Bellona Back From South Pacific Cruise

Chronicle (Levin), 19 August 1948, Page 6

Bellona Back From South Pacific Cruise

AUCKLAND, August IS. After visiting 22 islands in the Fijian, Tongan,^ Samoan. and Tokelau groups, the New Zealand eruiser Bellona returned to Auckland today. In a nine weeks ' cruise of the Southefn Paeilie, she steamed over 8300 miles and called at lonely atolls that only rarely see a naval ship. She also carried the Governor-General of New Zealand, .Sir Bernard Freyberg, to the New Zealand islauds dependencies and later embarked Sir Brian Freeston, Governor of Fiji, for a . tour of outlying * Fijian islands. Most of the Islands that were visited were far removed from normal steamer routes. Often no anchorage was available but wliile the 'ship kepl under way offshore, parties of officers and ratings "were landecl to compete with native teains at Rugby, hockey. association football and ericket. Thousands of islanders visited a niajor war: ship for the first time vvlien the Bellona was opened to visitors. Cinema lihns were exhibited on the quarterdeek to the wondering natives. Music was provided by the Royal Marine Band auJ fireworks displays were often given. At Mangaia, in the Cook group, as the linal rockets liurtled skywards, cries of deliglit from the sliore were clearly audible.