H.M.S. ACHILLES

Evening Post, Volume CXXIX, Issue 21, 25 January 1940, Page 9

H.M.S. ACHILLES

GRAF SPEE BATTLE r

• HARBOUR BOARD MESSAGE

The exchange of messages between the Wellington Harbour Board and the Navy Office referring to the part taken in the action against, the German pocket-battleship Graf Spec outside the harbour of Montevideo was reported at a meeting of the Wellington Harbour Board last evening. The following letter was sent to th« Navy Office by: the general manager, Mr. A. G. Barnetfc—• * '• y * "The chairman and members of the Wellington Harbour Boards desire, la view of recent events, to convey their hearty congratulations to the -captain, officers, and crew of H.M.S.. Achilles. "When H.M.S. Achilles was in the New, Zealand service the board had close and cordial association with this warship, and therefore .would appreciate your good offices if this expression of good will and congratulation! t could be communicated to hei " The; reply from the ■, Navy Offic« reads:—v ■ ■•■'■•■ \ ■■ '• '■■'-■■<-:■ ■ "I desire to acknowledge with thankt the receipt of your kind letter of December , 15* 1939, asking me to convey * the congratulations of the .' eh airmaa and members of the Wellington Har- > bour Board -"to the commanding officer, < officers, and men of H.M.S. Achilles "I much regret that it is not pos» sible to transmit your message by telegram, but your letter will be forwarded in- due course and the ship will be informed by telegram that a number of similar congratulatory let- \ ters have been received in this office." The letter was signed by the Naval Secretary.