NAVAL VISITS

Dominion, Volume 19, Issue 87, 7 January 1926, Page 6

NAVAL VISITS

A FULL PROGRAMME FRENCH SLOOP DUE SOON JAPANESE AND AUSTRALIAN VESSELS FOLLOW From a naval point of view, New Zealand will have a fairly busy time of it for the next month or so. The latest official advices arc to the effect that a French sloop will make its appearance in New Zealand waters on January 21; a Japanese training ship is due to arrive on February 18, and a few days later the visit ot three units of the Australian Fleet will commence. According to a message which came to hand yesterday the French sloop Cassiopee,” under’ the command of Capitaiue de Frigate Deceux, will arrive at Dunedin from Tahiti on January 21, and remain at the southern, port until February 3, after which she will proceed to Lyttelton, staying there until February 7. The sloop will then visit Wellington, and on February 12 will leave for Auckland, and remain at the northern port from February 15 to March 1. On the occasion of the visit of H.M.S. Chatham and other New Zealand vessels to Tahiti, the French Government extended every courtesy to the commander, officers, and men, and it is hoped that local authorities and other patries interested will cooperate with the Government in making the stay of the visitors one to be remembered. The usual facilities will be made available to the members of the sloop. The Iwate’s Visit. The Japanese training ship Iwate, with 400 of all rankings on board, is expected to reach Wellington on February 18. She will leave for Auckland on February 23, and clear that port on March 3. The vessel is under the command of Captain Yuriichi. Edahara, who graduated with distinction from the Naval College, Tokiq, and after the ship’s arrival be will pay the usual courtesy calls on the Prime Minister, Ministers of the Crown, Mayor of Wellington, chairman of the Harbour Board, the Commodore, and the General Officer Commanding the New Zealand Forces. Captain Edahara is particularly anxious that the 00 cadets on the Iwate should have an opportunity of viewing the Government, educational, commercial, and industrial institutions for educational purposes, and arrangements are being made to. meet his wishes in this direction. in addition railway facilities will be placed at the disposal of the visitors, and the Government will extend an invitation to the captain and lus staff officers to be its guests at Rotorua on a three days’ trip. Arrangements are also to be made for. a one-day trip to the thermal district for 100 officers and men. That party, will leave Auckland bv train early, in the morning, arrive at Rotorua in time for lunch, and leave on the ictuin journey to Auckland at 10.30 p m. Ouite an historical interest attaches to the Iwate by reason of her performances during the Russo-Japanese War. The vessel was launched on March 29, 1900, from the dockyard at Newcastle, England, and handed over to the Japanese Government on March 18 of the following year. Her displacement is 9770 tons. During the war with Russia she engaged three of the enemy fleet, including the Ruric. The action was very severe, as the Twate received the enemv’s fire to the extent of seventeen shells. She succeeded, however, in sinking the Ruric. and the two other attackers withdrew. From Across the Tasman. Three units of the Australian Fleet, the Adelaide (Commodore Wardle’s flagship), the Sydney, and the Delhi will also be in New Zealand waters next month. The Sydney is expected to reach Dunedin on February 24 and will remain there until February 28, while the Adelaide and the Delhi will visit Lvttelton from February 25 to March 1. All the vessels will be in Wellington from March 2 to March 6. and in Auckland from March 8 to March 24. Between March 8 and March 15. it is understood, target practice between the ''Australian and New Zealand ships will be carried, out on the coast somewhere in the vicinity of Auckland.