SHOWING THE FLAG

Evening Star, Issue 25893, 10 September 1946, Page 5

SHOWING THE FLAG

CRUISE BY CORVETTE ARBUTUS TWO MONTHS AMONG PACIFIC ISLANDS (P A.) AUCKLAND, Sept. 9. Reviving the established peace-time custom of the Royal New Zealand navy, the Flower class corvette Arbutus 12 is to undertake a two months’ cruise of the Pacific Islands under the command of Lieutenant-commander J. O’Neill, D.S.C., R.N.Z.N. The Arbutus is to leave Auckland on September 17, and her departure for Rarotonga will be made three days later from Wellington. Showing the flag in the Pacific is no new role for New Zealand ships. The two prd-war cruisers on the stations made _ regular _ cruises among the islands', and during the war New Zealand corvettes visited the. Fiji group, the Ellis Islands, and the Solomons, Often they were able to assist the colonial office administrators in maintaining touch with the more remote islands under their jurisdiction. On arrival at Rarotonga, the Arbutus will embark the Resident Commissioner for visits to Mangaia, Mauke,

Mitiaro, Atiu, and Aitutalki before proceeding to Papeete and neighbouring islands, such as Penrhyu, Manihiki. and Rakahanga. From Pukapukn, where she is expected on October 19, the ship wi}l call at Apia and then pay an official call to Pago Pago, in American Samoa, with the British Administrator of Western Samoa on board. After visiting other islands, including Fakaofo, Atafu, and Nukunono, the Arbutus will return to Apia on November 1, and is due back in New Zealand waters on November 19. She is then expected to undertake a brief cruse to the Auckland and Campbell Islands.