NAVAL BASE AT AUCKLAND.

Auckland Star, Volume XLII, Issue 217, 12 September 1911, Page 2

NAVAL BASE AT AUCKLAND.

(To the Editor.) Sir,—-Rumour is often a lying jade, but that going the rounds at present, to the eflect that the navy headquarters are not to he in Auckland after all, is certainly coloured by the fact that a naval defence conference has been called to. meet in Wellington. In the majority of important public matters the public bestir themselves too late, and perhaps thm as no exception to the rule. Many theories are advanced, one of which I wish to combat—that is, that the Admiral can find no suitable residence in Auckland, Admiralty House lease having some years to run. Some maintain that otheT snitable quarters could be obtained, but this is doubtful. On inquiry) I find that Admiralty House was instituted as a residenco on the suggestion of the Admiralty, and that the site was selected by the Admiral on this station after he had inspected several sites around Auckland, Three other Admirals endorsed the selection, and an Act was passed authorising it. The City Council gave up their interest in the land, the Bank disposed of its interest at about half its value, the Government voted (by Act) £I,OOO for furnishing, and also gave the site of the old Admiralty House, worth about £2,500; "extras," which were put in presumably at the request of the Admiral, cost another few hundreds. The plans were selected from competitive designs by a Board of Architects, of which the chairman was the Government Engineer (Mr. Vickerman). Similar residences are located at Launceston (Tasmania) and at Adelaide, and it was then known in Admiralty circles that sooner or later the headquarters of the squadron would be located in Auckland. The official residence of the Admiral could only be at Sydney so long as there was one Australasian squadron. I also find that the members of the Harbour Board, at tha completion of building, who were really opposed to the establishment of the residence (for what reason I cannot under_ataD.d), zeqiTired Ma Excellency; the Ad-

miral to declare Admiralty House an official residence. This he could not do, as it -was entirely against the traditions, powers, and rules of the navy, . Now, as this establishment has been earning ten per cent, and as there is a standing offer for the residence of £15,000, which cost, say, £15,000 to £7,000, it is too good to part with. Why not place Government House at the disposal of the naval authorities and retain Admiralty House, until, at the present lease runs out? —I am, etc., TJB.G.