier, wliicli was making her eighth SQutlibound voyage from Sun Franeisco as a passenger vessel; In ouglv 166 passengers for New Zealand an.l was joined by 130 including members Of the Boronvanskv ballet before she sailed for Sydney tonight. Four davs out from San Franeisco a Canadian passenger, Mr. Henrv W. Imyland, aged 1-8, died of pneumonhi and lieart trouble. He was travelling to Svdney writh liis wife, two daughters and son. His body was embahned foi burial in Australia but he was subseCjhently buried at sea, ihe service being eon'ducted by the Rev. Leslie Blonierley. Nearlv £400 was spent by the company in providing presents and festive decoratious for the ship on Christmas Day. Thc following message appears in tlie vessel 's news slieet: 1 Santa (1laus arrived by jeep on tlu wliarf .">0 minutes before the Marino Plioenix let't Pago Pago. He dis'ributed 100 presents to native childrer on the quay and then came 011 board Standing beside a gaily lit Christma> troe in the lounge, Santa Claus distributed uiodel battleships, Indian suit>. dolls, imitation moukeys, dolls' house furniture and otlier tovs to eacli of thi 120 children on board. O11 Christnuu morning all tlie women passengers ro ceived a gift of candied fruit."