CRUISER IN BAY

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22511, 15 December 1947, Page 6

CRUISER IN BAY

VISITS exchanged LEAVE PARTIES ASHORE SUCCESS AT CRICKET * Dropping anchor in the Gisborne roadstead at 1.30 p.m. on Saturday the light cruiser, H.M.N.Z.S: Bellona commenced her five-day visit to Gisborne, the first she has paid to this port. On Saturday afternoon courtesy calls were made on the ship by the Mayor, Mr. N. H Bull, accompanied by the deputy-Mayor, Mr. F. Tolerton, the chairman of the Gisborne Harbour Board, Mr. A. J. Nicol, the town clerk, Mr. W. M. Jenkins, and the secretary of the Harbour Board, Mr. E. A. Khull. The Harbour Board launch, Takitimu, carried the party to the ship, where they were received by the commander, Captain M. B. Laing, C.8.E., R.N. Later in the afternoon, Captain Laing returned the official call at the office of the Gisborne Harbour Board, where he met members of the Harbour Board. Smoke Concert and Ball Shortly after she anchored members of the Bellona crew were given' shore leave, a number attending the afternoon smoke concert arranged by the Gisborne members of the Ex-Royal Navalman’s Association. Officers, petty-officers and ratings of the Bellona were the guests of the Kiwi Social Committee at a ball under the patronage of the Mayor, held in the Army Hall. Yesterday a cricket team representing the cruiser defeated an eleven drawn from the members of *the Cosmopoliton Club in a match played at Tatapouri. The onlookers, consisting of members of the ship’s company and Gisborne residents, made the largest assembly at Tatapouri for some time. A return macth between the Cosmopolitan Club and the navy is to be played on the Oval tomorrow afternoon. Opera House Concert Last night a well-attended concert in which items were given by the ship’s orchestra and members of the ship’s company was held in the Opera House. A number of local artists were also featured on the programme. Tonight the ship’s crew will again be the guests of the Kiwi Social Committee at a dance in the Army Hall. Tomorrow’ afternoon, in addition to the cricket engagement, the Bellona soccer reps, meet a local team on the Childers Road Reserve. Although no public transport was available to the ship during the hours in which it was open for inspection over the week-end, several pleasure craft carrying a number of passengers made the journey and vistors were conducted over the ship. While the ship is lying at anchor, training of her crew is being continued and it is for this reason th; few functions have been arranged for today and tomorrow. A number of private functions have been arranged for tonight and tomorrow night, however, and members of the crew were invited to several private homes during the weekend. The vessel will sail from Gisborne on Wednesday morning for Auckland.