NAVAL OFFICERS WELCOMED

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27500, 6 November 1954, Page 2

NAVAL OFFICERS WELCOMED

LEAGUE’S RECEPTION A very warm welcome to ChristJ™ extended to Captain J. F. WhirieM and officers of HMN.ZB. Black Prince and to Lieutenant-Com-”®nder J- P- Tulloch and officers of me Hawea yesterday, when they were the honoured guests of the Canterbury branch of the Navy League at a reception held at H.M.N.Z.S. Pegasus, street The guests, some of ceived by the president of the branch, waptmn George Dennistoun, and Mrs Dennistoun, and Mrs Henry Wyatt. • chairman of the women’s auxiliary of th.e league. Mrs Dennistoun wore a smart ensemble of navy wool georgette with hip-length sacque coat The frock had an accordion pleated skirt and the bodiee was lightly pin-spotted in white, and she wore a navy and white hat with a bow of white ribbon in front Mrs Wyatt wore a French blue coat and small hat to match, trimmed with forget-me-nots. Captain Whitfeld. in acknowledging the welcome extended to him and his officers by Captain Dennistoun, said he accepted it as a tribute not only to the officers of the Black Prince and the Hawea, but to all branches of the Navy. He said that one of the most inspiring incidents in his career had occurred last year when the Black Pnnce was at Malta. It was the time of the earthquakes in Greece and the lonian islands and the Navy was engaged in relief work. One night, after 10 o’clock, the Black Prince received a message from another ship saying: "We are in a jam; there are here g-eat quantities of relief stores for reeve and we can’t get them loaded. Can you help?” A call was put over the Black Prince asking for volunteers for the task, said Captain Whitfeld. It had been a hard day and many of the men were in bed. 'Tn one minute, every man of the ship’s company was on deck, ready to undertake the work. By 11.30 pan. all the stores were loaded and the Shin had sailed for Greece.” The committee who arranged the party included Miss Natalie Valp (chairman of the Middle Watch), Miss Marette Bates (vice-president of the junior branch). Mrs Cyril Collins (secretary of the league). Mrs A. R. Alexander, and Commander F. W. K. Humphreys. Representatives of kindred associations were among the guests.