PACIFIC CRUISES

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 167, 2 August 1937, Page 7

PACIFIC CRUISES

-Preso Ai»ociatIon.)

N.Z. Naval Vessels' Tour of Islands SLOOP'S FAST TRIP;

(By Teleerapb-

AUCKLAND, Last Night. Increasing her speed in order to havef a member of the crew taken to hospital as soon as possible, the Imperial escorfc vessel, H.M.S. Wellington, returned tO Auckland on Saturday from her annual winter cruise of the South Pacifio Islands. She was originally due to arrive oil Tuesdjay ffrom Rarotonga, but lConu mander Loriston-Clarke decided to make quick passage to land a pettyj offieer who had developed an affectioix to an eye while the ship was in tho •Cook Islands. He was taken to hospital soon after H.M.S.- Wellington arrived in port. T!io return of H.M.S. Wellington oalls attention to the recent change by the Admiralty in the nomenclatprei of all those vessels formerly claaeed as sloops. Apparently to simplify tho naval classification of such ships OO H.M.S. Wellington and H.M.S. Leith, which have hitherto been known 00 Imperial patrol sloops, are now to bo styled escort vessels. In addition to making the. tuai) round of visits in the Islands, H.M.S* Wellington also took the party of NeW Zealnad scientists, who recently observ+ ed the eclipse of the sun, to Cantoff Island, in the Phoenix Group. Shoro parties were landed to assist the seiem tific party with its work, and concerto were also held to help to p'ass the tinui while waiting for the eclipse. Some notice-boards calling attention to Great Britain 's possession of thii island were (nailed to the bolec o fi coconut trees, but no steps were taken during the cruise to lay claim to any other islands. After disembarking jthe scientists at Apia H.M.S. Wellington continued her cruise, making calls at Faksofa Atafu, Nuknnono, Pago Pago, Suvarov, Moov rea, Papeete, Aitutaki, and Rarotqngau The whole cruise was uneventful and the weather generally was good. The case of illness which cansed tho ship's hurried return to port was th# only one experienced. H.M.S. Wellington will go into Oal* liope Dock for Tefit, and on August 19; will leave for' Wellington to be recosb missioned by Commander Loriston. Clarke. The terms of service on the New Zealand station of his officera having almost expired, the fihip willbe paid off at Wellington, and her present officerS, with the exceptiott of Commander Loriston-Clarkej, will be replaced by others who are due fo arrive by the Rangitane from Englfittd on August 25. Two other ships of ' the New Zealand Division of the Royal Navy have yet to return from their cruises to the Islands. Rear.Adminal Drummond's flagship, H.M.S. Achilles Will retufn to Auckland on August 27 in eompany with a new cruiser for 'the stationj H.M.S. Leander, and on September 18 the escort ship H.M.S. Leith is due. The three ships will have between them "paid visits to. most of the British, American and French possessions in the Pacific, and will have made one of the most comprphensive patrols of Imperial outposts ever underfcaien.