Two Unheralded Ships

Rarotonga in a Flutter

From Our Own Correspondent

Rarotonga, Aug. 1.

RAROTONGA’S even tenor of shipping, consisting of one steamer a month, has been rudely disturbed during the last few days.

One July afternoon recently natives of Takitumu district sighted a strange steamer approaching the island. When the reoort came through to the main settlement of Avarua that a large black ship, with no flag flying, was anchored close to the reef at Matavera local ex citement quickened. The vessel approached quite close to the island and then steamed away as quickly as she had ap peared. She was later identified as the Union Co. steamer “Waiotapu”, appar ently having called to verify her bearings.

This would have been quite enough cx

citement for one month, but more was yet to follow.

The monthly steamer ”Matua”, due in the morning, a few days later, did not arrive, and it was not until dusk that a light was sighted far out to sea. Instantly the settlement awoke for its monthly burst of energy. Store staffs dashed to work, Government officials hurried to their offices, the wharf gangs were marshalled, and all was a-bustle. The Doctor and the Collector of Customs, ploughing through the darkness on a Union Co. launch, were puzzled at the unusual position of the ship and the absence of the usual noise associated with a large steamer.

However, a hearty shout provoked the answering hail from out of the murky night, 'Lorna D.. of Victoria, 8.C.”.

The ”Matua“ duly appeared at fresh dawn, next morning.

Captain and Mrs. A. J. Davidge, of the yacht “Lorna D”, which was 15 days out of Papeete, via Bora Bora, are paying their first visit to the Cooks. Captain "and

Mrs. Davidge built their sturdy craft in Canada 15 years ago and have made it their home ever since. They will shortly proceed to Suva, via Suwarrow and Tonga.