NEW MISSION VESSEL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21279, 5 September 1932, Page 10

NEW MISSION VESSEL

ARRIVAL OF COMMANDER AN INTERESTING CAREER The commander of the Melanesian Mission's new motor-vessel Southern Cross, Captain A. M. Stanton, arrived at Auckland from London by the Port Huon yesterday. Ho was in charge of the vessel on her trials before ho left England, and will resume command when she arrives at Auckland in weeks. Captain Stanton is a comparatively i young man, but lie has already had a most interesting career. He was a member of Sir Douglas Mawson's expedition to the Antarctic last year, during which considerable areas in the South Polar regions were claimed on behalf of Great Britain. Previously Captain Stanton had spent about four years on trading vessels in the Islands, visiting the Solomons and the Santa Cruz group. Ho is thoroughly acquainted with most of the islands among which tho new mission vessel will cruise. Captain Stanton speaks enthusiastically concerning the new Southern Cross and her suitability for the work for which she is intended. She is a twin-screw motorship, he said, excellently designed, and on her trials had done nearly 10 knots. Her running costs would represent a considerable saving over those of the old mission steamer. Captain Stanton left last evening for Wellington, where ho will sit for his extra master's ticket. Ho will return to Auckland at the end of tho week.