H.M.S. DUNEDIN

Hokitika Guardian, 17 August 1933, Page 8

H.M.S. DUNEDIN

RETURN FROM CRUISE

AUCKLAND, August 14,

After a two months' cruise among the islands of ' the Western Pacific, during which visit were paid to sonic of the tropical outposts of civilisation. H.M.S. Dunedin, the flagship of Commodore F. Burgess Watson, returned to Auckland this afternoon. The cruise was mainly uneventful.

After leaving Auckland, the Dunedin 'first called at Norfolk Island, but did hot’stay there because of a slight epidemic of measles on shore. Her next port was Noumea, in New Caledonia, where she was in company with the French sloop Savorgan de Brazza, aiul the Laburnum. A visit was also paid to Vila, in the New Hebrides.

One of the »..ost interesting spots visited during the cruise was. Hog Harbour, on the island of Esperitu Sa'nctu. There is only a handful or Europeans on the island, but the native population consists of 28 tribes of headhunters all speaking different dialects, and all more or less constantly at war Vitli one another. Several parties from the cruiser, guided by a British resident, Mr Salisbury, made trips into the interior to inspect the ( .native villages.

“It was a queer experience,” one officer said. .“The island is hilly and covered with dense tropical vegetation. It is almost impossible, to find the villages without the assistance of native guides. The natives wear no clothing at all,,and the mean are nearly,all . armed with ancient muzzle-load-ing rifles. They obtain powder from .some mysterious source, and even bullets occasionally; but . they generally ram rusty nails and .scraps ..of iron down, on top of the powder., and hope . for the best. The men do no work about the villages. The plots are tilled by the women ,while the men stand round with Their amazing firearms, apparently neady to receive hostile tribesmen.” . The Dunedin will remain in port until Tuesday morning, when,she will leave for northern waters . to. combined exercises and m\inoeu/vres with the Canberra and Australia from the Royal Australian Navy. H.M.S . Diomede, commended by Captain Cosmo Graham, will return from the Hauraki Guli to-mlor-row,’ arid on entering the harbour will fire a salute to .the broad pennant of Commodore Bingress Watson. She will sail again for the gulf on -Wednesday; but will return to port next Monday in 'time W isail with “the flagship o n the northern cruise; : Exercises with the Australian Squadron will take 1 place off the northern po«ist bn August 24 and 25, during which tinie a mock battle will be held. The four warships will all put into Russell on August 26, and from then nntil Augrist" fkrthere" will he sailing • and rowing regattas, and other competitions. The combined squadrons will arrive at ' Auckland on. -August SI. When the Australian .cruisers lobyEAuckland for southern ports: on SentarnbeV 6,- they will bq accompanied into file Hwuraki Gulf by the DimmU n rr"d Diomede, 1 and gunnery-■■ practices will be held. '