H.M.S. LABURNAM.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20337, 20 February 1928, Page 7

H.M.S. LABURNAM.

ARRIVAL IN DUNEDIN. A WEEK’S VISIT. An arrival in Dunedin yesterday morning was H.M.S. Laburnam, from nowhere in particular. Her last port was Gisborne, but since then she has been manoeuvring off the coast. The Laburnam left Auckland on Saturday, February 11, and, with the Veronica, was engaged for some time in looking- for the rock which the Northumberland is supposed to have struck. The search, however, was unsuccessful.

This is one of the periodic visits that are paid by these sloops to the southern ports, and the Laburnam’s present visit will extend until next Alonday. Last year a visit was paid by the Veronica. These two vessels are not part of the New Zealand division, but are kept by the British Government with the main object of visiting the Pacific Islands, where about four or five months of the year—the winter months—are spent. It is fully five years since the Laburnam last visited these waters, and, indeed, none of the present officers or men has seen Dunedin before.

The ship was extended an official welcome by the Harbour Board and the Mayor, and the men will, during their in stay in Dunedin, attend one or two functions. The ship’s company has been offered the use of the trams during their stay in this city. On her departure from Dunedin the Laburnam will proceed up the coast to Timaru, Lyttelton, and Wellington.