DUKE'S FISHING PARTY.

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 48, 26 February 1927, Page 11

DUKE'S FISHING PARTY.

CHOPPY SEAS AT RUSSELL

Residents "unable to visit BATTLESHIP. CHILDREN DISAPPOINTED. (3y Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) RUSSELL, Friday. The day broke at Russell with an overcast sky and a fresh wind from the nor'east, which made the waves break white on Waitangi's shore. The launch flotilla to assist in the Duke's fishing programme was early astir to face the ehort, steep seas off Topeka Point before the Renown's anchorage was reached. In the vicinity of the warship the launches literally danced attendance, although there was scarcely a tremour in the bi" grey battle-cruiser as she lay majesty cally, head to the sea.

Shortly before nine o'clock the Duke embarked on the launch Mason 8., accompanied by Messrs. W. Mason, Bayly, E. P. Andreas, W. Hodgson and members of the Royal staff. In the comparatively calm water of tlie paasage between the mainland and the nest of islands the flotilla sped east in fan formation, Mason B in the lead. The Duke was in the cockpit w itli a lip lit rod and line astern, trolling for kahawai. In Waipiro Bav the white-hulled schooner yacht Fisherman lay at anchor, with" a couple of the Zane Grey party's launches troliing in the foreground. Clear of the Albert passage the nor'-easterlv flung its greeting at Royalty, and also a challenge to invade the domain of the mako and the marlin, in the deep blue waters outside Cape Brett. The flotilla slid uneasily into the miniature sea valleys, and with a shrug and a lurch climbed the swiftly-moving hillocks of whitecrested water, to jazz there for a moment before descending at a steep angle. At least one landsman in the Press launch hart no regrets when the Mason B le;l the line back to the friendly shelter of the islands, as the wide Pacific was in turbulent mood, and had a motion that reminiscent of a ride on a camel.

The Duchess Arrives. Near Urupukapuka the lauiv?h Jean joined up. In the cockpit was the Duchcss. dressed in a grey costume, smiling beneath a chic brown velour hat. and manipulating a trolling line for kahawai. She was accompanied bv Mr. A. J. Court and Mr. F. P. Flynn, the Government Inspector of Fisheries. A call was made at the Zane Grey camp, where the Duchess inspected a big marlin swordfish, suspended head down from a hoisting platform on the wharf. The cameramen in the party were hopeful that the Duchess would land and stand beside the suspended "swordie," but the marlin was protesting in the mute way fish have after being absent a day or so from their native element.

As the Jean swung out of the bay. its succession of pebbly beaches and headlands crowned with pohutukawa. the Duchess gracefully turned and smiled charmingly as the Press launch hung on the Jean's quarter, while motion-picture machines were industriously operated.

Wliiie the Mason B quested around the islands for sporting kinsyfish. the Jean headed for the pretty landlocked Bay of Urouakawa. on the mainland, once the scene of a massacre in the earliest days of European settlement in the north. Here the placid waters lapped a scimitar of sand beneath the gently sloping hillsides. fringed with occasional clumps of puriri. karaka and white manuka. The Duchess went ashore-and had morning tea at Mr. Court's residence. A group photograph of her escorts and her hostess' family, close to a widespread puriri, was taken with the Duchess' own camera before the embarkation.

"There's Many a Slip — " The Jean anchored off Opuna. and the Duchess industriously plied her light rod. Interest quickened amongst the spectators- when her rod was seen to bend and the line to tighten. Her Highness played her catch with enthusiasm, and wound in vigorously until a small schnapper broke the surface. At that moment surely it was the most ill-mannered fish in the Bay of Islands —the schnapper freed itself and scurried back into the depths, perhaps there to tell a tale of *n exciting encounter with a fair fislierWoman. .

At midday the Duchess returned to the wnZ V " J 1U " cl1 - Tho Jean-danced wildly „„ the waves on going alongside vnitl n i ,g , ag °' but the Uucliess waited her, chance and jumped-nimbly on to the steps. The "catch." as the lesult of the collective efforts of the party, was triumphantly borne aboard a moment later in a kerosene case.

The Diwe spent the morning about the islands, good rod fishing be in a obtained 111 the vicinity of Motu Aroha~ or as it is known by the natives, '■The Island of Love." A pretty little leo-eud is associated with the island,, the storv oi a man and a maid who met by stealth on tlie sands of the seashore and irate parents completing a colourful domestic drama.

Too Rough For Excursions. Russell was thronged with visitors today to see the Renown, but the weather was a disappointment. Rain fell during the afternoon, and such heavy seas were running in the outer bay that it was impossible to put excursionists on the Renown, harly in the afternoon four heavily-laden launches left Russell, but as the result of a warning given they turned back. One excursion launch got as far as Topeka Point, many aboard being children, and two babies" in arms. There was excitement when the launch began to roll in a heavy beam sea, and the master at once—and wisely— fan for shelter. Rather than be disappointed many elimbed the hilltops and viewed the Renown from afar. Another favourite vantage-point was Oneroa beach. Many of the Northland children had never seen a warship before, and they gazed wistfully "across the wild sea and regretted that they did not have the opportunity for a closer view. Some children of the back districts left home before daylight this morn in? for'their pilgrimage, and many of them walked long distances to connect with t.'ie train.

Warship Isolated. Owing to rough seas the Renown was virtually isolated this afternoon. The warship hoisted her hoats in, and no shore leave was possible. This was disappointing to the people of Russell, who were extremely eager to entertain the navy men. It was intended this afternoon to present a bouquet to the Duchess" on board, but the proposal had to ho abandoned. The Duchess' catch consisted of 1.5 solinapper and two kahawai. The Duke caught a large number of schnanper and kahawai, and one of the Renown's officers landed a small kinefish. The reremai shark captured by the Duke off Piercv Island was skinned, the intention beimr to have the skin prepared by a taxidermist at Auckland. Early this evening a small shore mail was placed on board the Renown. The bag was hauled on deck as it was impossible for the launch to go alongside. 0 Visitors Delighted. Both the Duke and Duchess expressed delight with their visit to the Bay of Islands, the Duke being most appreciative of the fishing arrangements made by Mr. Flynn. who was presented with a signed photograph of the Royal pair. Shortly after S p.m. the big Renown put to sea. A handful of Russell people braved the rain and gathered on the hills behind the anchorage. The battleship moved out quickly towards the wide entrance, and her twinkling lights vanished as a rainstorm swept in from the east. The King's ship was again at sea.