THE RAPID'S CRUISE.

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 417, 6 November 1889, Page 3

THE RAPID'S CRUISE.

H.M.s. Rapid, which has returned to Sydney, brings the news thab the French warships are likely fco leave New Caledonia. Al> the display as to recognising the little Republic of Francevil'e in the New Hebrides, or of annexing , thab group, is — a'b all e/enbs for the* present — ab an end. Tho flagship Djucfuesne, Ad* miral Lefeburo,' is going to • Fratice;''' and proposes to travel 'via Auckland, dock there and coal, and proceed herne via Cape Horn. Those 'who' know what lite i$ at Noumea to a ship's company will bolievo that the officers of tho Duqucsne received the homeward bound tidings .with soinb satisfaction. The new programme" as"regards the other two warships would be almostequally pleasing to the crews oF those vessels. The Saone is to go to Dunodin, and spend son.c time in that hospitable port while the New Zealand Exhibition, which opens next month, continues. The Volta, it is f believed* had a small commission to execute in the Solomon or New Hebrides group in connection with a robbery committed by native.* at the station of a Catholic missionary. A fine had been imposed on the native chief concerned, and Jive of his men were bo be taken aa hostages to work for the mission until the valuo of the stolen property is restored to ; the priest. The Volta, after carrying out this duly, will go to Tahiti, and pcihaps to Dunedin. '>The Rapid, says the - Sydney " Morning Herald," has come down to Sydney to be docked and to fit on a new propeller, or anew blade' to her present propeller, as may bo found on -examination to be requisite. A blade by some means carried aw?y sinco she lefr here a little over a month ago, and insteid of doing her projected cruise in the New Hebrides group, she was compelled to return here, after waiting instructions at Noumea. Her present orders are to repair the injured propeller, and etart away again as soon as possible to Noumea and the New Hebrides group.