N.Z. FRIGATES TO EXERCISE IN MEDITERRANEAN

Greymouth Evening Star, 20 October 1948, Page 4

N.Z. FRIGATES TO EXERCISE IN MEDITERRANEAN

[N.Z.P.A. SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT] (Recd. 9 a.m.) LONDON, Oct. 18. A helicopter hovered above the flotilla of New Zealand frigates taking a film when the ships sailed from Portland for the Mediterranean to exercise before proceeding to Auckland, where they are due on January 5. Another film of the ships was taken from the Royal Navy’s motor torpedorboat, which led the frigates out of port. It was followed in line by Taupo, Pukaki, Kanieri, and Hawea. On the night before the ships sailed Mr J. J. Robertson, Joint Un-

der-Secretary of State for Scotland, presented each with a photograph of the Scottish loch after which it was previously named, and the High Commissioner for New Zealand (Mr W. J. Jordan) handed each a coloured photograph of the New Zealand lake, the name of which it has now taken. Mr Robertson, in bidding the officers and crews bon voyage, emphasised the strong Scottish tradition linking the Dominion with the Old Country and mentioned that his mother, aged 73, had sailed for the Dominion to live in Wellington with relatives.

Mr Jordan signalled the frigates as they were proceeding out of the harbour,, conveying the good wishes of the Prime Minister (Mr Fraser) and himself and adding that he was sure they would be “happy ships.”