RETURN OF WARSHIPS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20866, 7 May 1931, Page 10

RETURN OF WARSHIPS.

LABURNUM AND DIOMEDE. SEVEN WEEKS ABSENCE. TRAINING AT WELLINGTON. After an absence from Auckland of seven weeks the cruiser Diomede arrived from Wellington early yesterday morning and berthed at, Shcerlegs Wharf. The Diomede left Auckland on March 18, and after visiting Picton and Nelson went to Wellington, where she remained for about a month while the ship's company carried out field and musketry training. The Diomede remained at Ficton for four clays, and upon leaving for Nelsoil on March 24 she was held up for 12 hours by fog, anchoring in Waitui Bay, close to Queon Charlotte Sound. She reached Wellington on April 1, the ship's company being divided into two watches for training at Trentliam, each watch remaining in camp for a fortnight. Commander V. A. C. Crutchley was in command of the camp.

Assistance was given by members of the Diomede's company at the wreck of the steamer Progress at Ohiro Bay. A petty officer and six men with a rocket party were sent to help with the rescuo work. They were at tho scene of the wreck from 5.30 a.m. until 4 p.m. On the trip from Wellington to Auckland a full power trial was held, the cruiser steaming at full speed for two hours. Her full 40.000 horse-power was developed. Back leave will now be given the ship's company, which will bo divided into two watches. The leave will be for about a fortnight each watch. The Diomede will dock on June 1 for cleaning and will remain there until about June 10. On Juno 25 she will leave for a cruise of tho South Sea Islands, returning on September 4. Before tho Diomede left Wellington Rear-Admiral Blake transferred his flag to the Veronica, on which he will pay an official visit to Wanganui, where the Diomede would riot be able to berth. He will return overland to Auckland about Saturday. The Veronica will visit Wanganui, New Plymouth and Whangaroa before returning to Auckland, where she is scheduled to arrive on J lay 22. The war sloop Laburnum arrived at Auckland from Wellington yesterday after-, noon. Before going to Wellington, where the ship's company was engaged in field and musketry training, the Laburnum conducted a cruise of North and South Island ports. The sloop will dock for cleaning about May 25, and she is to leave on a cruise of the Pacific Islands about June 7. The date of her return is not yet definite, but probably it will be about the beginning of September.