H.M.S. DUNEDIN.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 19132, 15 October 1927, Page 16

H.M.S. DUNEDIN.

RETURNING TO AKAROA. [THB PBE3B Special Service.] AUCKLAND, October 14. After a stay, of four days at, Auckland H.M.S. Dunedin will leave for Akaroa to-morrow morning to complete her programme in connexion with -her annual tour of • New Zealand ports. The uwarship will rejoin H.M.S/ Diomede off Lyttelton Heads on Monday morning and the two vessels will.proceed to Akaroa in company. They will later go to Wellington and will return to Auckland on November 25th. A report was current, yesterday that the Dunedin was to leave Auckland this morning under sealed orders, her probable destination being either Samoa or the Solomon Islands. .However, this is not the case. The Dunedin's sudden return to the Devon Tort base was made under orders from the Navy Office, Wellington. ; It was anticipated her services might \be " necessary either at Samoa or the Solomon Islands. However, as H.M.A.S. Adelaide has left Sydney for the Solomons and the sloop Veronica is already-at Suva, it was thought these two vessels would be cap-/* able of handling any crisis which might arise. The Dunedin was ordered to take in provisions and oil fuel for a long cruise, but fresh orders received within the past day or two made it unnecessary to finalise these preparations. . . A certain amount of concern is being shown for the Melanesian mission steamer, Southern Cr,oss, which is duo in the Solomons at any time novj> The vessel has already called at. tHe New Hebrides on her periodical voyage north; during which she intends to call at the usual mission stations. It .m not considered safe for her to undertake any protracted tour of the Solomons, especially Tulagi, where the recent massacre _ occurred. However, the steamer is not equipped with wireless, and«it has not been possible lor 1 any warning to be communicated to her. In view of this instructions have been issued to H.M.A.S. Adelaide to intercept the mission steamer and to ensure her safe passage in the group. , Considerable disappointment was felt by certain of the Dunedin's crew at the sudden alteration in the itinerary, which has meant that the cruiser will not visit Lyttelton this year. Several of the company who are married have their families in Christchurch, and it is now two years since the Dunedin has been at Lyttelton. Among those who were entertained at lunch by Commodore Swabey on board H.M.S. Diomede on Thursday were the Mayor of Lyttelton (Mr F. E. Sutton), Town Clerk (Mr F. Hobbs), chairman of the Lyttelton Harbour Board (Mr E. Galbraith), and actingsecretary (Mr C. H. Clibborn). H.M.S. Diomede will be open to visitors to-day and to-morrow from 1 p.m. till 4.30 p.m. She is to sail on Monday for Akaroa.