TEE CRUISER CHATHAM.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18703, 8 May 1924, Page 10

TEE CRUISER CHATHAM.

TO GO TO EAST INDIES!. RATINGS TO BE TRANSHIPPED.. . RELIEVING THE SOUTHAMPTON. • fBT TELEGRAPH. —'PRESS ASSOCIATION.] WELLINGTON. Wednesday. Wellington knows the light cruiser Chatham no more, for early this morning, to the accompaniment of band music, the vessel moved out from Clyde Quay Wharf and steamed out of the heads for the last time. She is en route to Auckland, where she will await the arrival of the Special Service Squadron. ' It might be wondered why , the Chatham does not make the trip ' north with the battle cruisers, but it is understood that the latter, will be steaming at high speed, and though the smaller cruiser is capable of keeping company with them at the rate at which they will travel it has been deemed wiser, in view of the long journey before her, to "take- things easy" going up the East Coast. The flag of Commodore Alister Beal, chief naval officer of the New Zealand Station, will be transferred from the Chatham to the light cruiser Dunedin some time during next week, and the latter vessel will then become the flagship of the New Zealand Navy. . The Chatham's work really commences on May 27, when she will leave Auckland for Colombo, to replace H.M.S. Southampton, as flagship on ths East Indies Station. The Southampton is being sent to England for boiler repairs, which it is anticipated will cause her to be abiiont from the Trinoomalee naval base for about a year. After being relieved by the Southampton the Chatham will proceed to T?hT ratings going from New Zealand with the Chatham will be transferred to the Southampton at Colombo. About 70 of the men, however, will journey by the Ruahine, sailing from Wellington on May 13.

INSPECTION OF WARSHIPS

SCHOOL CHILDREN'S VISITS.

PUPILS FROM THE COUNTRY

The arrangements in connection with the visits of the Auckland school ; children to the Special Service Squadron were outlined yesterday by the secretary of the Education Board, Mr. E. C. Purdie, to members of the board. Saturday was to be the special day apt apart for the visit of the country school children. A special early morning train would be run from Cambridge to Frankton. There would be no special train service north of Kaukapalrapa unless the line was clear, in which case the train would run through to Maunsaturoto. It was possible' there would also be a special train from Whangarei. The Northern Steamship Company had agreed to carry the children from all ports on exceedingly favourable terms. On Saturday afternoon, continued Mr. Purdie, 2500 children would visit the Hood and 2500 the Repulse. The Repulse would be available on Monday and Tuesday mornings, from 10 to 12 o'clock, for 1500 children- each day, and the Hood on Wednesday and Friday for 2500. On Thursday, the ships would 'be closed to visitors. It was understood that the general publio would not be admitted to the ships on school inspection days. The members of the Navy League will assist ; in supervising, and catering for, the children on the days set apart for their visit to the ships.