SAILED FOR DOMINION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18689, 21 April 1924, Page 7

SAILED FOR DOMINION.

EMPIRE SERVICE FLEET. TWO GREAT BATTLESHIPS. HOOD and the REPULSE. 'ADELAIDE ACCOMPANIES. LIGHT CRUISEIiS FOLLOWING By Tel eci:aph— Ansociation— (Received 7.5 p.m.) A. and N.Z. SYDNEY. April 20. The two great battleships o![ the Empire Special Service Squadron, the Hood and the B.epulse, sailed at seven o'clock this morning for Wellington. They were accompanied by the cruiser Adelaide. The squadron's visit to Sydney practically ended last night, and the city will now take down its decorations and dressing of bunting, which have been in evidence since the ships* arrival. Favoured by fine weather the personnel had a busy time with social functions and sight-see-ing, combined with much official business and hard work in connection with fleet matters. Great crowds visited the ships, and generally the visit created an excellent impression, both as regards Britain's sea power, as represented by the squadron, and its personnel.

The Adelaide is to become part of th« special squadron during the remainder of the cruise. The light cruiser squadron, with the exception of the Dragon, will return to Sydney from Brisbane on Tuesday, and will depart for New Zealand on Thursday.

The Dragon will remain at Brisbane till Thursday, when she will sail to join up with the remainder of the light cruiser squadron en route to New Zealand. Speaking at the Government's farewell dinner to the fleet at Parliament House Vice-Admiral Sir Frederick Field, commander of the squadron, expressed • his thanks for Sydney's magnificent reception. He declared that the Empire could not exist without adequate sea power. He was impressed by the need for Australia doing her part in naval defence. Sir Frederick paid a tribute to the Australian Navy, declaring: "So far as I can see there is no difference between them and us."

The itinerary of the Empire Special Service Squadron for the New Zealand visit and thereafter until its arrival at San Francisco is as follows, B.C. indicating battle cruisers and L.C. light cruisers:—

Shine Port. Arrive. Stay. Leave, con(days). corned. ■Wellington . Apl. 3 11 May 8 B.C. Lyttelton .. May 1 7 May 8 L.C. Auckland >. May 10 7 May 17 All Fiji . • ; .. May 21 6 May 27 All Honolulu ps June 6 7 June 12 All Ea juimalt •. June 51 12 July 4 .L.C. Vancouver, .. June 21 12 July 4 B.C. San Francisco July 7 4 July 11 All