9000 MILES.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 243, 14 October 1933, Page 11

9000 MILES.

VERONICA'S CRUISE.

ISLANDS OF THE SOUTH SEAS LOYALTY OF THE NATIVES. Over 9000 miles were covered by His Majesty's sloop Veronica in the course of her annual South Sea Island cruise, which ended with the warship's return to Auckland last evening. One thing that impressed itself on all 011 board was the loyalty displayed-by the natives at the numerous out-of-the-way places at which the sloop "showed the flag." The Veronica left Auckland on June 16 and proceeded first to Vavau. Bunkers were replenished at Pago Pago, and the warship then went to Rarotonga. A number of calls were made round the Cook Group at the request of the -Resident Commissioner. Visits were then paid to Tahiti, Raiatea, Onorca, Bora Bora, Penrhyn Island, Pago Pago, Puka Puka and Apia. From the latter place the sloop embarked a number of Samoan Government officials for a cruise round the Tokelau Group. After disembarking the Government party at Apia, at the conclusion of the cruise, the ship proceeded to Suva, calling at Savaii Island

and Niuafona Island on the way. A number of calls were made at places in the Fiji Group, and gunnery practice was carried out at Lautoka. 111 all, 28 places were visited during the cruise.

Soundings were taken at all placcs visited, and in Labasa Passage an uncharted rock was discovered. The weather during the cruise was generally fair. Cut Off From the World. The visit of the Veronica to Papeete coincided with the celebration of the French national fete day, and the officers and men of the warship were extended every hospitality. In a sports competition between the men of the sloop and the French naval and military representatives honours were about even. One of the most interesting places visited by the Warship was Puka Puka, one of the outlying islands of the Cook Group. Puka Puka is completely cut off from Rarotonga, and the Veronica was the first warship to visit the island for six years. Without wireless or any other means of communication, the island's only link with the outside world is a small trading schooner which blows in about once in every three months. The native women, as an expression of loyalty, insisted on making pifts of ornaments, hats and even food, although, as the result of a drought, food was not plentiful on the island. "The loyalty of the natives is very strong," said Captain W. L. Jackson this morning. "They often ask that their expressions of loyalty be conveyed to the Ring." Referring to the sloop's visit to Pago Pago, Captain Jackson said that the Americans could not have been more hospitable toward their own countrymen. Humours of Japanese Craft. Rumours of a strange Japanese craft, whose mysterious movements have been referred to in stories from the islands recently, were heard by those on board the sloop, but nothing was seen of the vessel. One officer said that the general opinion was that the craft was merely a pirate trader and was not, as had beenstated, interested in taking soundings and gathering other information relative to the islands. The Veronica, will remain in port until November 7, when she will sail for the South. After visiting Port Fjtzroy, Great Barrier, she will go to Gisborne, Wellington. Akaroa. Lyttelton, Timaru, Dunedin, Stewart Island, West Coast Sounds, Greymonth and West port. 1 rom December 13 until December .28 the sloop will be at Timaru. She is scheduled to return to Auckland on January 25.