The Empire Cruise

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XIII, Issue 301, 6 December 1923, Page 4

The Empire Cruise

Tentative Programme SHORT CALLS AT EAST COAST PORTS. ANCHOR OFF NAPIER ON 7th MAY. [Per Press Association.] Wellington, Dec. 5. The following is the probable programme for the visit of the Imperial squadron to New Zealand:— BATTLE CRUISERS. Arrive Leave April May Wellington 24 6 Auckland 10 17 LIGHT CRUISERS. May May Lyttelton (3 ships) .. 1 4 Wellington (5 ships) 5 6 Auckland 10 17 All ships will leave Wellington on the 6th May so as to anchor off Napier and Gisborne for a short time if the weather permits, but in any case the ships will steam close to both places. H.M.S. Dunedin vists Port Chalmers from Ist to 4th May, and another light cruiser the Bluff Ist to 3rd May. The Minister of Defence, Sir Hcatuu Rhodes, expressed regret that the Admiralty would not sanction the visit of the battlecruisers to Lyttelton or Dunedin. As a Southern member of Parliament he was sorry, but the Government had approached, the Admiralty on the subject, and they said they could not agree to these two big ships going to Lyttelton or Dunedin. FLAG OFFICERS AND CAPTAINS. Following is the list of flag-officers and captains of the Royal Naval Squadron which will visit New Zealand in April and May. 1924:— H.M.S. Hood: Vice-Admiral Sir Frederick L. Field. K.C.8., C.M.G., Flag-Captain J. K. im Thum. C.B.E. H.M.S. Repulse: Captain Henrv W. Parker, 0.8. H.M.S. Delhi: Rear-Admiral Sir Hilbert G. Brand. K.C.M.G.. R.R. V.O. K. 8., commanding light-cruiser squadron; Flag-Captain J M. Pipon, M.V.0.. 0.8. E. H.M.S. Danae: Captain F. M. Austin. H.M.S. Dragon: Captain B. W. M. Fairburn, 0.8. E. H.M.S. Dauntless: Captain C. W. Round-Turner. H.M.S. Dunedin: Captain Alexander R. M. Ramsay, D.S.O. Captain Round-Turner served in the Navy Office for two years