FAREWELLED.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 283, 30 November 1938, Page 12

FAREWELLED.

H.M.S. ACHILLES.

SAILING FOR ENGLAND. MARCH UP QUEEN STREET. After marching up Queen Street from the waterfront to the Town Hall, during the course of which citizens of Auckland gathered to offer them final greetings, officers and men of H.M.S. Achilles were tendered a civic farewell by the Mayor, Sir Ernest Davis, and citizens at noon to-day. The cruiser, which is the flagship of the New Zealand division, leaves Auckland at 10 a.m. on Friday en route for England, where the ship will be refitted. She will return to New Zealand next year on a new commission. It s anticipated that the ships company then will be almost entirely of New Zealand ratings. The officers and most of the Imperial ratings will be transferred to other ships. Citixens Assemble. riayed up the street by the band, the parade, under the command of Lieut.-Commander L. L. Johnston. R.N.. attracted a good deal of attention during the lunch hour, and farewells were called to the men by many who gathered on the pavements. At the Town Hall there was a big assemblage of citizens, who rose from their seats as the officers and men filed in. The major farewell was offered by the Mayor, who referred to the fact that whereas on a previous occasion it had been his privilege to farewell a cruiser. H.M.S. Dunedin. on this occasion he was merely bidding "an revoir'' on behalf of the citizens to the Achilles, which would be, fetuming after its refit, and would play an important part in the Centennial celebrations ih 1040. Citizens welcomed this opportunity of thanking the officers and ratings for the commission they had executed in these waters, and of wishing them a safe return to their Homeland, with every happiness in the future. "I should like to record that the conduct of members of the ship's companv throughout their stay in Auckland has been most exemplary and in accordance with the beet traditions of the naval service," he said. "Characteristically, they have taken their place in our community life and have become to ue real citixens of Auckland.

"It i«, I thinTc, a matter for gratification that a large proportion of the ratings are Xew Zealand boys. This is as it should be. After all, are we not an island country, with our destiny linked to naval and maritime activities? "First Fighting Ship." '•Rating, as she does, as a cruiser of the modern class, the Achilles was virtually the first real fighting ship to be stationed here. A welcome addition to the New Zealand Squadron, she gave to the Dominion a further assurance of the preservation of our national interests and protection of our sea-borne trade. "Aucklanders are not unmindful of the value to the city of the Xaval Base, and the increased prestige it derives from its permanent association with the naval service. All will share regret that the departure of H.M.S. Achilles ihvolves the transfer to other and higher responsibilities of Commodore Glennie, whose distinguished service and oustanding qualities require no elaboration at my hands." Apologies for non-attendance through pressure of other engagements, together with messages of farewell to the company of the cruiser, were extended on behalf of the Prime Minister, the Right Hon. M. J. Savage, the Minister of internal Affairs, the Hon. W. E. Parry, Archbishop Averill and Bishop Liston. Tribute* to Efficiency. Representing the Government at the ceremony, the Hon. F. E. Lark, M.L.C.. paid a tribute to the Mayor for the civic recognition he was giving to the men of the lower deck. It was regarded by them m a particularly high favour when * city

— K of_J,he size of Auckland officially recognised the ratings in such a .manner. He expressed sorrow at the departure of the men, who were well regarded by all members of the community, and hoped t'hat when their tin\e was up in the Navy they would return to New Zealand to be welcomed here ae worthy citizens of a worthy country. Farewells were also extended by the chairman of the Auckland Harbour '• Hoard, Mr. W. B. Darlow, the Mayor of Devonport, Mr. H. F. W. Meikle, speaking on behalf of the local bodies of 11 Auckland, and Mr. C. H. T. Palmer, " chairman of the Auckland branch of d the Navy League. , "During the recent crisis," said Mr. Palmer, "the high «tandard of efficiency e of the Achilles was demonstrated. It "> was only a few hours and she was ii ready for service ih any pert of the world. If the Empire had another 50 s Achilles and ships' companies like that e of the Achilles, the Empire and our s ships on the seas would feel much I 1 safer." Commodore I. G. Glennie, R.N., commander of H.M.S. Achilles, was pref sented with a framed picture of the j port of Auckland by the Mayor. - "just One Tip." The commodore said that though the life of the naval man spent in arriving and leaving, farewells never : lifcame easier. He thanked the speakers for their kind remarks, and extended particular thanks to the Mayor for his many kindnesses to himself and the Navy. Reference had been made .he said, to the team spirit of Achilles. It was extraordinarily good, but he took no credit to himself for that. He had the privelege of being served by the finest body of officers and men that he could possibly wish,. The ecoramission of the cruiser had had a happy augury, for during the stay of" the ve'ssel at Gibraltar on her way" to New Zealand, the men had established a high record for work done, for discipline, and for sport. On their behalf he thanked the people of New Zealand, and those of Auckland particularly, for the great kindness and consideration that had been shown to himself and his officers and men. When referring to naval affairs generally, he said he was restricted in what he could say. However, all knew that they were living in a time of great changes, when there was considerable concern for the future. In regarding that situation and the necessity for security and defence there was only one tip lie would give them. They should examine the situation, and all its attendant circumstances and possibilities for themselves. They should do unswayed and unbiased by outside opinions. ". . "and I don't think you will find it hard to get the answer." At the close of the official programme, officers and men were entertained by Sir Ernest. He visited the ratings where they were assembled at refreshments in the hall adjoining thee Town Hall. After he had spoken to them the ratings cheered the Mayor heartily.