AUSTRALIA'S NAVAL UNIT.

Evening Post, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 65, 16 March 1912, Page 2

AUSTRALIA'S NAVAL UNIT.

PROGRESS OF BUILDING. ■The Federal Acting-Minister- for Defence (Mr. Roberts) has received several reports relating to the building of v tha. 6hipe of the Australian naval unit in the United Kingdom (statee the Melbourne Argus.) Ine Becond-claes cruiser Melbourne is to be launched at Glasgow this month, and, together with her sister ship, the Sydney, which is expected to be launched early next month, ie to be handed over to the Commonwealtn in August. The battleship Australia, will leave the contractors' hands in the following month, and, after the three ships have undergone their trials, they will steam to Australia, being expected hei« early in the new year. All the material required for the construction of the cruiser Brisbane, which is to be built at the Fitzroy Docks, has been shipped. The first consignment of plates and other parts is due next month. The matter of manning the new vesvels has been engaging the attention of the naval authorities for some time paefc, ana now everything k reported to be in perfect order. The torpedo boat destroyer Warrego, which has been constructed in Sydney, will be commanded by Commander Hyde, and the new boat will become the flagship of the destroyer flotilla. The engineering staff has been appointed, and a warrant officer is now on hie way put from England for the vessel. A lieutenant or sub-lieutenant' will be lent by the Admiralty for the Waa-rogo. The little vessel ie now being tested in Sydney, the experts at present being engaged in inspecting the oil tanks. - . .- A large number of officer* and men are coming to Australia by tho mail steamer Orama. In addition to five officers, there are 44 men ,and 23 of their wives and 41 children., Throe of the officers and all the men will take up duty on the destroyers, while two officers will go to the naval depot. In May last the Commonwealth Government asked the Admiralty to send them 54 men, and since then a further lot have been asked for. These consist solely of petty officers of various ratings, and they are to be dtetributecT as follows s— 44 for the training ship, 29 for the gunnery, and 2<4 for the school tender. In addition 70 men will be required for the naval college.