LIVERPOOL DOCKS INSPECTED

Hawera Star, Volume LIV, 15 June 1935, Page 5

LIVERPOOL DOCKS INSPECTED

VISIT OF MR J. A. LYONS. TRADE WITH AUSTRALIA. £»/» -• te.' • \ 'Mi&jsd «=? (United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph Copyright). LONDON, June 12. Hie Australian Prime Minister, Mr J. A. Lyans t felt that ho was nearer home this afternoon than at any time since his departure from Australia. Standing on the deck of the tiny steamer Vigilant as she steamed down the Mersey, he had a picture in his mind of a much smaller Mersey on the banks of which his home tojvn, Devcnport, is situated. . Mr Lyons, as guest of the Liverpool Docks and Harbour Board, spent the afternoon exploring the river, the magnificent docks, and the 40 miles of quays on which £'140,000.000 has been spent in 80 years. The Vigilant passed through the 1000-ton dock gates into the lock, where the vessel was lifted 14 feet to enter the Gladstone Dock, the second largest in the world, With the Australian flag at the maintruck, she passed the Trojan Star, a Vestey meat steamer trading to Australia, which dipped her ensign in salute. Mr Lyons watched the ships of many nations go by, and exclaimed with delight as the Vigilant passed under the slim white bows of the Rcina Del Pacifico.

Before leaving the Vigilant Mr Lyons signed the visitors’ book containing the names of Their Majesties, the Prince of Wales, the Duke and Duchess of York, the Duke of TvenJ;, King Feisal, and King Amanullah. “I had a theoretical knowledge of the clocks, but never appreciated their magnitude until to-day.” Mr Lyons said later. “I was glad to see ships trading to Australia, and hope that many carrying our chilled moat outer these docks.”