NAVY ACTIVITIES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22210, 10 September 1935, Page 11

NAVY ACTIVITIES

THE DEVONPORT BASE DUNEDIN UNDOCKING TO-DAY INTER-SHIP SPORT EVENTS With tho return to Auckland of the two cruisers of tho Now Zealand Division of tho Royal Navy, H.M.S. Dunodin and H.M.S. Diomede, from the Pacific Islands there has been increased activity at tho Devonport base. Since her return tho Duncdin has been in dock for cleaning and painting and has been restored to her nofmal appearance. Owing to the boisterous westerly wind yesterday the Dunedin was unable to como out of dock in the afternoon as was intended and she will now do so at 10 o'clock this morning. The dockyards present a busy appearance. Now water mains are being laid for the primary purpose of fire protection and new stokers' training huts, consisting of a lecture room, workshop and recreation room, are being built. On Shccrlegs Wharf there are nine large cases containing gun mountings, which will bo placed in store. The mountings, each of which weighs nine tons, arrived recently from England and were taken to the base by lighter. Twelve youths and 10 second-class stokers have completed thei.r training and have been drafted to sea and recruits to replace them will be selected next month. An engineroom artificer, a supply assistant, two cooks and a shipwright will also be recruited. Warrant Telegraphist H. Philpott has returned to the base after an 18 months' course in England, including service on H.M.S. Hood. He has rejoined the Philomel and will be engaged in giving instruction to the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve in Auckland. Later he will give similar instruction in Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin. The return of the cruisers has seen a resumption of inter-ship Soccer matches. Tho Blackwood Shield was won by the Diomede team and great interest is being taken in a friendlv return match to bo played on Thursday against tho Philomel, the runnersup. About 40 men from each ship are in training for a marathon race over a course of about four miles, which is to be held at tho end of this month. Teams of 12 from each ship are to bo chosen and the decision will be given on points gained by the first 10 placed. The sloops H.M.S. Leith and H.M.S. Wellington will be in port then and will enter teams for the event.