MALOLO’S FAREWELL

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 837, 4 December 1929, Page 6

MALOLO’S FAREWELL

THOUSANDS WITNESS LINER'S DEPARTURE AN IMPRESSIVE SIGHT Thousands packed Queen's Wharf to bid farewell to the Matson liner Malolo last evening. She made a wonderfully impressive sight as she steamed down the harbour and out into the gulf. From all the vantage points round the City people had gathered to see the last of ths famous vessel. There were about 800 on the Devonport Wharf. As the Ferry Building clock struck 8 o'clock the Malolo’s band struck up ■'Auld Lang Syue,” and "For They Are Jolly Good Fellows.” The Auckland Art ill ary Band responded with music from the wharf, and a few of the onlooke s joined in and sang.

Streamers from the Malolo’s decks almost hid her from sight, crackers exploled, and balloons were wafted into the air. The most impressive moment came just i fter the gangway fell, when the bands, played the British National Anthem. Officers and men stood at the salute, and the huge crowd became silent. As the Malolo's siren shrieked her farewell blasts, crackers exploded, streamers parted, and the crowds gave her a cheer as she turned into the stream.

Heralded by a series of blasts on her deep, musical and far-sounding whistle, the Malolo slipped round the North Head and into the line of vision of groups of watchers who waited on tile North Shore beaches. It was quite dark, and the big liner, brilliantly lighted from'stem to stern, looked like a great ferry boat as she moved toward the deeper shadow of Rangitoto. Another echoing blast and she gathered speed, steaming away into the night over the placid waters of the Gulf.