THE PACIFIC SQUADRON. RETURN OF H.M.S. OPAL. FUTURE MOVEMENTS.

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 410, 12 October 1889, Page 3

THE PACIFIC SQUADRON. RETURN OF H.M.S. OPAL. FUTURE MOVEMENTS.

Funding thearrival of Lord Charles Scobb, the successor to Admiral Fairfax, Captain Bosanquet, of H.M.s. Opal, occupies the post of senior naval officer on this station. The Opal returned to Sydney on Saturday week from a' five months' cruise to the New Hebrides and the Samoan group of islands. Though bub 14 years old, the Opal has seen the best of her 1 days. She belongs to bhe class of corvettes described as sea service unprotected ships, and is of composite construction. If she ia recommissioned a large sum would be required to be expended upon her to bring her up to the requirements of to-day — new decks and other equally important work would ab least have to- be done to make tho Opal a first-class ship. She leaves for England at the end of this year, and her familiar form may never again be seen in Australian waters. The news from the islands brought by bhe Opal has been in the main anticipated. At the New Hebrides the murder of Mr Dabelle was heard of, and eventually ■ was left in- the hands of bhe French warship commander io investigate. The Opal left Sydney on the 30bh of ApriL last for Noumea. Having called there, she, proceeded to Havannah Harbour ab Sandwich Island, There- H.M.s. Lizard was found _and -reported 1 he murder on board the Colonist. A naval court was held on board, and the prisoner Weaver was committed for J trial ab Fiji. (Weaver has since been tried I and sentenced to death, afterwards commuted to life imprison menb). From there went onto Mallicolols land (Fort Sandwich), using - this place as >a sort of headquarters. At Ambryn Dabelle's murder was heard of, and large stacks of cocoanuts were seen on -the beach, these' latter having doubtless been stolen from, the station over which the murdered maiv acted as -manager. As just stated, the settlement of this murder with the perpetrators was' left with the French authorities. Havannah Harbour was then called ab, and a start soon after made for Noumea and Fiji, en route for Samoa, where H.M.s. Rapid was waiting to be relieved. Remained there for some days, 1 until orders were received bo go bo Pago Pago to meeb the Admiral. As, however, bhe Orlando had to give _ up her intended visit % owing to sickness breaking out on board, the Opal, like the Lizard, suffered a disappointment, and got back, to Apia. Went on after a while to Fiji for coal, and back to Samoa. The distress at Samoa among the nabives has nob been entirely overcome, and a good doal of suffering is" reported to still prevail amongst some of the natives. While lying at Apia received orders to reburn to Sydney, so left, taking in a call ab Suva en route. Since the Opal was here a transfer has taken place of Mr Stanley from bhe Opal to the Orlando, also Mr Littlejohng and Mr Baird from the Orlando to "the Opal. While in this port the Opal Will be docked, and later on she will probably, accompanied by the Orlando and the Lizard, go on to Melbourne to meet the n«w admiral. In the meantime the flagship Orlando is to oake a trip to Brisbane, leaving Sydney about the Ist or 2nd proximo. H M.s. Calliope will make a start for England about the same time.