NAVAL MANOEUVRES

Dominion, Volume 26, Issue 219, 12 June 1933, Page 3

NAVAL MANOEUVRES

New Zealand Division and Australian Vessels ISLAND CRUISE EARLIER The date of the proposed combined manoeuvres by the Royal Australian Navy and the New Zealand Division of the Royal Navy has yet to be fixed, according to a statement at Christchurch by the Hon. J. G. Cobbe, Minister of Defence. Mr. Cobbe stated that he thought arrangements would be made for either H.M.S. Diomede or H.M.S. Dunedin, or perhaps both, to co-operate with the Australian vessels.

It is expected at present that the combined manoeuvres will take place about September. By August 15, when H.M.S. Dunedin is expected back from an Island cruise, H.M.S. Diomede, which is now undergoing a biennial refit at the Devonport naval base, will probably have been recommissioned. The Dunedin and the sloops Veronica and Laburnum are all to leave for Island cruises next week. The Dunedin is expected to sail next Thursday for Norfolk Island, and is then to call at the following places Noumea, Vila, Hog Harbour, Ocean Islaud, Funafuti, Rotuma, Suva, Yasawa, Apia, Pago Pago, and Nukualofa. The Veronica is due to leave next Friday, and her calls in order are: Vavau, Pago Pago, Rarotonga, Tahiti, Ra’late'a, Bora Bora, Penrhyn, Suwarrow, Pago Pago, Apla, Tokelau group, Apia, Suva, Lautoka, Yasawa, Labasa, Somo Somo, Levuka, Suva, Ngaloa, Totoya, and Ongea. The Veronica is expected back at Auckland on October 14. The sloop is to visit outlying islands of the Cook group, at the request of Mr. H. F. Ayson, Resident Commissioner at Rarotonga, and will also carry Mr. 11. E. Hart, Administrator of Western Samoa, ou his annual visit to the Tokelaus. Leaving Auckland next Thursday, the Laburnum is to meet the Dunedin at Noumea, New Caledonia, and will call subsequently at Vila, Port Sandwich, Palikulo Bay, Ocean Island, Butaritari, Tarawa, Peru (Beru), Niutao, Funafuti, Rotuma, Lautoka, Suva, Savu Savu, Somo Somo, Ngau and Suva. The Laburnum Is to return to Auckland on September 16. At Lautoka the Veronica and Laburnum arc to carry out bombardment practice.