CHALLENGER BACK FROM CHILE

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1199, 7 August 1911, Page 4

CHALLENGER BACK FROM CHILE

NATURE OP RECEPTION. IBy rc'ecraph-Prcss Association.! Auckland, August .1. After a long Pacific cruise, commenced at Sydney in February last, 11.M.5. Chal. longer arrived buck at Auckland at noon to-day. The. cruise was undertaken chiefly on account of th« centenary celebrations of tlio Chile Republic, which happened last year, but which, on account of the late King's death, could not bo attended by a iiritish warship at the time. From Sydney, the Challcnjcr proceeded to Fiji, Tahiti, Samoa, and Chile. Calm weather prevailed throughout, though it was a triile hot on the Chilian coast. The officers and crew were received right royally, and the memory of their hospitable reception will (they slate) "continue as long as life lasts." H.M.S. Ksnt, from the China station, was also present, and accompanied the Challenger on tho return voyage as far as Honolulu. The Challenger's officers were taken up in tlio heights of the Andes by the Chilian Government, and, at the invitation of the U.S.A. Government, they visited and inspected the Panama Canal, which they describe as a. stupendous work, wonderful in its design and execution.

Leaving many happy rccollcetions behind them, they started on the return journey, and touched at Honolulu, Pitcairn 'island, Samoa, and Fiji. They woro in Honolulu oil the "Glorious Fourth," and, being the first British warship to bo present in the Hawaiian; port on the day of America's rejoicing in the celebration, of her independence, they were received and entertained with enthusiasm l'ronr the captain down to tlio steward. , The Challenger's complement consists of Australasians, n fair proportion of whom are New Zealnnders; they are 'loud _in their praise of hospitable receptions Which they met with on every har.d on tlio Pacific Coast. "The wcatli.fr," said ono of the officers, "was sweltering, but the good reception which we met with nioro than counterbalanced that." The Challenger remains in port at Auckland until about August 12, when she leaves for Wellington. Oil August 22 she leaves the latter port for Lytielton, and thence proceeds to Sydiif.v.