“TERROR OF SPIES”

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 56, Issue 99, 7 February 1936, Page 2

“TERROR OF SPIES”

NOTED FIGURE DURING THE WAR.

GARDENING NOW HIS HOBBY. (Per Press Association). AUCKLAND, Feb. 5. Wearing a yachting cap and easy attire. the man who, during Ihe war, was a terror to spies, Admiral Sir Reginald Hall, R.N., K.C.M.G-., arrived in Auckland' by the tourist ship Otranto from Brisbane. He is now retired and bis chief hobby is gardening at Ins home near New forest. No one walking the deck of the Otranto would have picked the man with the silvery hair and cheery demeanour, who, according to the passengers making the round trip, will be greatly missed for his companionship. As a former director of the Intelligence Division of the Admiralty War staff, this is the man, however, who, during the war, was probably the repository of more German secrets than any other Briton. Admiral Hall’s emissaries were active in every corner of the world. He was a terror to German agents and spies who came within his well-spread net. Nearly every notorious spy came under his spell sooner or later, among them being the man who landed in Ireland in a, collapsible boat from a submarine —Sir Roger Casement, who attempted to organise an Irish brigade among the prisoners of wav in Germany, and Captain Franz von Rintelen, who used millions of dollars plotting, against America and was captured in a British port <sn his way to Germany. Captain von Rintelen-' was present last year at the wedding of Admiral Hall’s daughter, and the admiral and his former adversary exchanged reminiscences. The admiral tracked down submarine commanders, who were the greatest menace at sea, and could account for a great percentage of the sunken U boats, which harassed British shipping. Asked what his present activities were, Admiral Hall said gardening at his home was liis main hobby, hut he evaded the question whether he was still working in any official capacity. New Forest, of 90,000 acres, he said, provided him with all the recreation he wanted. Admiral Hall is now 66 years of age, and for 36 years he serviced in the navy. He was the first captain of the battle cruiser Queen Mary, and he commanded that vessel in action in Heligoland Bight on August 28, 1914. While' he was captain of the Natal he was presented byi the Lord Mayor of Liverpool in 1911, on behalf of the underwriters and owners, with a silver centrepiece, in recognition of his gallantry and resource on the occasion when the Celtic Race whs nearly lost off Pembrokeshire. After his retirement from naval service in 1918 Admiral Hall was a member of the House of Commons for 10 years, representing first the Liverpool seat and then Eastport. “Your coast has a most hospitable look about it,” said Admiral Hall, the Otranto having arrived on a perfect afternoon. The admiral dined at Government House to-night, and he will leave by the Monterey for Los Angeles on Saturday, proceeding home via the West Indies.