NAVAL ACTIVITY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 102, 1 May 1936, Page 8

NAVAL ACTIVITY.

NEW CREW FOR LEITH„

TO BE RECOMMiSSIONED.

WORK AT DEVONPORT.

The sloop, H.M.S. Leitli, Is to be recommissioned this year. It is customary for ships of the Royal Navy to proceed Home on such occasions, but on account of the expense involved the Leitli will be recommissioned here. A new crew will bo sent out from England, arriving probably in December, and the present complement will then return to England. H.M.S. Leitli has been in the New Zealand squadron for less than a year. The ship's complement on her arrival totalled 104. including Captain 0. Bcvir and the following six officers: Lieut. C. H. C. Singleton, Lieut. C. A. C. Montgomery (navigating officer), SurgeonLieutenant C. D. D. de Labilliere, SubLieutenant N. Scott-Elliot. Gunner B. IT. Brett and Warrant-Engineer C. Or. Kerswill. No announcement has yet been made concerning the new appointments. Extensions to Dock. There is considerable activity at the Devonport Naval Base at present following the return of the ships from the Southern cruise. This morning the Commodore. the Hon. E. R. Dnimmond. met his commanding officers on H.M.S. Dimedin to discuss the cruise and to plan for the customary Island cruise in June.

Work is proceeding on the lengthening of the Calliope Dock, and considerable progress has been made. Soon, too. a start will be made with the reconstruction of the wharf where at presc-nt H.M.S. Pliilomel is tied up. The new ships shortly to join the station are of an advanced class, and their electrical equipment make extended workshop equipment and accommodation necessarv.

At present the naval oil-carrier Nucula is in dock for cleaning and overhaul.