THE MARIPOSA

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 252, 15 June 1932, Page 7

THE MARIPOSA

UfoPRESSfoNS AFTER A TOUR OF THE - VESSEL. OPOTIKI VISITORS. Mr. and Mrs. C. Hamblywho have recently returned from a trip to Auckland gave the "Morning Post" representative their impressions of a tour of the "Mariposa" of the Matson line. In order to get a permit to view the ship one has to apply at the offices of the company. Hundreds of applications have had to be refused but Mr. and Mrs. Hambly were among the fortunate ones who obtained permits. They were escorted over the vessel by one of the offlcers and were very struck with the smart and efficient personnel of the crew. They describe the vessel as a floating city and one of the features which impressed them most was the spaciousn'ess of the rooms and the be'auty of the fiftings and furniture. The upholstered furniture was particularly luxurious. On deck instead of ordinary deck chairs of canvas were comfortable chairs made entirely" of wood, which by a simple movement could be turned from deck chairs to lounge chairs. There were two very fine dance halls and three orchestras. In the main saloon there were fwo remarkably fitte baby grand pianos and an organ for church services. The staterooms were spacious and exquisitely furnished, being far more like the bedrooms of the best hotels than staterooms on a boat. There were twin beds in each room and beside the 'beds was a small telephone for the convenience of the occupants, should they wish to communicate with the other pnrtions of the ship. Each room has two wardrobes and is fitted with hot and cold water. The purser's cabin was a huge one and a most imposing room, more to use Mrs. Hambly's own words, "like a room in some lovely mansion than a cabin on a ship." The same room v/as filled with comfortable chairs and was equipped for even the laziest of smokers. The dining saloon had a most strikingly ornamented ceiling and was fitted with small tables which were laid with the finest quality silverware. On passing into a small saloon the visitors' remarked on the excellent accommodation afforded to the 3rd class passengers only to find that this was the crew's dining room as there

are of course only two elasses on the "Mariposa." There were a number of shops in one of which the Jatest in firesses and gowns were on .display. There were also two very fine swim ming baths, the water for which is heated by electricity. The visitors would have liked very much to stay for a meal but were uttable to do so, owing to lack of time. Th.is perhaps was just as well as meals in this ffoating palace cost 10/- per head. ' •