GRUIBE OF THE PACIFIC.

RETURN OF H.M.S. CAMBRIAN. After an absence of ten months from Sydney, H.M.S. Cambrian, one of the three second-class cruisers on the Australian station, returned to Sydney last week, and berthed at Garden Island. She left there on December 9 last year for New Zealand, and visited all the principal ports of the dominion. An extended cruise of the Pacific, occupying upwards of six months, was commenced from Auckland on February 6. Visits were first of all paid to Rarotonga, in the Cook Group ; Tahiti, a French possession j Christmas Island, where the' Australian-owned steamer Aeon was wrecked; and Fanning Island, where the Pacific Cable Board's cable station is situated. H.M.S. Flora, attached to the China station, was met at Honolulu in March, and the two vessels continued the cruise in company. "As a matter of fact," remarked one of the officers, "the Cambrian and Flora only lost sight of one another for twenty-four hours on two occasions during the whole of the cruise, which proved an extremely interesting one to all concerned." Calls were made at Acapulco (Mexico), San Jose (Guatemala), La Union Amapala (Honduras), Corinto (Nicaragua), Punta Arenas (Chile), Panama, Callao (Peru), Iquique (Chile). Coquimbo (Chile), Valparaiso (Chile), Easter Island. Pitcairn Island, Tahiti and Suva (Fiji). The visit to Pitcairn Island, where the mutineers of the Bounty formed their first settlement in 1790, created a great impression on the minds of the islanders, whose mode of living is of s primitive character. Most of the descendants of the original mutineers were transferred many years ago to Norfolk Island. The officers and crew of the cruisers were especially interested in Easter Island, and the historic stone houses, sculptured stones, and gigantic figures carved in trachytic lava were inspected by all hands. The cruise was without incident but several sensational experiences were narrowly oscaned. Shortly after leaving two of the South American port* rebellions broke out. and the Cambrian had not left Acapulo* many hours before n disastrous tidal wave submerged portions of the seaport town. At- the conclusion of the cruise the Cambrian called at Thursday Wand in August, and., accompanied by the Flora, proceeded on to Bxtavin. »nd then* to Colombo, where both war ulntM were recommissioned. The relief crews arrived from Portsmouth by H.M.S. Terrible, and the exchange took place on September 7. The Flora then left for the China station, and the Cambrian sailed o» September 11 for Sydney. ' Captain Edward W. E. Wemyss is now in charge of the Cambrian.