ADMIRAL BLAKE’S MESSAGE

Evening Star, Issue 21092, 3 May 1932, Page 13

ADMIRAL BLAKE’S MESSAGE

FAREWELL TD HEW ZEALAND LOCAL PERSONNEL PRAISED [Per United Peess Association.] AUCKLAND, May 2. Rear-admiral Geoffrey Blake sails on his return to England by tho Aorangi to-morrow. In giving ap the command of the New Zealand station ho said:— “ I find it very hard to convoy to all my good friends throughout tho dominion my thanks and appreciation for the warm-hearted kindness and hospitality which have been extended to mo in my official capacity. Civic authorities and harbour boards have welcomed my flagship in all tho ports which I liavo visited, and tho people from the surrounding districts have shown their appreciation of the Navy and their pride in tho Now Zealand Division by tho numbers who have visited tho ships. Having regarded it from every angle, I am firmly convinced that tho contribution which the people of New Zealand give to Imperial naval defence is not only sound and economical, but is also best suited to the needs of the dominion. This organisation, based on advice given by Lord Jellicoc, aims at developing tho sea sense in the youth of tho country. At tho present time CO per cent, of tho personnel who man the Now Zealand Division aro young Now Zealanders, and they liavo shown that they are fully capable of rising to the standard which is expected in tho Royal Navy. It has been a groat .ride and pleasure to me to comm -id them, and they have given me on all occasions, by their loyal service, a feeling of confidence and reliance.” H.M.S. DUNEDIN RETURNING. Tho cruiser Dunedin, which returned to England oa-’ ■ last year for extended refit and overhaul, will leave Chatham on Juno 2 and will visit Gibraltar, Madeira, Jamaica, Balboa, the Galapagos, Nukuhina, and Bora Bora on her way to Auckland. She is duo at Auckland on August 2. Tho Dunedin will be commanded by Captain M. J. C. De Meric, who, after bringing the Diomede out from England at tho conclusion of her refit in 1930, returned to England in command of tho Dunedin last year. . , The two sloops, Veronica and Laburnum, will leave Wellington for Auckland on May 14, arriving hero on May 17 ami docking for their annual overhaul and repairs preparatory to thenisland cruises.