BLACK PRINCE AT LYTTELTON

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27500, 6 November 1954, Page 10

BLACK PRINCE AT LYTTELTON

OFFICIAL CALLS EXCHANGED SHIP OPENTO PUBLIC THIS AFTERNOON The Royal New Zealand Navy cruiser, Black Prince, arrived at Lyttelton yesterday morning. The Black Prince, newly painted, and flying her code flags (ZMSG), took more than half an hour to berth after being piped through the moles. She manoeuvred in the inner harbour, assisted- by a tug and pilot launch, to come in stern first under the supervision of the harbourmaster (Captain A. R. Champion). The resident naval officer at Lyttelton (Lieutenant-Commander G. M. Holden) was first aboard to greet the captain (Captain J. E. Whitfield, D.S.C., R.N.). He was followed by the captain of the frigate Hawea (Lieuten-ant-Commander J. P. Tullock), which was tied up alongside the wharf opposite. Captain Whitfield later left the ship to make official calls on the Mayor of Christchurch (Mr R. M. Maefarlane, M.P.) and the Town Clerk (Mr H. S, Feast), the Commander of the Southern Military District (Brigadier H. E. Gilbert, D. 5.0.), and the Mayor of Lyttelton (Mr F. G. Briggs) and the Town Clerk (Mr J. Thompson).

Return calls were made on the captain during the afternoon by Mr Macfarlane and Mr Briggs. Other visitors included the commander of the Royal New Zealand Air Force Station at Wigratn (Group Captain F. R. Dlx), the commander of the Canterbury

Division of the Royal New Zealand Naval Volunteer Reserve (Commander J. N. Allan), and the president of the Canterbury branch of the Navy League (Captain G. Dennistoun, D. 5.0., UN, ret.). Three-quarters of the ship's company, some of whom attended a dance at H.M.N.Z.S. Pegasus last evening, were given shore leave. Among the officers visiting their homes for the week-end were four Christchurch men. They were Lieutenant J. Gresson. Lieutenant-Commander (E.) B. C.

Pester, Lieutenant (S.) P. G. Calder, and Senior Commissioned Electrical Officer R E. Ansley. Yesterday afternoon members of the ship's company played a cricket match at St. Andrew’s College, and in the evening the officers were entertained at a Navy League cocktail party at H.M.N.Z.S. Pegasus. Today cricket, tennis, and softball will be played against Air Force teams at Wigram. There will be an athletic meeting, .303 rifle shooting at Burnham Military Camp, and a whaler sailing race at Lyttelton, with crev 'rom Black Prince, Hawea, H.M.N.Z..' ’egasus, and Canterbury sea cadets ’ ing part. The officers have been invited to luncheon as guests of the members of the Canterbury Jockey Club for the New Zealand Cup meeting at Riccarton. z • The Black Prince will be open for inspection by members of the puolic today 4and tomorrow from 1.30 p.m. to 5 p.m. The frigate Hawea will be open for this afternoon only. The Hawea will put to sea for training tomorrow morning.