Australian Naval Visit

Manawatu Times, Volume 60, Issue 30, 5 February 1935, Page 6

Australian Naval Visit

Fire Vessels Coining to New Zealand STAY OP ONE MONTH Per Press Association. AUCKLAND, LaSt Night. A cruise embracing the North and South Islands will be made by vessels of the Royal Australian Navy next month. It was previously announced that H.M.A.S. Canberra, the flagship of Rear-Admiral W. P. R. Ford, and H.M.S. Sussex, commanded by Captain F. S. Bonham-Carter, the cruiser in which the Duke of Gloucester travelled to Australia and which is now attached to the Australian Navy, would be making the voyage. The destroyer flotilla, comprising H.M.A.S. Stuart, commanded by Captain A. G. Lilley; H.M.A.S. Vendetta, commanded by Lieutenant-Commander A. S. Rosenthal; and H.M.A.S. Voyager, commanded by Lieutenant-Commander G. F. Stewart, will now also take part in the cruise. These five vessels comprise the complete Australian unit.

The squadron’s itinerary provides for its departure from Sydney on February 28. The Canberra will proceed to Norfolk Island and the Sussex to Lord Howe Island. The three destroyers are due at Russell on March 4 and will be joined on March 6 by the two cruisers. The vessels will remain at that port until March 13, when the whole squadron will leave for Auckland, arriving there the same day. The squadron will be in port until March 20, and will then sail for Haura.ki Gulf. Big-gun practice will be carried out during the day and the following day, after which the'Vessels will leave for Wellington, arriving there on March 23. The squadron will then split up. The Canberra will proceed to Lyttelton on March 29 and the Sussex to Dunedin two days later. On April 4 the cruisers will leave Lyttelton and Dunedin respectively for Hobart, while the destroyer flotilla will leave Wellington on March 2S direct for Sydney.