WARSHIP'S CRUISE

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 312, 27 August 1932, Page 5

WARSHIP'S CRUISE

DIOMEDE RETURNS TO N.Z. AFTER VISITING ISLANDS Auckland, Friday. After an extended cruise in the Pacific, showing the flag in many remote corners of the Empire, H.M.S. Diomede returned to port this morning. The cruise was highly successful. Excellent drill and manoeuvres were carried out, and calls were made at seldom ^lsited islands which_ gave great pleasure to the lonely islanders. The last group of the warship's ltinerary was Fiji, where 17 days were spent, 13 at Suva in company with H.M.S. Laburnum, and the remainder at Lautoka, in company with H.M.S. Veronica. The flagship left Suva on August 17 in company with H.M.S. Laburnum and the two carried out shoooing. The two ships then joined the Veronica. Possession of the coveted Veronica Cup was decided. The cup was the gift of the Auckland branch of the Navy League in recognition ^ of the services of the squadron during the earthquake at Napier, in h ebruaiy 1931. The ownership of the trophy was decided on the points system, two sailing races and one lowmg raee. The events were keenly contested with close finishes. The points secured were: H.M.S. Veronica seven, H.M.S. Laburnum, six; H.M.S. Diomede five. „ , „ Before the Diomede saued xor New Zeiland, miniature bombardment practice was carried out. The Laburnum sailed for Ellerton Island and four days later the Veronica proceeded to Suva.