"Lorna D" is Homeward

Bound

By Leigh Shaw

AFTER having spent some two years looking in, and making friends, at many Pacific Islands, Captain Dav idge, his wife, and son, are now home ward-bound from Fiji to British Colum bia, in the trim little two-masted schooner, “Lorna D.” She lay in Suva for some two years.

Of the small but determined band of individualists who will go down to the sea in small ships, Captain Davidge is probably one of the last to be found roaming the ocean in these uncertain times.

Built, owned, and sailed by Captain Davidge, the “Lorna D” is, below decks, as homely and domestic a ship as one could meet on the high seas. To see the skipper chopping kindling on deck, Mrs.

Davidge stoking up the old wood-burning range and baking scones in the oven, with the ship’s cat purring contentedly on the hearth, was a tonic that warmed the heart of many a privileged Islands resident. It was claimed of the cat—an important personage—that it displayed a pronounced nautical roll on the rare occasions it ventured ashore.

For many months a familiar sight in Suva was the lean, spare figure of Cap tain Davidge, clad appropriately in peaked cap, blue sweater, and dungarees, picking grass as medicine for the cat.

Equally satisfying was the sight of Mrs.

Davidge—kind, intelligent, homely body— off to market with her basket under her arm.

To go aboard the “Lorna D,” purr with the cat, and bask in the peace and good

will that emanated from this homely craft, was a pleasing respite from the noise and bustle of a war-conscious Suva —a refuge that has sailed away.

Our Rarotonga correspondent reports that the “sturdy little schooner,” “Lorna D,” made a call there en route to Van couver. He says that Captain Davidge is now resolved to “sell the old home” (the “Lorna D”), and settle down ashore.

Shyam Singh, who was convicted of murder, in Fiji, 18 months ago, was executed in Korovou gaol on October 14.

The execution was stayed owing to notice having been given of intention to appeal, but recent advice from England was that there were no certifiable grounds for an appeal.

Total receipts for the Fiji Red Cross and War Appeal Committee were £4,874/15/- for the year ending June 30, 1942. Of this amount Suva contributed £1,357 and Vatukoula (Tavua goldfield) £1.183. Since the inception of the com mittee in September, 1939, £15,316 has been subscribed, nearly £ll,OOO of whcih has already been allocated by the Fiji War Appeals Board.