“Achilles Day” Will Make N.Z. History

Northern Advocate, 21 February 1940, Page 6

“Achilles Day” Will Make N.Z. History

City Will Have Record Crowds

[Special to “Northern Advocate”] A I.’OK LAND. This Day. DAY*’ IN AUCKLAND WILL MAKE HISTORY, FOR THE WELCOME HOME TO THE HEROES OF THE NEW ZEALAND WARSHIP WILL BE ON A SCALE WITHOUT PRECEDENT, AND IT IS EXPECTED THAT THE CITY WILL BE THRONGED WITH RECORD CROWDS. Plans tor the great welcome are being pushed forward rapidly towards conclusion. The Mayor of Auckland. Sir Ernest Davis, made a general survey of the position this morning, and referred to many details •that had to be arranged. ‘".After all, our main concern is to ensure that appropriate provision is made for the immediate nexl-ol'-kin of the gallant men of lI.M S. Achilles.” lie said.

& “For my part, I should have been delighted to see present at all the gatherings every member and near relative of each family concerned, but extremely limited space available has prevented that wish being fulfilled.” Next of Kin. There was a big rush today for next-of-kin tickets to admit to the reserved Central Wharf when H.M.S. Achilles arrives. Last night the Mayor (Sir Ernest Davisl sent 350 telegrams to the immediate next-of-kin of members of the ship’s company, including several Northland residents. Replies are coming to hand from all parts of the Dominion, indicating that the majority of the relatives will be in attendance. Extensive decorations have been .arranged for the city and harbour, including flags and bunting on Achilles Point flying Nelson's signal. Primary and secondary schools will close, the Police Court will hold the brieiest session, and most workers will be given a part holiday. The pleasure fleet will meet the Achilles as she approaches the harbour. No Morning Sightseers. The general public will not be admitted to the Central Wharf until 2 p.m. at the earliest on the day the vessel gets back to port. In explaining this arrangement today, the chairman of the Auckland Harbour Board (.Mr W. B. Darlow) said that in the morning the wharf was to be reserved for the next-of-kin of the men of the Achilles. “There will be many scenes on the wharf on that morning of a purely private and domestic nature,” he said, “and it has been decided that there shall be no idle sightseers to interrupt the family reunions.” Mr Darlow said that next-of-kin tickets were being issued only to those entitled to receive them, and there would be rigid exclusion from the wharf of the general public. Not even members of the Harbour Board’s staff would have special privileges. Waterfront Holiday. Work on the Auckland waterfront will be suspended between the hours of 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. on the occasion of the arrival of H.M.S. Achilles. An announcement to this effect was made this morning by Captain R. S. Lewis, chairman of the Port of Auckland Shipping and Stevedores’ Association. One of the first greetings the Achilles will pick up when coming up Rangitoto Channel will be the signal, made with international code flags: "Well done, Achilles,” which the Commodore of the Tamaki Yacht Club, Mr W. A. Wilkinson, has prepared and will fly from the flagstaff on the clubhouse at Bastion Point. Spectacular Military Parade. The military parade in honour of the officers and men of H.M.S. Achilles will be the most spectacular and one of the largest seen in New Zealand for many years. Approximately 6000 officers and other ranks will participate, strong detachments from all the fighting services having been ordered. Officers and men of the New Zealand Division of the Royal Navy, the Royal New Zealand Air Force, the Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force, territorials and secondary school cadets will make an impressive contribution to the military ceremonial of the day. The North Shore cliffs are to be lined by officers and non-commission-ed officers of the Third Echelon who are in training at Narrow Neck, and they will be reinforced by territorials on duty at the forts. As the Achilles comes down Rangitoto Channel these men will give her a rousing welcome.