ROUND THE WORLD TRIP.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 2901, 25 June 1925, Page 4

ROUND THE WORLD TRIP.

The following' is a. further in- t stnlmcnl of an article being' written by Mr. J. K. Hornblow, editor of this journal, during his world’s tour. Written at sea on May Ist 1925I It was on the first of last month : that we set out and one month lias ( gone. To-day we are getting near < the equator and it is getting very , very warm and every one is donning in whites, and although it is a month since we left, the time seems to have flown. A sports committee has been set up aboard and in order to provide money for prizes ihc male passengers contribute ten shillings and the ladies five. Deck quoits and tennis are the chief game's induldged in. Last night, a beautiful tropical night, and very calm, we attended a picture show aboard in the open. It was a great: sight to see severel hundreds of people seated or rather squatted, on the decks watching the movies. The whole scene will remain long in our memories. I think my last letter dealt with Melbourne. After leaving Melborne we called at Adelaide and then Freemanfle, a little seaport town, and after looking round we took a char-a-banc for Perth about 12 miles, 2s (id return. On the way (n narrow tar sealed track) we ran into two accidents. One young fellow suffered a compound fracture of the leg. We were travelling with a London doctor, and T assisted him to render first aid. Perth is a very fine city and we did the sights and got some good snaps, which I hope will turn out alright. The country around Perth and Freemantle is very parched. .Tune sth, 1925: To-night some time we cross the line. The heat has been terrific and I don’t think I will complain of the summer heat in New Zealand again. Everything is clammy a sticky clamminess. On Sunday I felt it most but now 1 believe T can put up with the worst. The sea is as smooth as glass, deep blue. I have seen plenty of (lying fish little things like small birds —they skim over the surface of the water from wave to wave. Last night T saw a school of porpoises near the ship. They are much smaller then those off our eoast, and spring clear of the surface. Life aboard is much of a sameness each day. I got a great reception tit the coneeri on' Sunday night. Last night the third class held a concert —they have far better talent ami much appreciative audiences. I hopped over the rail and gave a couple ot items. 1 thoroughly enjoyed the concert, and they want tile again. There will not. he any ceremony in connection with crossing the Line. We expect to reach Colombo on the Till and have arranged to go ashore and may possibly go on to Kandy about fit) miles in the interior, if time permits. If not we will confine ourselves to Colombo and its environs. Anyhow we will be glad to get ashore for a few boars. The purser interviewed me la-t night re assisting to edit the ship s journal, which is printed as a souvenir of the trip. So far 1 have not had an inspiration. From Freemantle to Colombo is our largest non-stop run. I believe we are about- 24 hours behind schedule time. I lie beat: lias affected a number of the firemen and passengers. To-night as T am writing this a picture entertainment is going on. I have made the acquaintance of several interesting people on hoard and have enjoyed their company immensely. Wednesday the (hit.—The sweat rolled off me during the night, hut. 1 am not greatly inconvenienced and get my sleep in. This morning tliero is a head wind blowing, making tilings much cooler. Each day they have a sweep on the day's run. The average daily run is about 1150 miles. We are looking forward to an interesting time in and around Colombo tomorrow. We do not go alongside but anchor off shore. We get on alright with our washing —do it in the cabin. The sailors are to do some of the heaver tilings today. One lias to be very careful i.o keep off chills and it is neccessarv to wear woollen singlets to absorb the perspiration and prevent. chilis. Our baths are very handy, and the shower too is a Oodsend each morning and before dressing for dinner —an infernal nuisance by the way. Fancy evening dress and a starch shirt in this heat. Cigarettes are fairly cheap aboard but pipe tobacco about the same price as ashore. We have booked up for a trip to Cairo. The trip costs J. 9 each including hotel expenses, guides etc. A guarantee of 100 passengers is required for the special train. Drinks are very reasonable aboard. Ice creams age supplied free each morning and there is plenty of ice water. The meals are good and plenty of fruit. May Till. —Last .Night we bad a bat competition. A great display — all manner of styles and shapes. « Last night was a fair “corker.” I f was bathed in perspiration the f whole night, and continually mop- [ ped my body the whole night with > the sheet. Tin's morning we have j> struck a monsoon, which promises £ to make things unpleasant for our J trip ashore. They say we have > encountered it a month earlier than > usual. The wind and rain has driv- | on passengers off the decks but i it is much cooler. 1 forgot to tell ’ you about the boat drill the other ■ afternoon. At a given signal from > the syren all passengers were re- > qnired to don their life belts and , proceed to allotcd quarters on the f decks. The life belts consist of two large squares of cork —the 4 bead is slipped through a band

ind the belt tied front and hack, [’lie officer then addressed the passengers and instructed them what o do in case of accident.