DUNEDIN'S CRUISE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22192, 20 August 1935, Page 6

DUNEDIN'S CRUISE

TINY OCEAN ISLET VISIT FROM WARSHIP f, Holiday at danger lsund PEOPLE OF THE SIMPLE LIFE j [FROM OCR OWN C'ORRKSPOXD !Nr] HONOLULU. Aiu. 8 One day recently as Mr. G. Henry was conducting his class in general education and fundamental sciences 011 remote, diminutive Danger Island, a few miles north of Samoa, his work was suddenly interrupted by a breathless messenger, who stumbled into the iinpiovised classroom and gasped "A ship! " Mr. Henry forthwith declared a school holiday, donned his best tropical ensemble and went out to neet the fchip, which ho at first felt inclined to believe was just another miragn on the horizon from the rarely visitoe island. Kxciteruaut that was runniig high burst into hysterics of joy whei it was seen that the fast-aoproaehing ;li p was none other than H.M.S. Dunedin, trim flagship of the New Zealand D vision of the Royal Navy. She was ctiling in at Danger Island as one of ler duty calb on a routine winter cruisj among British possessions. Bearing 0 special assortment cf fishhooks, some coconuts and assorted native trinkets, Mr. Henry, in the company tour skilled native |>addlers, put out in a large outrigger .'anoe to meet the Dunedin on the oc»aa side of the dangerous surf which bursts upon the coral reef, for the is:aiicl has no port. Thus bearing gifts and goodwill, he was graciously received by the Jsew Zealanders. Mail Twice a Year After a formal exchange <f greetings, Mr. Henrj- was asked il he had received a letter announcing the purPOSB of the Dunedin's visit. ' What letter;" asked Mr.. .Tcnr.v. ' Why," said Commodore the Hon. E. It. Drummond, "the letter v e posted four mouths ago telling you that we would soon leave on our annual winter cruise and would visit you to administer any medical aid which you might need." "Ah," said Mr. Henry, "our mail is delivered/only twice a year. Your letter will probably reach me when tie next trading schooner arriVes in ab jufc eieht weeks' time." Surgeon-Commander A. W. Mcßorie wan the only member of the Dunedin's complement to go ashore. telescopes and field glasses on the ihp were focussed to watch his thrilling massage to the beach through the wiH surf as he perched in the stern of the sleek outrigger canoe. His "unexpected visit caused great excitement. Life ~n the Lonely Isle Approximately 600 people live on th(f tiny island which is only t vo square miles in area. Mr. Henry is ths resident agent, commissioned by the Vc w Zealand Government to regulate life on the lortely isle. He is a half-caste. Ml others on the island are full blooded Melanesians. Mr. Henry's niece is a qualified nurse who attends to puts, bruises and broken bones dirng the long periods between visits by ships' doctors. In addition to his relatively simple duties as Government agent, Mr. Henrv acts as schoolmaster in an improvised " room " which if £. quaint native grass hut. Mr. Henry called together the island's entire population for Commander, Mcßorie's inspection. lies asked if any had pains and atfhes, tut even his suggestions could not fin<l work for his ski lied knowledge. A pjo pie who live solely on native fruits and fish do not suffer the minor ills af civilisation. Dunedin's Visit to Honolalu In return for the hospitality of the islanders to tho Dunedin's personnel, the craiser left with Mr. ftmry for distribution among his people a generous supply of welcome newspapers and magazines, tobacco and medicinal supplies. The Dunedin contnned her cruise, which brought her to Honolulu on a goodwill mission. Here she remained from July 3 to July 111, White in Honolulu the behaviour and discipline on the ship nade a fine impression. A newspaper slid: ' The Dunedin's men are .like Ihdir ship. Particularly impressive is the manner in which they go about their routine duties, They" are capable men of a capable unit of the Britisi Empire s far-flung navy. All of the men obviously Sire well trained. Some of them lie yoiing in rears but they are old in the ways of the sea." And naively, the writer added j " Be sure ;o the cruiser the flagship of the New Zealand Division of the Royal Navy, and many of her men New Zcalanders. They iivill Hoomin' well shoot atij blighter livho calls them ' Australian 1 A long round of official and native entertainments for the officers and nien made the Dunedin's visit to Honolulu all too short. Visiting Honolulu at the name time wan the United S;a;es battleship Tennessee with a large group of young Americans attached to the renerve officers' training corps. These young men were entertained at the name parties as the Duned n's officers, and ho were established many enjoyable friendships. The Dunedin is duo to reiich Auckland on August 30. /