NAVAL TRAINING SCHEME.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIV, Issue 89, 15 April 1903, Page 6

NAVAL TRAINING SCHEME.

WELLINGTON, April 14.

The Premier, when addressing the pupils of St Patrick's College, at Waimate, on Thursday, said one result of his trip to the Home Country was that the Imperial Government had offered to the New Zealand Government, and the offer had been accepted, the gunboat Sparrow, which will be equipped as a training ship. He intended to ask the authorities also to give New Zealand the Sparrow's sister ship, the Lizard, and the colony would then have two training ships, one for the North Island and one for the South Island. The Premier also referred to arrangements that are in progress in the matter of the Australian and New Zealand ■ Squadron. There are to be three drill ships, which are to be manned entirely by New Zealanders and Australians. In connection with them there is to be a reserve of men who have gone through a seafaring life, and who have been trained. Before this colony can get a sufficient number to form its quota to place on board the drill ship it will be necessary to have training ships. The Government will then take suitable boys, place them on the training ships, and ultimately they will form part of the great naval reserve of England and Australasia.