FOUR WARSHIPS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 204, 30 August 1933, Page 10

FOUR WARSHIPS.

ARRIVING TO-MORROW. VISITING AUSTRALIANS. ENTERTAINMENT PLANS. The temporarily-created South Pacific Fleet, comprisin? the two cruisers of the New Zealand base, and the two larger ones of the Australian Squadron, will leave Russell'this evening and arrive in Auckland at 7 a.m. to-morrow. H.il.S. Dunedin and Diomede will berth at the Sheerlega wharf, Devonport, H.M.A.s. Canberra will come alongside Central wharf, and H.M.A.s. Australia is to anchor in the stream. The fleet will remain hi Auckland until September 6, when it will depart for further exercises in the gulf. Following three days there, the Canberra will proceed to Wellington and the Australia to Dunedin. Full preparations for entertainment of officers and crews of the visiting warships have been made by the Navy League, and even while lying at Russell the officers have been deluged with invitations for social functions that would more than occupy all their free time here. Clubroom at Wharf. The Harbour Board has placed shed No. 11, Central wharf, at the disposal of the Navy League, and it will be organised as a clubroom, with temperance buffet, for the visiting crews. A dance floor has been laid down, and on each evening, except Sunday, dances will be held. Organisation on the lines adopted during the visits of the British Special Service Squadron, the American Fleet and the Dutch Squadron will be adopted. Refreshments will be served each evening by the ladies' committee of the league. The girls' branch and the Devonport sub-branch of the league are taking an active interest in the provision of dancing partners. On Sundayevening a concert will be held in the clubroom. A dance has been arranged for the men of both the Australian Squadron and the New Zealand cruisers. It will be held at the dockyard, Devonport, on Saturday next. The City Council has placed the Town Hall at the disposal of the Navy League, and a ball for the officers of both squadrons will be held there next Tuesday. Their First Visit. the great majority of the complement of the Australian ships are visiting New Zealand for the first time, and are looking forward with eagerness to their arrival in Auckland. There i 3 an additional attraction in the fact that pay day will coincide with the arrival of the fleet. The Australians will certainly be able to satisfy the craving they had on coming ashore at Russell—the desire to consume New Zealand fresh fish. Yesterday it was the intention of the two Seagull flying boats of the Canberra and Australia to accompany the New Zsaland Fairey seaplane on her return to Auckland. If this intention is carried out, the "eyes of the Navy" should reach Hobsonville this afternoon, and during the next few days Aucklanders will see the two Australian flying boats aloft.