ISLANDS CRUISE

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVIII, Issue 54, 1 February 1938, Page 9

ISLANDS CRUISE

H.M.S. WELLINGTON’S MISSION. Per Press Association. AUCKLAND, Jan. 31. After being diverted from her scheduled cruise of the southern ports to carry out a mission for the High Commissioner for the Western Pacific, H.M.S. Wellington returned to Auckland this morning. The primary reason for the Pacific cruise was to take stores, water, and radio replacements to Canton and Hull Islands. The ship found all well on Canton Island, where the officials in residence have made themselves comfortable. There are three small huts—one for the officials, the second for the native employees, and tho third for stores. The water on the island is inclined to be brackish and the supply of drinking water is dependent on ships. Mr F. H. Rostier, the radio operator, was relieved by Mr T. H. Manning, but Mr G. V. Langdale, formerly of H.M.S. Pioneer, who is the administrative officer, volunteered to remain for a further period. Aboard tho Wellington for the round voyage from Suva where Mr R. H. Garvey,- Assistant-Secretary to tho Western Pacifih High Commissioner, and Mr R. C. Farquhar, senior wireless officer at Fiji, who inspected the radio equipment on the two Islands. No plaques were erected. The Wellington will enter the Calliope Dock in the middle of. February for her annual refit. In the first week in March she leaves on her return to Wellington. .