H.M.A.S. AUSTRALIA

Evening Star, Issue 21518, 16 September 1933, Page 13

H.M.A.S. AUSTRALIA

VISIT ENDS OH MONDAY The visit of H.M.A.S. Australia to this port is drawing to an end, and on Monday afternoon the ship will sail for Akaroa, The warship was thrown open for public inspection this afternoon, and will also bo open to-mor-row afternoon between 1.30 and .4.30. In order to provide transport facilities for those wishing to travel to Port Chalmers the Railways Department will run special trains throughout the afternoon. There will bo. at least four specials leaving at suitable intervals, and it is fully expected that these will bo fully availed of. Teams from the ship took part in various outdoor sports this, afternoon, Rugby being played at Carisbrook and Association football and hockey at. the Caledonian Ground, while an exhibition of Australian rules football was given on the Oval. SCHOOLS’ CLUB LUNCHEON, Amongst the interesting functions in connection with the visit of the cruiser Australia was a lunch tendered yesterday by the British Public Schools’ Club (Otago) to Commander Austin and a number of his fellow-officers at Wain’s Hotel.

The president of the club (Mr E. Wood) extended a hearty welcome to the visitors, his remarks being, supported by another club member in Sir James Allen, who in the course of his address emphasised the great need that existed in the matter of naval defence, •4 raid that it was essential that Australia and New Zealand should work in the closest union with the Motherland. Commander Austin, in replying, expressed the pleasure he and his colleagues had in being present at yet another instance of the hospitality they had so much enjoyed since coming to tlve dominion. The toast of “ Our Visitors” was proposed by Mr J. Sutherland Ross, and a pleasant gathering was concluded with a social hour. THE SEAPLANE.

The captain’s guests on board the ship yesterday afternoon were much interested in the evolutions of the seaulane. Tho taking off and the alighting were only excelled by the breathless moment when tho plane flew past the ship at the level of tho rail. This morning tho ship’s hand carried out marching practice on short at Port Chalmers, and tho playing attracted hundreds of people. Last night a very fine searchlight display was carried out under exceptionally good weather conditions.