SIR LIONEL HALSEY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19452, 7 October 1926, Page 10

SIR LIONEL HALSEY.

The promotion of Vice-Admiral Sir Lionel Halsey to the rank of admiral is an event with a direct interest for New Zealand. The name of Admiral Halsey became directly associated with the Dominion when he was appointed to command H.M.S. New Zealand. When the Admiralty sent the battleship on an Empire cruise in 1913 Sir Lionel Halsey was in command. The first sight. the country had of the great vessel given by it to the Navy impressed opinion profoundly. The visit left the country well content that the ship should be in the hands of the man who had brought it to these shores. Faith in it, its crew and its commanding officer was amply justified when Sir Lionel Halsey took the New Zealand into action in the battles of Heligoland Bight and Dogger Bank. The great skip and the captain with whose name she was most intimately associated afterwards parted company, but it will never be forgotten who was in command when she received her baptism of fire, associating the Dominion definitely with the naval side of the war. When Sir Lionel Halsey again visited New Zealand with the Prince of Wales, in 1920, welcoming him was like greeting an old friend. The second visit confirmed and enlarged the feeling of esteem for the man who, it was generally felt, had carried the honour of New Zealand in his hands in battle. Later events have tended to decrease his association with the Dominion, but he will not readily be forgotten. The new honour he has received will be greeted with general satisfaction in this country.