New Phase Of History

Northern Advocate, 13 February 1940, Page 5

New Phase Of History

New Zealand's military history entered a new phase with the departure cf the First Echelon. Two-thirds of the echelon sailed from Wellington. The naval escort included the 29,000-ton battleship Ramillies and H.M.A.S. Canberra, of the Australian Navy. The remaining third of the echelon, from Burnham Camp in the South Island, embarked ,at Lyttelton and was escorted by H.M.S. Leander. Both, sections of the convoy met at a rendezvous in Cook Strait. The embarkation at Wellington and the departure of the transports .and battleships provided memorable scenes. «? Onlookers Pack Foreshore. There was, of course, no announcement of the time of sailing, but it had been anticipated by many thousands of people, and when the great ships began to move from their anchorage and swing their bows towards the harbour entrance, the foreshore was .already thick with onlookers. Preceded by H.M.A.S. Canberra, the transports left the harbour one by one, and their departure was so timed that a distance of from two to three miles separated them from each other in the line. Then three blasts of a siren signified that the Ramillies was leaving her berth at the Pipitea Wharf to bring up the rear of the convoy. Her great guns and obvious power and strength implied a promise that the safety of the ships under her care would be well looked to.

Cheers, Hooting Horns. Meanwhile ,an ever-increasing crowd had gathered on the heights around Seatoun. As each liner passed through the entrance there was a great hooting of car horns and bursts of cheering, and answering cheers from the ships could be faintly heard. As the Ramillies cleared the heads, the line of ships receding into the distance made a magnificent spectacle from which onlooker were reluctant to turn. • The most moving farewell was witnessed by the officers and men of the Ramillies. They were entertaining a party cf Maoris, who early in the afternoon were giving their hosts a vivid performance of hakas and other dances. Maori Lament. Suddenly they broke off and ran to the stern of the battleship. There they got a close view of a transport backing out into the stream, and spontaneously all the Maoris sang a plaintive lament and farewell. Their English listeners were impressed, and one of the officers said that, although they could not understand the language, the sentiment was so obvious and heartfelt that it brought a lump to one’s throat. The final official visit to the transports was paid while they were at anchor. The party included the DeputyPrime Minister (Mr Fraser) and Mrs Fraser, the Minister for Defence (Mr Jones) and Mrs Jones, the British High Commissioner in New Zealand (Sir Harry- Batterbee), the Officer Commanding New Zealand Forces (General Duigan). and a number of departmental heads.