N.Z. CRUISER

Hokitika Guardian, 11 March 1938, Page 3

N.Z. CRUISER

ACHILLES VISIT TO MELBOURNE. RESCUE OF SEAPLANE CREW. I MELBOURNE, Feb. 21. I The necessity for close co-operation between Australia and New Zealand was emphasised by speakers at a civic reception accorded to Rear-Admiral the Hon E. R. Drummond, commodore commanding the New Zealand division of the Koval Navy, and officers of H.M.S. Achilles. Additional warmth was given to the proceedings because H.M.S. Achilles had rescued the crew of a small naval aeroplane which had been floating in the sea 33 miles east of Gabo Island, as the result of a mishap during the naval manoeuvres. The seaplane, which was of the S ea_ gull V type, had been catapulted from H.M.A.S. Sydney. An hour later a wireless message from the aeroplane, which had a crew of three, intimated that it would have to make a forced landing. The exercises were suspended while 10 warships of the Royal Australian Navy and the New Zealand Division of the Royal Navy,.assisted by air-.: craft, joined in the search for the aeroplane. Discovery by Searchlight . With searchlights playing across the water, .the Acnilles found the aeroplane at 8 p.m. Later the men and the aeroplane were taken on board the Sydney i . in welcoming the New Zealanders, the' Lord 1 Mayor - of Melbourne, Mr E. Campbell, expressed appreciation of the part played .by the - Achilles, and .the. Leander—which visited Melbourne earlier in the month—in . the manoeuvres, which were designed to show the best method of protecting trade routes in the event oi war. Endorsing the welcome on behalf of the Federated Ministry, the Minister of Trade and Customs, the Hon. T. W. vVhite who flew from New Zealand to Australia in the Centaurus last month, said that the two countries, as close neighbours, needed all the co-operation imaginable. 1 United States' Warship r ■l ■ . . »;! ! . • if.:- ... , Mr White extended his welcome to., include the commander, of the- United States : warship Louisville,. Captain, R.. , W'. Mathewhon,: and. his men, wno, haa.j endeared themselves so humili ty Axis- | tralia in (the recent heroic rescues ip Sydney Harbour. It seemed charsic--tefist'iC' t'iiat' the’ Achilles* had :alsoipar-, ticipated in the search for the seaplane, from H.M.A.S. Sydney. I llKbaivAuimral Drummond said that, the'defence'problems of Australia anci New Zealand—two isolated Dominions —were very similar, and those two countries would have to star.d or fall. ogetiier. What was particularly appreciated oy himself and the officers oi the Achilles was the' entertaiiynenfcbxiehied in Melbourne to-the' ship;i''bomr jany. People were apttfo;. fdrget the . owur ratings of a;visiting warship.,' hut le was glad that,’that |ufd noU'been the' •ase.iu Melbourne, ‘ 'f ,*V#,.* j - Rear-Aupiiral -Drunnffond said that, rhile the officers' of the .‘.Achilles .were - higlisk, 50\p>r cent cifevv were lew Jfealaiid^is,Land the aim' was to ave* tliel ship’s complement 100 per < rent New Zealapd'6'rs. The recent -tirade rotection. exercises off the soujthlastern.^,coast of Australia had given xcelient opportunity for the New Zeanid cruisers to work in co-operation :itli the Australian Navy. H———————