N.Z. NAVAL DIVISION

Grey River Argus, 28 May 1935, Page 5

N.Z. NAVAL DIVISION

VICE-REGAL VISIT Ceremony at Auckland (Per Press Association.) AUCKLAND,. May 29. One of the most colourful and impressive ceremonies held at the Naval Base here took place this morning when the Governor-General paid an official call on His Majesty’s ships Dunedin,. Diomede and Philomel, of the New Zealand Naval Squadron, and the Imperial sloops Leith and Wellington. All of the ships wore dressed in honour of the visit. His Excellency was accompanied by his Naval A.D.C.. .Lieutenant-Sir Standish O'Grady Roche R.N., (retired). and also by his Military Secretary Major Purvis. They left the Admiralty launch steps* at 9.20 in the Dunedin's motor boat, in charge of Sub-Lieutenant Clutterbuck. The boat Hew the Governor-General’s blue and gold distinguishing Hag. On arrival alongside the Dunedin, the Hagship of Commodore Hon. E. R. Drummond.. a bugler sounded the “Alert.” His Excellency was met at the top of the gangway by the Commodore, while a guard of Royal Marines., in review order, presented arms. The “General Salute” was .-'ounded and His Excellency inspected the guard, after which

rhe flagship's officers •were introduced. The ship's company then nmr<hcd past II s Excellency. The same ceremony was carried out on the Diomede\ which is berthed alongside 'the flagship. The companies’ of the Leith and the Wellington were fallen in on the extension jetty, where a naval guard received His Excellency. The officers were introduced, and the ship’s companies inspected. The same procedure was carried out with the officers and crew of the Philomel. His Excellency then made a thorough inspection of the dockyard. Returning to the Duneuin, the ViceRegal party sipent a few minutes in the Commodore’s cabin'. As His Excellency left the flagship,, the “Alert” was sounded on all of the ships, and, guards presented arms,, while the “General Saline’’ was sounded. As s’oon as His Excellency was clear of <he Dunedin the “Commence” was sounded, and a Vice-Regal salute of 19 guns boomed out from the Philomel’s battery, and the Governor-Gen-eral’s distinguishing flag was broken at the mast-head of the flagship. His Excellency stood ’to attention in the cock-pit of the launch until the last report had died away.