VISIT TO SOUNDS

Evening Post, Volume CXV, Issue 34, 10 February 1933, Page 9

VISIT TO SOUNDS

PASSENGERS ENTRANCED

THE MONOWAFS CRUISE

To the accompaniment of cheers and choruses by the passengers who lined her rails, the "Onion Company's intercolonial steamer Mpnowai drew alougsido the Queen's Wharf shortly after .0.30 o'clock this, morning after a memorable pleasure.cruise to the West Coast and Marlborough Sounds. Fine days with calm seas wore tho order throughout the trip, with the result that sea-sickness was practically unknown, and there was a full attendance at nearly every meal. Every detail of the carefully-planned itinerary was carried out, and, in addition to enjoying the majestic beauty of the Sounds, under ideal conditions, the passengers wore entertained every day and evening with a full programme of sports, dancing, motion pictures, bridge, and leeturettes. - Cook Strait and the Tasman Sea were like- placid lakes as the Monowai made her way south, and she was easily able to observe her schedule. > On Tuesday morning she was off Cape Farewell. -Visibility was excellent, and, on tho run down' the coast passengers were ablo to obtain panoramic views of Westland with its earthquake^riven hills. Shortly 'after' midday Captain Davey brought the: ship close to land so that Westport and the rugged Capo Foiilwind could be viewed from a distance- of a. few miles. As a climax to the day's sight-seeing the passengers saw, in the gathering dusk, the Southern Alps with the majesty of "Mount Cook, and the 3?ranz Josef Glacier. - '''.-" ' ' .. AWE-INSPIRING; MILFORD. The Monowai ' arrived off Milford SoTiiid at about 5.30 a.ni. on Wednesday. Mist hung over the entrance, but the conditions inside were clear, and the passengers' were spell-bound with admiration as in the bright sunshine, the liner nosed, her way up the channel between the peaks, gigantic rock walls, and towering ramparts for which Milford is famous.. The sound was at its best, and there were some entrancing reflections in the limpid water. Launches took parties to view the Bo wen Tails at close range.' At 9 a.m. the Monowai turned about, and upon reaching the open sea steamed south to visit Bligh and George Sounds, This fascinating portion of the cruise occupied nearly all day, and the sightseers were presented to almost every type of fidrdland beauty. The green bush and lovely bays and inlets of the two southern sounds contrasted very effectively*with the more rugged and awe-inspiring-grandeur of Milford. In' George Sound the Monowai met ttie Government lighthouse steamer Matai, which was': also- carrying some passengers, and greetings were exchanged betweenthe two ships. ; The return to Milford was completed in the late afternoon, and fresh beauties were revealed in the mellow light, including the fascinating rainbow effects in tho Bowen falls. Passengers for the Milford. Track were landed, and. at dusk the Monowai commenced to steam north on a glassy sea. •.-.-. - Pelorua Sound,was reached at.4 p.m. yesterday, and the ship anchored inside, for the night. A fancy-dress ball was. held, and dinner last evening was a festive occasion. Speeches of appreciation were made to Captain" Davey on behalf of the Melbourne, Sydney, and Wellington passengers, warm tributes being paidl to the manner in which the cruise had been conducted and the part playe.d by the ship's company. Captain C. JP. Post, who piloted the vessel .through the Sounds, was alsoi praised. Last night's revels were, contrmied until after midnight^ and at an early-hour this morning the run home 'was commenced.