REGATTA FLAGSHIP

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22010, 17 January 1935, Page 11

REGATTA FLAGSHIP

NO WARSHIP AVAILABLE INTERVENTION SOUGHT \ MAYOR DECLINES TO ACT A request from a deputation of members of the Anniversary Regatta Committee that Vie Government should be approached in an effort to have a warship made available as flagship for the regatta on January 29, was refused by the .Mayor, Mr. G. W. Hutchison, who received the deputation yesterday. Mr. Hutchison said he had heard from RearAdmiral F. Burges Watson, commodore of the New Zealand Division of tho Royal Navy, that, owing to delayed movements, no ship would be available. He absolutely declined to approach any Cabinet Minister to override the decision of the proper naf'al authorities* Mr. T. L. Thompson, chairman of the committee, said the regatta was tho chief celebration marking the anniversary of the foundation of the largest city and province in the Dominion. The committee had approached the naval authorities, asking that a warship should be provided, as in the past, to act as flagship. After a considerable delay, a reply was received that owing to the visit of the Duke of Gloucester, which had interrupted the normal movements of ships, programmes could not bo altered to allow a warship to be provided. Departure of Diomede "We appealed for a naval ship and could not get it," Mr. Thompson said. "Actually, the Diomede is to go into the Hauraki Gulf for gunnery practice the night beforo the regatta, and we think her departure could easily be delayed for a day. We are appealing to you to get in "touch with the Prime Minister, the Minister of Defence and the Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates to see if the decision can be altered.

"The Prime Minister inte/ids to come to Auckland for the regatta and we cannot entertain him on board a scow. We think tho people of Auckland are justified in asking for one of our own warships. Tho Navy costs us about £600.000 a year." Mr. W. A. Wilkinson said it might be possible to have an overseas merchant vessel as flagship. Reply by Mayor

"I regard the regatta as the most important function we have here," said Mr. Hutchison, "not only because of the display on our harbour, of which we are so proud, but also because it celebrates our most important annual event. On that ground no greater appeal could be made to me than can be made on behalf of the regatta. "Rear-Admiral Burgos Watson is no less enthusiastic about our harbour, yachting and the anniversary regatta than any of his predecessors. He has proved time and again that he would stretch a point if he could for a fixture of this nature. When I heard of the difficulty that had arisen, I saw RearAdmiral Burges Watson and asked if any arrangements could be made to meet the position. He said definitely that nothing could be done. On the day of the regatta, the Laburnum would be in dock, the Dunedin would be under refit and the Diomede would be oufc ( of port. The itineraries of the ships had been upset and they would have to adhere strictly to their programmes. "With regard to the suggestion that I should appeal to members of the Government, 1 want to say quite frankly that I would not do it. Wo have in charge of the Navy a man who is entirely competent to deal with such matters and I decline to approach any Minister with the request that he should over-ride the official decision."

Mr." Hutchison added that he felt sure one of the shipping companies would offer tho services of a steamer to act as flagship.