DIOMEDE FOR SYDNEY

Evening Star, Issue 21036, 25 February 1932, Page 14

DIOMEDE FOR SYDNEY

OPENING OF HAMR BRIDGE

ADMIRAL BLAKE RELINQUISHES COMMAND IN APRIL

[Per United Press Association.]

AUCKLAND, February 24. To represent the New Zealand Government at the official opening of the Sydney Harbour bridge, H.M.S. Diomede will leave Auckland for Sydney via northern ports to-morrow. Before the cruiser returns to Auckland Bearadmiral Geoffrey Blake, who will leave with the Diomede, will have relinquished the command of the New Zealand Division of the Royal Navy, the change taking place at Wellington m April. The visit to Sydney will occupy eight days, and on March 22 the Diomede will leave on her return trip to New Zealand. In the dominion she will carry out the following itinerary:—

Arrive Nelson March 25, sail March 31; arrive Pictou April i, sail April 0; arrive Wellington April 0. Over three iveeks will be spent at Wellington, during which time the warship’s crew will undergo their annual musketry course at'Treutham. After exercises' the warship will leave Wellington on May 2 and return to Auckland on May 4. During the Diomede’s stay at Wellington Rear-admiral Blake will relinquish his position after completing over two and a-half years as commodore in command of the New Zealand Division. The command will be taken over by Captain Fischer Burgess Watson, D. 5.0., who will arrive at Wellington from London hy the Rangitata on April 14. Rear-admiral Blake will Heave New Zealand for England via Vancouver, and will sail hy the Aorangi, which will leave Auckland early in May,