CRUISE OF H.M.S DIAMOND.

Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 282, 18 July 1888, Page 4

CRUISE OF H.M.S DIAMOND.

11.M.5. Diamond, which has done excellent semce on this station, has again leburned to Sydney horn the islands. Since her departure from tins port three months ago the Diamond hah been to the New Hebrides doing duty in connection with thp joint protectorate enteied into between England and France over that group. The commissioner* were appointed at Noumea, Captain F. '.S. Clayton and Lieutenants Williams and Simpson, of the Diamond, representing England, and Captain Benierand Lieutenants La Cuidcand L'Avenn, ot the French warship Fabert, France. The Fabeit was met at Noumea, where the commission held its hrsb hitting and ananged matteie. Tlie utmost; good ieehng existed between the otlicerc ot both ships, and the terms ot the protectorate were gone llnough and lormally latitaed without the slightest hitcb. It was arranged that the warships should make peiiodical trips through the New Hebrides, and Commander Benier, of the Faberl, having won the tot-e, decided bo proceed forthwith to the gioup. The Diamond lemamed at Noumea until May 2nd, and she then .set out on her ciui&e through the New Hebrides, calling at Fort Sandwich (Malicollo), Havannah Harbour, Sandwich Island, Pentecost, Aoba and Lepeis Islands and the Bui Roads. Thence the .ship returned to Port Sandwich and afterwards visited Api Island and Ha\annah Hurboui, loturning to Noumea on May 21st and bringing with her as passenger Mr Rennie, Government agent of the schooner Madeline, which was totally wrecked at Tongoa during a hurricane. During hei stay c«t Pentecost island the Diamond maic iurther inquiiies into the murder oi Mr H. Lee Walker, particulars of which will he hesh in the minds ol our readers The natives implicated in the atrocious crime made oil into the bush on the approach ot the warship, and Captain Clayton, knowing the difficulties and dangeis encountered in following them inland, sought l^enge by destroying 10 ot their canous which wore lying on the beach. The Diamond then continued her cruise, and at Malicollo an investigation was held into the muider of the native boy. The unfortunate victim was at one time in the service ot Mi Sheaiston, the well-known seanietr c tm&»aotnuy ot this port, and he went to Malicollo to take uartin the mission woik ot that island, tie appears to have been shot by the natives ot a village at Malicollo. After taking the circumstances ot the case into consideration, Captain Clayton, of the Diamond, let the chief, oi the offending village oil" with a fine. The Diamond had a pleasant stay ot 13 days at Noumea. She set out on her second venture through the group on Juno 3rd and took a different) tiack, touching at Ancityum, FoiHma, Tanna (where a splendid view was obtained of the volcano), Erromanga, Dillon Bay, Port Vila, Ha van nah Uaibour, Tongoa, Espirito Santo, Malo, Sah Som Bay and Port Sandwich, and then back to Havan- ' nah and Noumea, the latter place being i cached on June 20fch. At each of the islands visited matters were all quiet. The mission schooner Day spring was met at Tongoa on June 13th, having come from the neighbouring islands with the mi sionaries tor the annual conference. The Diamond wjis relieved ac Noumea by H.M.s. Rapid, and the terms ot the protectorate having been made known to the officers of that ship, she left tor Sydney on June 30th. The voyage was made under sail and steam.