NELSON HONOUR FOR NAVY

Press, Volume CXIII, Issue 33155, 20 February 1973, Page 2

NELSON HONOUR FOR NAVY

NELSON. February 19. The Royal New Zealand Navy, represented bv the Chief of Naval Staff (RearAdmiral E. C. Thome) and officers and men of H.M.N.Z.S. Canterbury, was today granted the freedom of the city of Nelson by the Mayor (Mr R. A. McLennan). The colourful ceremony, held during the midday heat, drew thousands of spectators to the area around the Church Steps and council buildings. More than 170 sailors, mostly from the Canterbury, marched to the parade area. The Wasp helicopter from the Canterbury flew down the middle of Trafalgar Street, showing the White Ensign. Two Army units have received the freedom of the city of Nelson. Outside Auckland, Nelson is the only city to have honoured the Navy in this manner. In his address before presenting the charter Mr McLennan said the Navy had answered the city’s call for assistance at the opening celebrations of the Trafalgar Centre at the week-end. For this reason, and for reasons based in the past, the city was pleased to be able to grant the Navy special recognition, he said. Rear-Admiral Thorne said the honour bestowed on the Navy was the highest honour any municipality could confer. The Navy was proud to receive it, and fully conscious of what it implied, he said. Later, at an informal gathering at the Trafalgar Centre, Rear-Admiral Thorne and Mr McLennan exchanged mementoes of the occasion. Mr McLen-

nan presented the Admiral with a bronze bust of Lord Nelson, and received in return a mounted gavel in native wood, “to keep your councillors in order.”