THE NAVAL ADVISER.

Press, Volume L, Issue 14984, 3 June 1914, Page 5

THE NAVAL ADVISER.

CAPTAIN P: H. HALL THOMPSON

(-""ROM OUB OWN CORR"EBPO"*"_Ejrr.) LONDON. April 23. Tho new naval adviser to the New Zealand Government. Captain P. H. Hall Thompson, R.N., is just forty years of ago, having been born on May 3rd, 1874, _t Eling, in Hampshire. He was educated near Milford, in tho same county, and entered tho Britannia at the age of 13 years as a naval cadet.

Passing out in 1889, Captain Thompson served in tho Australia in the Mediterranean, until 1892, and in the latter year took part in.the Columbus celebrations. Ho was a midshipman also in tho Rodney, and the old corvette Volage. ono of the last vessels < ia the Royal Navy to he practically useful either under sail or steam. In 1893 ho was promoted sub-lieutenant,, and went to the college for examination as Lieutenant. In that test he gained five first-class certificates, and was consequently specially promoted, in September, 1894. Then for three years he 'orved on the Acorn in South America. On returning home he went to tho gunnery ship Excellent for two years, during" which time he qualified in gunnery. He was then appointed Gunnery Lieutenant of the Colossus. For three years, from 1900-1903, Captain Thompson was inspector of warlike stores at Sydney, and then, as Gunnery Lieutenant (second and then first.) of the Majestic, ho took part in the first Gntento Cordiale demonstration in Paris; In December, -1905, Captain Thompson was promoted Commander, and ho spent the next three years, 1906----1909, in tho Mobilisation Department at the Admiralty. Going to sea again in tho latter yoar he commanded the Medea in the Mediterranean until 1911; then spent another year at the Admiralty before being appointed to tho command of tho President, which lies in the Thames. This last-named appointment carries with it naval membership of tho Admiralty Volunteer Committee and an appointment on the ••taff of the Admiral Commanding the Reserves. In Juno last ho was promoted Post-Captain. Captain Thompson was married in 1899, and has four Ho will ioin the Osterley at Toulon on May 15th; his wifo and children following by the lonic in September. Captain Thompson was at one time to hare gone out by tho Sinus, which is takinjz relief crew-s to-the ships on tho New Zealand station; but this vessel's sailing is now a- matter of doubt. *