DUTCH SQUADRON

Dominion, Volume 24, Issue 20, 18 October 1930, Page 10

DUTCH SQUADRON

A Courtesy Visit ARRIVAL IN PORT Many Official Calls After a stormy voyage from Sydney, a squadron of the East Indies Division of the Royal Netherlands Navy, consisting of the cruiser Java, and the destroyers Eversen and De Ruyter, reached Wellington yesterday morning on a courtesy visit to New Zealand. , The Java is flying the flag of Rear-Ad-miral C. C. Kayser, Commander-in-Chief of the Squadron, who called upon His Excellency the Governor-General, Lord Bledisloe, and the Acting-Prime Minister, Hon. E. A. Ransom, during the morning. Rear-Admiral Kayser was the recipient during the day of many official calls, and these, with the return calls which he paid in the morning and afternoon, occupied the greater part of the day The cruiser is berthed at Pipitea Wharf and the destroyers opposite to her at King's Wharf. Although the public were not admitted yesterday, the vessels will be thrown open for inspection from 2 p.m. to 4.30 p.m. today.

The warships are painted a rather darker shade of grey than ships of his Majesty’s Navy, and on the Java cer tain parts of the fittings and equipment are painted light red. The colour scheme, in fact, is made up of grey and red exclusively, and it lends a good deal of smartness to the vessel. On boats, guns, and deck fittings generally, the red gives bright relief to the sombre grey. Although large inverted-L seaplane hoists are at either side of the flagship, she is not carrying machines on the present voyage. The squadron makes annual voyages from its base in the East Indies for the purpose of gunnery practice and navigational manoeuvres. Last year’s voyage was to Japan, and the present one to Australia and New Zealand. The squadron left Java on September 2 for Perth, Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney, and Wellington. It will sail again on Tuesday for Auckland, and will travel from there to Brisbane, arriving back at Sourabaya on December 3. An aeroplane from the Rongotai aerodrome met the squadron outside the harbour yesterday morning. It spent its time diving and circling round the flagship and destroyers until they were moving into berth in the inner harbour. At times it dived down to within a few feet of the Java’s stern, and its conduct was of interest to the many Javanese on deck. Salutes Exchanged. Before reaching Point Jernißgham the ship’s company was brought to attention at their stations. On the after-deck the ship’s band and a party of marines were drawn., up. The National Anthem was played', and everyone on the ship stood to attention as the White Ensign was run up the after-mast, and the salute of 21 guns was fired. With the Java abreast of Point Jerningham, and the destroyers ill formation at the rear, the salute was returned from Fort Dorset under the flag of the Netherlands. Again the marines presented arms, and again everyone on the ship stood to attention. High up above the fort the aeroplane was diving and looping. With the salutes over the Java and her destroyers moved quickly to their berth. A tug lent assistance, and the mooring operations, were watched by many hundred people who lined the wharves.

Official Callers.

A guard of honour and the ship’s band were drawn up on the main deck when the Java’s gangway was placed in position. The first official callers were the Consul for the Netherlands, Mr. W. G. Johnston, and his secretary, Mr. A. .1. Fernic. ' They were met by Captain J. de Graaf, commander of the cruiser, and were taken to the quarter-deck, where they were introduced to the admiral. Commodore G. Blake, of the New Zealand Division of the Royal Navy, arrived at 10 a.m., and was met by the admiral. After an inspection of the ships, they returned to the Java, and left at 10.30 a.m. to call on the Governor-General, Lord Bledisloe. Returning from Government House they called at 11 a.m. on the Acting-Prime Minister. Mr. Ransom. Major-General Young; General Officer Commanding'New Zealand Forces, paid his visit to the flagship at 11.20 a.m., bv which time the admiral had returned from his calls. The chairman of the Wellington Harbour Board. Mr. J. W. McEwan, and the Mayor, Mr. G. A. Troup, were the next visitors, and nt 12.15 p.m. his Excellency the GovernorGeneral returned the admiral’s call. Half an hour later the Acting-Prime Minister returned his call also. Rear-Admiral Kayser. Captain de Graaf, and several officers from the squadron were the guests of the Government at a State luncheon, which began at 1 p.m. As on his other engagements during the day the admiral was accompanied by the Consul for the Netherlands. At 3 p.m. the admiral returned the call of Commodore Blake on 11.M.5. Dunedin, and nt 3.20 p.m. called on Major-General Younp; at Defence Headquarters. After visiting the Mayor and the chairman of the Harbour Board he returned to the Java, where time, was spent in receiving the calls of many clubs, societies, and consulates.

Rear-Admiral Kayser and six of his officers were present at a Consulate dinner given at the Wellington Club last evening. With 25 oflicers'he attended a dance at Government House last night. The ship’s company wtre issued with English money in the morning and were free after 4 p.m. Many left the ship and spent the evening in tho city. A motorbus tour was arranged for 25 of the men yesterday afternoon, and they returned to the Java at 4.30 p.r-. To-day’s Arrangements. To-day at 10 a.m. a party of Navy League school members are to visit the Java, and another 25 men from the ships will bo taken on a tour of Wellington. Rear-Admiral Kayser and his officers have been invited to attend the Masterton races, and will leave Wellington in the morning. The ships are to be open to the public this afternoon. A dinner is to be given at Government House this evening, and the admiral and his officers have been invited to attend the Savage Club’s korero afterward. The British Sailors’ Society has invited 100 of the men to attend a social evening at their club room.