NORFOLK VOYAGERS.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 110, 11 May 1926, Page 9

NORFOLK VOYAGERS.

I m ■ APPROACH OF RETURN TRIP. SCHOONER RESOLUTION PREPARING. Within the next few days the small schooner Resolution, which since her arrival from Norfolk Island about thrv-e months ago has been having an engine | installed and the finishing touches put to her hull and rigging, will sai} on her return trip. At first glance, the Resolution looks absurdly small for the Norfolk Island trade, although, as a matter of fact, she registers about seventy tons. Her hull is painted grey, and the peculiar build of her stern detracts from any beauty she might otherwise possess. No sailor, even in his wildest moments, would ever think of calling tho Resolution a yacht. But despite this drawback, if it may lie termed such, the schooner is a vessel of which the islanders may well be proud. I for she is stoutly built of their own beloved Norfolk pine.

In days bygone, when steamers were but little known, Norfolk Island, whose tall pines could be seen many miles out to sea, was famed for its spars. Watships and trading vessels frequently called at Norfolk for pew timbers, tho result being that the pine forests were greatly cut away. As it was estimated that a Norfolk Island pine grew for eighty years before it became five feet in diameter at i the base, the islanders finally complained of the practice of visitors cutting spars, and legislation was passed making it illegal for anyone but the inhabitants to utilise the pines.

Accommodation for Crew of Seven. After discharge of her cargo of fruit at Auckland, the Resolution was taken : to the North Wall. Since then she has ihocn installed with a 30-horse power i Fairbanks Morse engine, capable of driving her in calm weather at a speed of six and a half knots, and undergone other alterations. Tiny cabins for the captain, mate and engineer, have been provided in the stern deck house, above , the engine room, and the cabin amid- j •ships, which is fitted with four bunks, has ben converted into the mess room. The "glory hole" or abode of the crew in the fo'e'sle also contains four bunks. I This particular cabin looks particularly i small, but measurements prove it to 'comply with all Government regulations, jln addition, other odd jobs have been done about the deck. The schooner, 'which has yet to have her propellor fitted, is expected to sail from Auckland on Saturday next. Captain J. D. Carter, D.S.C., R.N.R., has relieved Captain Christian as master and Mr. E. Gilling, i who until recently ran the launch Val- : bulla, has joined as mate. , A cargo is already waiting for tho Resolution at Auckland, and it is anticipated that as soon as the Norfolk Islanders learn that the schooner has sailed from this port they will commence packing fruit for her return trip. : The schooner is owned by the inhahitants of the island, and it is hoped ! that she will maintain a regular service to Auckland, occupying about four and , a half days on the trip each way. j

! (rubllshcd by Arrangement.)