RETURN OF ACHILLES

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 72, 22 February 1940, Page 9

RETURN OF ACHILLES

EARLY FRIDAY MORNING. RECEPTION PLANS. Per Press Association. AUCKLAND, Feb. 21. H.M.S. Achilles is expected to berth at the Central Wharf at 7 o’clock on Friday morning, it was officially announced by the Prime Minister (RtHon. M. J.'Savage) to-night. As the Achilles enters Rangitoto Channel 6he will be greeted by the soldiers on duty at the forts and at Narrow Neck and will be escorted up the harbour by most of Auckland’s Meet of pleasure boats. She will move slowly past the naval base to receive the greetings of the naval officers and ratings there, and will then proceed to her berth. Though no official announcement has been made, it is expected that the ferry boats and most of the shipping in port will sound their sirens, and that the city factory whistles will also join in a vociferous welcome, thus following the precedent of the Great War when returning troopships were similarly greeted. A very full programme awaits Captain W. E. Parry, C. 8., and the crew of the Achilles on this their first homecoming since the outbreak of war. The first official greeting and felicitations on the prowess displayed by the ship in the fight against the Admiral Graf Spec will be tendered by the GovernorGeneral (Lord Galway), who will make a call on Captain Parry shortly after the cruiser berths. Ministers of the Crown and it is expected some of the civic dignitaries will also make calls beloye the victory march to the civic reception at the Town Hall. Ministers who are coming to Auckland for the celebrations are the Deputy-Prime Minister (Hon. P. Fraser), the Minister of Defence (1-lon. F. Jones), the Attorney-General (Hon. H. G. R. Mason), the Minister of Supply (Hon. D. G. Sullivan), and the Leader of the Legislative Council (Hon. D. Wilson). Other distinguished visitors will be Sir Harry Ratterbeo (High Commit sioner for the United Kingdom in New Zealand), anti the French Consul (M. Andre Poupuet). who will be accompanied bv Madame Pouqnct. M. Pouquet will be one of the speakers at I the civic reception.