THE GOVERNOR.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2546, 6 July 1909, Page 5

THE GOVERNOR.

His' SOUTH SEA 'ISLANDS TRIP. (Per Press Association.) A AUCKLAND, July 5. H.M.S. Challenger with the Governor aboard,' returned from the cruise in the South Sea Islands tin's morning. The warship visited Rarotonga, Mangaia, Aitu, and Aitutaki. She steamed about 4000 miles. There was fine weather except for the. last day at Rarotonga, when rain somewhat marred the festivities. On the return trip the Challenger averaged fifteen ’knots. She had been in wireless communication with the Encounter, bound to Auckland, and with Sydney since Sunday morning. HIS EXCELLENCY’S TOUR. (Press Association Despatch.) H.M.S, Challenger, Rarotonga, Juno ' 25 (24th New Zealand time.) After a most pleasant trip, H.M.S. Challenger, with His Excellency the Governor, Lord Plunkot,, on board, arrived at Rarotonga early this morning, and dropped anchor off Avarua just before breakfast. Except for a little rain, the weather was delightful, and for those who like heat, the experience -of gradually leaving behind the chilly New Zealand winter and steaming into the genial warmth of tho tropics was delightful. One shed one’s heavy winter wear a garment at a time, and donned light and airy white—which seems strangely out of place in the month of June to New Zealanders. This little incident brought home very forcibly the extent the Dominion widened her boundaries when she reached out and took under her wing that little group of islands which lies away to the north-east, 1600 miles as the sea-bird flies-to the nearest islet. The Governor and his aides—Captain Shannon and Captain Gaythorno Hardy—are good sailors, so they thoroughly enjoyed the run up. Like most naval men, Captain H. O. C. da Costa and his officers are charming hosts, and they made the time pass most pleasantly. We came along at what is known as “economical speed”—a little over 10 knots an hour, as the coal had to bo conserved to last out over the cruise—which will run into some 4000 miles before Auckland is reached again. One night at sea the ship’s company got up a concert for the amusement of the vice-regal party, and it was a revelation of the astonishing “handiness” of the handyman to those who previously knew him only by repute. In a few hours one afternoon the quarter-deck was transformed into a miniature theatfe, and if it had not been for the gentle roll of the ship as she rose and fell in the swell of tho sea, it would have been hard to realise that one was in the middle of the Pacific Ocean as one sat and listened to the programme. Inside the quarter-deck awnings were hung flags of all colors, and the illusion was completed by the ingenious manner in which the electrical department had laid on the electrical light. Across the end of tho stern was rigged - a stage bright with flags, and the whole thing was complete even to footlights and limelight (evolved from the lantern used in night firing). His Excellency and stafl. Captain da Costa, and the officers of the ship, wearing the handsome evening dress of the service, occupied the “orchestra stalls,” and the rest of the ship’s company—nearly 500 men—disposed itself on the rest of the quarter-deck and perched itself in all sorts of inaccessible places, on guns, eta., till the entire “auditorium” was simply a sea of smiling Jack Tars, who seem to have retained the secret of complete enjoyment which most people lose when ' they leave school. The color, the light, the uniforms of the offieers, and the jolly sailors made up a scene which is unique in the world of theatres. A man-of-war audience would be an ideal one to make a first appearance before. It is de rigueur for all hands to join in the chorus, and even the most nervous performer would be put at liis ease if he heard 400 Tars blending their mellifluous voices in the refrain of “Put Me Among the Girls,” or some of the other classical pieces with which the programme (typewritten, if you please) bristled. Just at the fourth or fifth item, when Engineer-Commander Grant, accompanied on the ward-room piano by Dr. Cherry, was in Hie third verse of “The Longshoreman,” there was a sound as of “abundant rain,” and in a few seconds the scene, of gaiety was considerably damped by a typical tropical shower. The awning was letting through cascades of water in a very few seconds, and I cannot call to mind any concert which was so unanimously and quickly postponed. The engineer-commander stuck to his task for a bar or two, but it like singing in a shower hath, and soon there was a hasty rush for the companionways. The fire . brigade authorities would have received an admirable lesson in the ( speedy emptying of a theatre had they been present. The following night, however, tho weather clerk must have been: in a more congenial mood, as he smiled on the affair, which went off with much eclat. There were several songs (particularly strong in the chorus part), boxing contest, band selections, and a farce “Ex" Convict 99,” played by three of the ship’s company. Where they raked up the .properties it would be hard to say, hut the whole thing was really admirable. The band (which plays every evening, on the"'quarter-deck during dinner) is entirely a volunteer affair, the instruments being purchased by officers’ subscriptions,- and it reflects great credit on the bandmaster. Speed was regulated yesterday so that we should pick up land at daybreak, and we made tho roadstead as above. After Dr. Dawson, the. health officer, had been aboard, Colonel Gudgeon came off and had an interview with His Excellency. It was pot expected that the. Challenger would arrive before next Saturday, and it has been arranged that the Governor shall go on to Mangaia, Aitu, and Aitutaki, and return here at the end of the week for the official landing. His Excellency remained on board all day. A number of the officers came ashore, and as . this , is the first occasion on which the ship has been in these waters, they thoroughly enjoyed the day’s, outing. According to present arrangements, His Excellency will spend a. day at each of tho islands of Mangaia, Aitu, and Aitutaki, and make' his official landing here at Rarotonga next Monday, leaving for New Zealand the same evening. Whether it be Monday or Sunday, I am not quite sure, as we are on tho wrong sido (from a New Zealand standpoint) of tho 180th degree oi longitude. There was some doubt as to what day of the w.eek it was when we arrived, but after consultation with the health officer, the ship decided to follow'the. custom of the country, and call it Wednesday. It was comic (to a land-lubber) to lieai\ the boatswain s mate “'pipe the. day of the week, that is, announcing in his dulcet tones, wen tie as an incipient hurricane, that to-day was Wednesday, and to-morrow

would bo Thursday. We have already kept two days this week—what day I cannot call to memory just now — and any sort of exertion, even mental, is impossible in this climate, where the mercury ‘is bumping its head against tho top of the tube.