A WELCOME CALL

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 238, 2 July 1919, Page 8

A WELCOME CALL

11.M.5. NEW ZEALAND AT COCOS ISLANDS. On the run down from Colombo to Albany 11.M.5. New Zealand, with Admiral Jellicoe on board, called at the Cocos Group (on Hay 9), and hauled to off tho outlying island, where lies tho wreck of, the German, raider Envden. From the nearest point which the ship uould approach little could be mads of the remains, as they lay submerged in the heavy surf; and.it seems that tho old raider is almost completely broken up. An hour later the ship lay-to in the lee of .the main group—small coral atolls, very low, luxuriant with coconut palms and tropical trees, and with white surf breaking on outlying reefs. On one of the islands is the Eastern Cable Company's station, where live 30 young men, many of them Australians and New Zealanders. Twelve months is tho term at this lonely island station, though a man may stay 18 months if he elects. • Time passes pleasantly enough, for there is unlimited sport, and no life is healthier. About a dozen of them in several boats, were standing out from the reef, waiting for the ship, and the Admiral asked them on board. Ho entertained them most hospitably, took them below ,for cocktails and cake, brought tho band 'to the quarter-dock to play'''to them,- and at dark sent them on"their way rejoicing with bundles of the last Home papers, a gift o£ frozen mutton, and a copy of his book, These men wort? chid only in khaki short?, undervests, and slouch hats; they were as brown as Maori?, and as lit as hddles. Tt was good to nee them and to talk to them for an hour 01; two; ami it seemed like parting with old. friends wlieu the sails of their boats deepened to smudges in the tropical dusk, and the tuibines below revolved again.