NAVAL SQUADRON

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22058, 14 March 1935, Page 12

NAVAL SQUADRON

'AUSTRALIAN SHIPS CRUISERS AT AUCKLAND PROGRAMME OF TRAINING '/ ENTERTAINING THE PERSONNEL The two cruisers of the Australian Naval Squadron, H.M.A.S. Canberra, flagship of Rear-Admiral W. T. Randle Ford, and H.M.S. Sussex, commanded by Captain S. S. Bonham Carter, arrived from Russell at seven o'clock yesterday morning. The remainder of tlio squadroh,, the destroyers Stuart, "V oyager and Vendetta, left Russell at seven o'clock last evening and are expected kt Auckland at an early hour this morning. The cruisers experienced rough weather on the iourney down the coast, having left Russell on Tuesday afternoon in/ a gale and heavy seas. The destroyers were to have accompanied them, but it was considered that the weather was too rough for the smaller craft and they remained behind until conditions moderated. While the squadron was at Russell opportunity was taken to "clean Bhip," following the journey across the Tasman, and exercises in seamanship were carried out. Prior to leaving Rear-Admiral Ford inspected the ships. A . number of officers secured some deep-sea fishinc, but the rough weather militated against the sport. A regatta had been arranged, but owing to the weather only one sailing race was possible. Salute ot Ouns Upon arriving at Auckland yesterday the Canberra berthed at tho western side of Prince's Wharf, where a berthing party, comprising three sqxiads of boys from the Philomel, was waiting to handle the lines. The Sussey anchored in the stream. When the destroyers arrive they "will berth at tho Devonport naval base. The squadron will remain in Auckland for a week. On Saturday and Sunday afternoons the ships of tho squadron will be open for public inspection from two until five o'clock. To mark the occasion of Navy Week in Melbourne a pamphlet was compiled by the officers of the Canberra, and copies of this will bo availablo to visitors at a nominal charge. /The proceeds will be devoted to naval' charities.

Aucklanders who were not astir early enough to see the cruisers arrive were reminded that the day marked a naval occasion when, at 8 o'clock, the sound of guns barking a salute echoed across the city to the far suburbs. A rearadmiral's salute of 13 guns was fired from tne naval base and was answered by the 'firing of 11 guns from the Sussex. The reply was not made by the.flagship, owing to her being at the wharf. Official Calls Paid

The morning was spent in the paying of official calls. The chairman of the Auckland Harbour Board, Mr. T. B. Clay, / calied on Roctr-Admiral Ford on board the Canberra at 10 o'clock, and this call was returned at 11.30. Colonel J. E. Duigan, officer commanding the Northern Command, paid a call on the flagship at 10.15, the call being returned at 11.15. Bear-Admiral Ford and Captain Bonham Carter called on the Mayor, Mr. G. W. Hutchison, at the Town Hall, at 10.45, and the Mayor returned' the call at noon. Similar courtesies between the visiting rearadmiral and. Rear-Admiral F. Burges Watson, officer commanding the New Zealand Division of the Royal Navy, were paid in the afternoon. Although while the ships are in Auckland various entertainments will be provided for the men, the training of the ships' personnel will continue during hours of duty.' Among the activities Will be height-finding exercises, carried out with the co-operation of aircraft. Next Wednesday the squadron will leave for the Hauraki Gulf, where a day and,/night will be spent in naval exercises. These will include destroyer torpedo /attacks on the cruisers and high-angle firing. In addition to the aeroplane carried on the Sussex, machines • from the Hobsonville air base will co-operate.

Departure of Squadron After the exercises the squadron will proceed to Wellington, which will ho reached on March 23. The Canberra will leave Wellington on March 29, and arrive at Christchurch the same day, while the Sussdx will leave Wellington on March 31 and arrive at Dunedin on April 1. Both ships will leave the respective ports on April 4 and sail for Hobart, Tasmania, which will be reached on April 9. After engaging in combined exercises with the military forces the cruisers will leave for Sydney and arrive there on April 18. The destroyers Stuart and Voyager will remain at Wellington until March 28 when they will sail for Sydney. The Vendetta will pay a call to New Plymouth, leaving .Wellington on March 25, and arriving at New Plymouth the next day. On March 28 she will sail for Sydney, which all three destroyers will reach on April 1. Last evening visiting officers attended an At Home at the Officers' Club, while ai dance for warrant officers and officers commissioned from warrant rank "Wfls cUTiiiigGci tJhe Mercantile Aiixiliary and held in the rooms of the Overseas League.

Sports and Dancing The men have been catered for in many ways, dancing being provided every night, except Sunday, in the shed alongside tho Canberra, on Prince's Wharf, where a buffet also has been installed In this the Navy League and Harbour Board have cooperated. Entertainment is being provided also by the Missions to Seamen and many men made use of the mission facilities yesterday. The local naval authorities have arranged a comprehensive programme of sports, in which the Australian and New Zealand ships' companies will compete. The programme is as follows: — ... -vr-To-day.—Cricket match between New Zealand and Australian squadrons. Six a-side sh6oting match, Philomel v. Vendetta. 1.30 p.m.: Cricket, Philomel v. destroyers, base ground. 8 p.m.: Intersquadron polo, Tepid Baths. _ To-morrow. —10.45: Shooting match, Philomel v. Voyager. 1.30: Water polo, dock. Philomel v. Vendetta,. 1.45: lennis, Philomel ratings v. flotilla ratings. 3.45: Officers' sailing race. Saturday.-—Squash racquets, Philomel v. flotilla. 3 p.m.: Sailing race, in conjunction Richmond Cruising Club. Monday.—lo: Shooting, Philomel v. Stuart. 11.45: Water polo, Philomel v. Voyager. 1.30: Ratings' return tennis match, Philomel v. flotilla. 1.45: Ratings' sailing race. Tuesday. - Return cricket match, base grounds, Philomel v. flotilla.