AUCKLAND AS A NAVAL BASE.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXXI, Issue LXII, 18 June 1912, Page 8

AUCKLAND AS A NAVAL BASE.

INTERESTING PARTICULARS

BY TELEGRAPH -TRUSS ASSOCIATION

AUCKLAND, June 17. Captain Rolleston, R.N., captain in charge of the naval establishment in Sydney, arrived in Auckland this afternoon from Rotorua after a visit to the chief centres in the south in connection with Admiralty business. Captain Rolleston stated to a Herald reporter that the separation of the squadron, as far as New Zealand and Australia were concerned, would take place on April 18. On that date, the Commonwealth Government will take over the naval establishment in Sydney from the Admiralty. Auckland will be the naval base for the New Zealand portion of the China squadron, which will consist of two second-class cruisers, three destroyers, and two submarines. The squadron will be tinder the supreme command of the Comman-der-in-Chief of the China squadron. "I am here," said Captain Rolleston, "to arrange for storing in connection with the New Zealand squadron. Auckland will be the headquarters. There will probably be a storehouse established on the Admiralty reserve near the Calliope dock for naval and victualling stores, and ammunition will probably be stored in the Defence Deoartmont's property near North Henri. A considerable stock of coal —probably about 3000 tons —will be stored nt Auckland, also a.' small Quantity of oil fuel and petroleum. Sub-bases for fuel only will probnWv be RRt.flWishp'i f> + Wellington, Lyttelton, and Dunedin."