THE NAVAL ADVISOR.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXV, Issue 16567, 3 June 1914, Page 12

THE NAVAL ADVISOR.

CAPTAIN HALL THOMPSON'S CAREER. [From Otr Correspondent.] • LONDON, April 24. Captain Hall Thompson, who has accepted tho post of Naval Advisor to the Now Zealand Government, is leaving England to take up the duties of his new post by tho Orient liner Oster!ey, which is due to leave London on May 8. Captain Hall Thompson is now in his fortieth year, having entered this world in IS7J; Thirteen years later — in the year of jubilee—lie entered the Britannia as a naval cadet, and became a "middy" on the Australia in 1889. Ho served on that vessel in the Mediterranean until 1892, and took part in the Columbus celebration, which was certainly tho most, memorable naval event during that period. The nc?.t year of life Captain Thompson spent as a midshipman, iirst in the Rodney and then in tho Volage, arid received promotion to sub-lieutenant in September, 1893. Tho next twelve months lie (-pent "swotting" at college for his examination as lieutenant. It was a year well spent, for he socured no fewer than five first-class certificates, and' consequently received special promotion to lieutenancy. This was in September, 1894, and for the next three years he served in H.M.S. Acorn on tho' south-east coast of America. Then for tho next two Vears he was attached to H.M.S. Excellent, in order to qualify as a specialist in gunnery, and then served a matter of twelve months as gunnery lieutenant of H.M.S. Colossus. Tho next three years were passed in Australia, where Captain Thompson held the position of Inspector of Warlike Stores at Sydney: Coming Home, he wa« 'pwointrj "irinery lieutenant of H.M.S. Majestic, ;ind in December. 1905,- received promotion to commandership. I But it was some timo before he saw \ service afloat in his naw role, Hnce for nearly three years he was serving in the Mobilisation Department at tho Admiralty in "Whitehall. Then came another spell in the Mediterranean, where for a timo Captain Thompson was in command of H.M.S. Medea. Knsued another spoil ashore, and a daily round at the Admiralty. Then Captain Thompson became commander of the R.N.R. training ship President; was appointed to, the staff of the .Admiral Commanding Reserves, and became a naval member of tho Admiralty Volunteer Committee, positions which he vacated in accepting the New Zealand appointment. Captain Thompson ' received promotion to post captain's rank in J;m'<, 1913. Captain Thompson was married in 1899, and has four children.