WORK AT NAVAL BASE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22193, 21 August 1935, Page 12

WORK AT NAVAL BASE

| HARBOUR BOARD'S SANCTION 1 IMPROVEMENT OF FACILITIES Alterations to some of the existing buildings and the present lay-out of the Devonport naval base, which will be undertaken by the Defence Department to make better use of the facilities there, were approved at a meeting of the Auckland Harbour Board yesterday. It was stated that tho work suggested would in no way interfere with the commercial use of Calliope Dock. A letter was received from the Minister of Defence, the Hon. J. G. Cobbe, regarding the uso of the dock, which would require to be lengthened to accommodate cruisers of the Leander type, the first of which would arrive at Auckland not later than September, 1930. The Minister was prepared to consider any suggestions the board might desiro to make regarding the torms of an agreement to become operative after the present agreement with the Admiralty expired. If terms could be arranged, the Minister stated, ho could see no reason why a contract should not bo entered into now superseding the existing one, but preserving such particulars as, by virtue of the existing contract, would remain in full force until 1.039. " This is a very important matter as members will understand," said the chairman, Mr. C. G. Macindoe. . The question was referred to the board in committee.