THE SOUTHERN CROSS.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 19133, 17 October 1927, Page 16

THE SOUTHERN CROSS.

NO ALARM FELT. (rItESS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM.) AUCKLAND, October 15. The Melanesian Mission authorities at Auckland feel no anxiety whatsoever concerning the Southern Cross, stated Major H„ S. Robertson this morning when replying to a report that- a certain amount of concern was .being shown for the vessel, which is duo at Solomon Islands. . Tho' report said it was not considered safe for the vessel to undertake any protracted.tour of the Solomons, especially Tulagai, where tho recent massacre occurred and in view of the fact that she was not equipped with wireless, instructions had been issued to tho warship Adelaide to intercept the Southern Cross and ensure a safe passage to tho group. Major Robertson explained that the massacre did not take place at Tulagai, but on the island of Malaita. Tulagai was not on this island, but was tho headquarters of the British Protectorate,, the Government and the residence of the Commissioner. It will be recalled that when tho Southern Cross left Auckland recently, her departure was delayed ■ for several hours by the Marine Department, because she was not equipped in accordance tvitli the New Zealand wireless regulations, but as the vessel is registered in London, it appeared that she was not governed by the Act, and so was allowed to proceed minus the equipment.