NAVAL COMMANDS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23769, 24 September 1940, Page 6

NAVAL COMMANDS

MINE-SWEEPING POSTS '

NEW ZEALANDERS SELECTED PRAISE FOR BRITISH SHIPS The enthusiasm of several newlyappointed New Zealand commanders for Britain's. new mine-sweeping skip's is told in a letter received in Auckland from Lieutenant-Commander J. G. Hilliard, N.Z.R.N.V.R., son of Mr. H. N. Hilliard, of Auckland, who left for England with a detachment of other officers some time ago.' : . "I am sure you will be pleased to hear of the New Zealand officers' good fortune in getting commands immediately," writes Lieutenant-Commander Hilliard. "Taylor, Newman, Connolly, Smyth, Bridson, Harding, Phipps, Palmer, Tidswell and myself all have commands. "Our ships are brand new and suited only for mine-swqeping," he continues. "They arc beautiful little ships of 700 tons, with a single screw and a rather high forecastle, which makes tliera a bit difficult to manoeuvre, but after getting used to them we shall be quite all right. We are naturally delighted to get such ships.

"The accommodation is first-class," the writer adds. "The bridge is totally enclosed and has three decks, the last deck containing two cabins. Mine is approximately 10ft. by 9ft., with a built-in bunk and wardrobes, hot and cold water, writing desk, bathroom, and in fact everything has been studied for comfort as much as possible. The other cabin is similar, but smaller. "Down below aft there is a bathroom, and going down a hatch opens on to a flat, one side of which contains two well-equipped cabins," the letter states. "On the other side there is a wardroom, about loft, by ,10ft;, containing table and chairs, coal stove and a pneumatic-cushioned settee."