ROYAL NAVAL RESERVE

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLV, Issue 287, 7 November 1925, Page 11

ROYAL NAVAL RESERVE

AUCKLAND BRANCH. MEMBERS TO UNDERGO SEA TRAINING. Per Press Association. AUCKLAND, Nov. 4. A new departure in connection with the recently formed branch of tho Royal Navai Reservo at Auckland, the first body of its kind to be inaugurated in the Dominion, will be made next month, when two parties, each consisting of an officer and 20 trainees, will undergo instruction on bpard H.M.S. Dunedin during exercises carried out in the Haiiraki Gulf from December 8 to 21. Commodore A. F. Real has consented to make all arrangements for the men on hoard. One party will undergo instruction from December 8 to R 3, and the other until tho Dunedin returns to port. The vessel’s headquarters will probably he at the. Great .Barrier of Kuwait, and members of the reserve will go off by launch. The men will mess with the seamen and work with them in all their duties. Commander J. R. Middleton, in remarking upon, the value of the projected scheme, which he hoped it would lie possible to carry out from year to year, said that it would be a particularly good chance’ for the residents to see a little of real naval life. Tho men of the reserve were all wonderfully enthusiastic in their work,and this was indicated by the fact that 75 applications were made for the 40 vacancies. The keenness displayed since the corps’ inception here had been remarkable. They were now up to tlie full strength of 120, and had ;i waiting list of about 40. “The new trawler approved of in the Estimates has been ordered, and should leave England about January,” lie continued. “This will he a very- valuable asset to us in our work. The vessel, which is fitted with a gun and the latest type of mine-sweeper, will he lierthed at Devonport, and will be manned by a skeleton crew. AYo hope to bo able to use it for cruising purposes, which means that we will have to do our own firing and everything connected with the vessel’s navigation.” Commander Middleton said that the existence of a large reserve in every centre was of vital importance. At least 500 volunteers should be trained at each ]Mirt. If trouble ever came, gun crews for merchant shipping would be essential hut these could not be supplied unless there was an adequate and well trained force to draw upon.