LURE OF THE PACIFIC.

Hokitika Guardian, 19 November 1924, Page 4

LURE OF THE PACIFIC.

AN ADVENTUROUS PARTY. AUCKLAND. Nov. 10.

The South Sea Islaluls ItavO always !*ccu regarded as a novelist’s paradise (says the "Stitr”), a kind of Arcadia, where l everything is quaint, beautiful ami primitive, and to minds nourished on 11, Yore SLaekpoole, Jack London, and Robert Louis Stevenson, the South Pacific has remained a world of eternal romance, where the influence of the West has hilt faintly intruded. There passed through Auckland by the last American steamer a gentleman, Mr Darrough, who is the advance agent for an adventurous party who expect to leave England within the course of a few tnonh.s, on route to the South Sea Islands, and New Zealand. 3000-TON .MOTOR YACHT. Speaking to a “Star’’ representative, Mr Darrough said that many expeditions were shortly leaving England for the South Seas, hut the expedition do luxe was that of the 3000-toli motor yacht, Westward. Commanded by Limit. Commander llollywed, which hoped to clear England within the course of a few weeks.

This finely appointed vessel was carrying with it some of the hostknown English sportsmen, who were making a ten months’ cruise of the South Pacific and New Zealand coast, returning to England, via Suez and India, where she would conclude after a brief sojourn at ports en route. The Westward is at present fitting out at Soiihampton. and is taking on a collect ion of all manner of weird and wonderful things. She has two motion picture cameras, is fitted with developing and dark rooms, has an arsenal that would put Paul Rainey to shame, and has also a “comfort” chest that would necessitate a serious detour of the American prohibition ports. “ENGLAND IS WEARY.”

“England is weary,” remarked Mr Darrough, when interviewed, “anil the wet slimmer that lias been experienced is only an lidded incentive for people to travel. Most of the leisured classes of England find the usually stereotyped resorts beginning to pall. Deauville and Biarritz no hniger appeal, while most English tourists have, run. the gamut of Continental watering-places, and are beginning to look afield for fresh worlds to conquer.” “What are your immediate plans*'”

“I must confess that there are none. I am just going to confirm the arranged itinerary by cable, and shall then join my party. We hope to do the Paiinioliis, Rarotonga, Morea. the Society Islands, Papeete, Samoa. Tonga and Fiji, New Zealand, and then we shall visit the northern islands, Solomons, etc. ('outinning. Mr Dai'roiiglt said; “We are all people akin to likes and dislikes: we have an abhorrence of searching for collar studs, dressing for dinner, morning coals, and we shall just lapse into the primitive for the few mouths we may.” Mr Darrough remarked Hint the Westward should arrive in N'etv Zealand somewhere about the beginning of February.