S.S. MAUNGANUI.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1364, 15 February 1912, Page 9

S.S. MAUNGANUI.

I'IXK STI-AMKI! I'OK PASSUXGIOHS.

Tho days when travelling by sea was soim-tliin-,' of tin adventure, attended by n certain amount of loss of comfort ami convenience, would appear to be fast fading. With wirrlc-t-s to keep the voyflßer in touch with current events, so that ilistaiue is practically annihilated; with stoanifTs lilted up like floating hotels of tho most modern and comfortable tyno, it would not bo such a difficult matter lo fortjet that so many inches of steel, iron, and wood separated him from a very uncertain world of waters below. At any rat<?. all is done !o mako him lo.* sight of the fact that such is the caw , ..

I'Vom time to limn, rumours of the completoiio.-s and luxiiriousness of nppointmrut that is to be found on the ,I'nion Strain Ship Company's new strainer, the Mauiiganui, have reached Wellington, and yesterday, upon the steamer's arri-al ill" the wharf, they were seen to bo founded upon reality. Those to whom .such travelling is not altogether, joy should find their discomforts immensely mitigated, while tho.-o who are already in lqvp witli it will probably find it a most difficult matter to tear themselves away from its attractions.

Ono of the most noticeable features of the steamer is the arrangement by which passengers may go from any part of the steamer to another in stormy weather without getting from under cover, the decks beiiii,- reached by inside passages and stairways. Passimr from the deck into the main pasi-onser entrance is very like entering the vestibule of a most up-lo-date hotel—so complete is it in appearance, fiiTiiishing, and equipment. Above it is to be found a lounge in which the i!uluco;upnt.s to linger uniliily are strong, so attractive is the room. The walls are panelled throughout its lensth and breadth with highly-polished satinwood, delicately grey in tone, each panel being bordered with "i very narrow tanger-ine-coloured lino, that adds the right touch of warmth to it. Thn floor is of brown and cream inlaid wood, with mats to harmonise, placed where needed, while wicker ehnirs, of the faintest preen, in colour, with wine-coloiirrd upholstering, promise comfortable, if not profitable, hours. Divided from it by glass doors is the music room—:i very "charming place carried out in white and gold, a deep note of colour being added by the very dark red carpet witli which the flcor is covered. Instead of the round portholes which are usually to be seen on steamers there are casement windows, shaded by pule yellow curtains, almost biscuit coloured. Quaint Queen Anne furniture, writing tables, and a cottage grand piano complete a very pretty room. The dining saloon is about fifty feet in length, extending the- full width of the ship, and is upholstered throughout in dark red. The cafe idea is followed in its furnishing, the tables being of varying sizes and shapes, and placed so that there would be no difficulty about arranging for parties. As in the music room, there is a marble fireplace heated with electricity. The windows again are a noticeable feature of the saloon, a Ciisunient effect being givo:i by white archway?, into which are very deeply set portholes, tiro in each archway, all round the walls- Most delightful rosc-colowred curtains shade them. A bitter trial to many people travelling is the smallness and stuffiness of tin; sleeping cabin}, but on the Maiingamu great differences have been made in these respects. They are much larger, and are equipped witli an electric fan, a wardrobe, and with the electric light placed at the head of the berths. One saw a cabin just off the promenade deck fitted up with two berths only, one placed on either side of the cabin, and there wexo 1 others again with two berths fitted np so that at a pinch a settee eculd he turned into ;t berth. There were others also which were much larsjer and much more elaborately fitted up, but then, of course, the equivalent has to be received tor such, extra comforts. . Not all the comfort has been lavished on the grown-ui) traveller, for the children have also been thought of. A dinin" saloon has been specially fitted up for them with walls panelled with paintings of nursery rhymes—"The Old Woman Who Lived in a Shoe," "live and Twenty Blackbirds," "Mary .Had a Little Lamb." and so on. It is cushioned in dull blue, and is altogether a. most attractive and comfortable children s room. Those travelling second class are also exceedingly well provided for, comtorrable lou'.ige rooms and smoke rooms being placed at their disposal, and equally airy cabins. Altogether travpllin<i by the Maunganui should be a very desirable experience, as no doubt very many people will find out. Travellers yesterday iiuist liave felt very loth to leave her upon their arrival in such a grey, stormy, wind-swept eity as Wellington, and one could understand that their feelings were hardly of delight. , "All right place tins, isn t it. J saiil a passenger to his companions as they chin" to' each other to prevent themselves from being blown over the wlmri. The answer was not enthusiastic!