ISLANDS CLAIMED

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22539, 2 October 1936, Page 10

ISLANDS CLAIMED

BRITISH SOVEREIGNTY ACTION OF H.M.S. LEITH WINTER CRUISE ENDED RETURN OF BOTH SLOOPS Official publication of Groat Britain's possession of certain islands in the Phoenix Group, east of the Gilbert and Ellico Islands, was made during the annual winter cruise of H.M.b. Leith, which returned to Auckland early yesterday afternoon after an absence of three and a-half months. The renewal of Great Britain's claims to these islands, which she originally annexed in 1889-1892, was made following recent American and Japanese activities in the South Pacific.

The announcement that the islands belonged to Great Britain was made on notice-boards, which were nailed to palm trees, proclaiming the fact that "This island belongs to King Edward VJll."—the first time, probably, that King Ed ward's name has been used in such circumstances. Each notice was signed by the commander of the Leith, Captain Oliver JJevir. Although tbo Leitli was not expected to arrive from Norfolk Island, her last call on the way home, until iast night, she was able to make up several hours by skirting a storm which caused Ii.M.S. Wellington to reduce speed on Tuesday. She berthed at the Devonport Naval Ease just after 1.30 p.m. The Wellington, whjch ran into the storm just after completing a full-power trial, arrived at 7.45 p.m., berthing alongside the Leith Solar Expedition At the Phoenix Group, to which she went after calling at Tonga, Suva, and the Gilbert and Ellice Islands, thp Leith left two water tanks that were taken on board at Auckland for the use next year of the New Zealand Solar Expedition. During the ship's short stay at Suva on the outward voyage boat-pulling and sailing contests were held with 11.M.5. Wellington and H.M.S. Dunedin, the Leith's crews coming first and second in every race.

After calling at Suva again, the Leith cruised to the New Hebrides, where the officers and crew made tlieir first acquaintance with cannibals at Hog Harbour, a port of the island of Espiritu Santo. Clothed only in a strip of cloth, these natives &ad proved rather surly. They carried old Snider carbines at full-cock, and one of the officers had a vivid recollection of a visit made by a party from the sloop to the interior. They came to a village. deserted except for one old man, with his loaded carbine across his knees. Then, while the party was still wondering how to proceed, a bunch of similarly armed natives came out of the trees behind the village. But, although they were not friendly, they made no attempt to molest the visitors.

From the New Hebrides, the Leith went to New Caledonia, arriving at Noumea on September 21 and leaving again on September 26. Except for a day spent at Norfolk Island, no stop was made on the voyage back to Auckland. Bishop on Wellington The Wellington, after holding bombardment practice off Lautoka, Fiji, went to Suva, and then called at the Tongan, Samoan, Cook and Society Groups, as well as at a number of outlying islands. She paid two visits to some of the groups, once on the outward voyage and again coming back. From the beginning of July until September 24, she carried Bishop Kempthorne, of Polynesia, on a tour of his extensive diocese.

Apart from the storm, which was the worst experienced by the sloop during her present commission, the cruise was uneventful.

Neither sloop reported any serious cases of illness. The Leith had to leave one seaman in hospital at Suva, while one of the Wellington men also was left there. Leith to be Paid Oft Although they have not completed the two and a-half years of their commission, having arrived in New Zealand in November, 1934, the officers and crew of tl\o Leith will be paid off in December. This step is being taken in order to enable the Imperial officers and ratings to return to England before the steamship lines have to cope with the New Zealand and Australian visitors to London for the Coronation. They will leave Auckland by the Rangitata on December 17, the new officers and crew who are to replace them being due at Auckland by the Rangitane on December 16.