READY FOR SEA

Evening Star, Issue 20440, 22 March 1930, Page 14

READY FOR SEA

DEPARTURE TO-MORROW AFTERNOON SAILING OF CITY OF HEW YORK Between 2 and 3 o’clock to-morrow afternoon the barque Citv of New Yo ,- k will cast off her moorings at the Rattray street wharf and sail for Tahiti, en route for America. The barque and her complement have become familiar figures on Otago Harbour since they arrived late in November, 1928. Since her arrival, her base has been located at Dunedin, and it is from this port that she made her two adventurous trips to the Ice Barrier.

Captain F C. Melville still retains command of the sailing ship, and most of the members of the expedition who journeyed to New Zealand aboard the City of New York will return in her. The captain has made himself popular in these waters, not only with fellow sea captains, but with a host of citizens, .and the men oq, his ship have distinguished themselves by their exceptionally good behaviour while in the port. The name of the City of New York and her .complement stands high in Dunedin, and the handling of the ship on the hazardous trips to the Bay of Whales was proof of the sailing abilities of the men.

The City of New York will be the first unit of the expedition to start on its homeward journey. She will be followed a week later bv the Eleanor Boling, and there will then remain in Dunedin only Admiral Byrd and Mr C. E. Lofgren < “ I feel that an explanation should be made why I am not leaving New Zealand on either of the expedition’s ships,” stated Admiral Byrd to-day to a ‘Star’ reporter. “I am remaining to straighten out the business affairs iii New Zealand, and to see the departure of the last unit. I will then travel by mail steamer, and rejoin the ships at Panama.” ' Personal effects were being loaded on the City of New York this morning, and all her cabins will be lumbered with trunks and cases when she leaves Dunedin. The bunkers are filled with coal, and many tons of fuel are being stacked in sacks above the main hatch.

The City of New York will be towed down the harbour by the tug Dunedin, on which only members of the Harbour Board < and the official party will be travelling. The yachtsmen intend to give the ship a farewell. FAREWELL TO CAPTAIN MELVILLE A UNIQUE FUNCTION A unique farewell was tendered to Captain Melville, master of tho City of New York, on Thursday night at Quarantine Island. Many of the captain’s friends throughout Otago and large parties of Maoris from Portobello and the Kails, and even as far away as Waikouaiti assembled in the spacious hall on the island made,available for the occasion by Mr R. C. Miller. Poi dances in Native costume, traditional songs in Maori, and many hakas wore given in the captain’s honour. ■ t Chief Tuni Karatai, from the; Kaik, made a memorable address in his , native tongue. He gave a very interesting lecture on tho Maori race and its traditions, speaking on the migration of the Maoris to the Southern Seas, and expressing his delight that the pakeha ,in such small craft as the City of New York was still able to venture successfully into the Polar Seas. On behalf of the Southern Maori races he made a presentation of a silver kiwi mounted on a polished greenstone slab. His speech was translated by the Rev. Mr Hatton. Captain Melville, in reply, expressed his regret at having to leave these shores and his very many friends. Ho was carrying away pleasant recollections of a memorable eighteen months in New Zealand waters, and he was looking forward to the day when he would be able to return. Musical numbers and dancing continued until the early hours of the morning, when many launches and the ferry steamer Tarawa! left for their various destinations.