Our Illustrations.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLIII, Issue 5, 4 August 1909, Page 16

Our Illustrations.

JACK TARS IN MISFORTUNE. URING the visit of H.M.B. ChalI ■ lenger to the Cook Islands, f six sailors on shore leave were V--<r escorted by some natives into a secluded part of the bush, where they were entertained by the natives. The bluejackets were delayed 'by the hospitality that was showered on them, and had to make a bolt for it. What with strange bush paths and native hospitality, and perhaps a preference for Island life rather than the strict discipline of the ship, they wandered in the forest until daybreak, when they reached the beach to find the warship had departed. Pending the arrival of the Hauroto, they were well treated by natives and Europeans, and, as will be seen from the picture, their lives were not of the most monotonous. They were placed on board the Hauroto, but two escaped by jumping overboard and swimming ashore. The other four were brought to Auckland and remanded in custody until they could be dealt with by the naval authorities. In the second picture the bluejackets may be seen attired as Cook Islanders of the cannibal period, standing over and pinning down with their long spears some natives attired in the sailors’ uniforms —ready killed for putting in the native oven prior to eating—• a drama which would certainly have occurred in reality in the cannibal days if six defenceless sailors had been left on the island. NEW ZEALAND EADIES AT CAMBRIDGE. Quite a party of New Zealanders were the guests of Mrs. and Miss Gillies, of Auckland, at Cambridge last week for the “May Week” races, which nowadays take place in June. Mrs. Gillies, whose health has very greatly improved, has taken a house at Cambridge to be near her married daughter, who lives there. The old University town was crowded with visitors on this occasion. Mrs. Gillies first gave a luncheon party at the famous Bull Hotel, and the guests afterwards were conveyed down the Cam on one of the delightful barges secured for these occasions. The races, in which a New Zealander, Mr. F. E. Riddiford, son of Mrs. Riddiford, of Hawke’s Bay, was taking part, were followed with absorbed interest by the enthusiastic coterie of New Zealanders, who included Mrs. Gillies, Miss Gillies, Miss Williamson, the Misses Bleazard, Mr. E. W. G. Rathbone, all of Auckland, and Mrs. Riddiford, of Hawke’s Bay, with two daughters. Mrs. Mitchell, Mrs. Gillies’ married daughter, who lives at Cambridge, was also present.