Four Months Through Central

Ngatakps Cruise

Four Months Through Central Pacific Islands

AFTER a 5,000 miles leisurely voyage among Central Pacific Islands, the New Zealand yacht Ngataki, with Mr. J.

Wray (owner and skipper), J. Baxter, A.

Mathias, and A. Colebrook on board, re turned to Auckland in the middle of December.

Leaving New Zealand in August last, they passed through the Kermadec Group and went on to Rurutu Island in the Tu buai Group, French Oceania. After a fort night in Tahiti they called at Borabora, where the crew met Alain Gerbault, the famous French yachtsman and former tennis player. He was staying there edu cating the natives in religion and sporting activities.

At Niue 50 canoes escorted them into the anchorage. The natives had heard Mr.

Wray speaking from IYA broadcasting station in New Zealand, and knew some thing about the Ngataki and her crew.

They were hospitably entertained with a motor car at their disposal and a surf-boat, manned by natives, was alongside the Ngataki all day to take them ashore when they wished. They stayed there for six days, the longest any boat had remained.

There is an open roadstead, and it was necessary to station a native watchman on the boat, keeping an eye on the weather.

Three weeks were spent in Tonga, cruis ing among the islands near Vavau, and then, meeting head winds, the yacht put in at Nukualofa for 12 days. Loaded with spears, woven baskets and mats, and a miscellany of native souvenirs, she sailed on December 8 for New Zealand. After a call at Sunday Island to pick up Mr. Reg.

Randall, the party reached Auckland with out mishap.