TOUR OF ISLANDS

Greymouth Evening Star, 12 April 1933, Page 5

TOUR OF ISLANDS

DIOMEDE’S DEPARTURE. [per press association.] AUCKLAND, April 11. ! With a band playing, seaplanes soaring overhead, and naval guns booming out a salute from the dockyard H.M.S. “Diomede left Auckland this ’afternoon, taking the GovernorGeneral and Lady Bledisloe on an official visit to the Pacific Islands A large crowd cheered as the cruiser lott the wharf. Five minutes before sailing time, a postal van drew up to the warship s side, and mail for the Islands was hurriedly put on board. The cruiser made a striking picture as she swept out into the stream, her grey sides spick and span, under a new coat of paint, polished brasswork, flashing in the afternoon sun, and her flags fluttering in the breeze. As she passed the end of the wharf, a seven flag signal was hoisted to the masthead, which asked H.M.S. “Philomel” to mount guns in preparation for a. naval salute. Two seaplanes from Hobsonville air base appeared on the scene at that moment, and, flying low over the warship’s masts, soared upward in a salute. The cruiser had turned and was moving at a. good speed down the harbour when guns from the Philomel thundered their salute. As the last of the 19 guns reverberated from skoie to shore, the Diomede turned North Head and disappeared from view. The seaplanes, like white sea birdsi outlined against the sombre heights of Rangitoto. alone marking her hidden , progress down the channel. The Diomede’s first port of call will be Nukalofa, where she is due on Satuida . She will return to Auckland on May u.