AMERICAN BASE

New Zealand Herald, Volume 81, Issue 25030, 21 October 1944, Page 6

AMERICAN BASE

NAVY TO LEAVE CEREMONY TOMORROW OUTLINE OF FUTUBE The United States Naval Operating Base in Auckland will be closed tomorrow morning, and its officers and enlisted men will leave New Zealand shortly. The American flag which flies over the base headquarters »at Mechanics' Bay will be lowered at 9 a.m., and this small ceremony will virtually close a period in New Zealand's history which has been of great significance to this and neighbouring countries and of intense interest to all New Zealanders.

Only a handful of Navy personnel will be left in Auckland until such time as communications which they have maintained can be transferred to New Zealand control. The only other American sailors which Aucklanders can expect to see in the future will be any who might come in visiting warships or as armed guard crews for merchant-

men. Marines and Army The 3rd United States Marine Corps Base Depot will also remain for the time being. In addition to certain duties which have prolonged its tour of service in New Zealand, it will attend to various matters which the Navy has not been able to complete. It is not yet known when the United States Army Forces and Service Command in New Zealand, now much smaller than a few months ago, will close its establishment. In buildings this consists mainly of a portion of the Dilworth Building, the whole of the Waverley Hotel, an enlisted men's encampment, known as Camp Hale, in the Outer Domain, and the 39th General Hospital in Cornwall Park. Senior Officer in New Zealand

In addition to being commandant of the Naval Operating Base, the senior naval officer, now Commander J. L. Robertson, lias been the New Zealand representative of the Commander of the South Pacific Area, now Vice-Admiral J. H. Newton. This representation will be maintained by Captain Herman Gingrich. Supply Corps. United States Nary, whose main office will be in Wellington. However, he will maintain a subordinate office in Auckland.

The Joint Purchasing Board will also remain in New Zealand to control such further supply operations as are necessarv for the conduct of the war. its stay is indefinite, but will probably outlast the war. However, although this outline of the future shows that some American activities will continue throughout the next few months, while a few others will be maintained indefinitely, the closing of the naval operating base —established in those days of the 1942 emergency when Auckland \Vas the actual headquarters of the whole South Pacific Area theatre of war—itself marks the end of a period. From Emergency to Success

Because the South Pacifio Area, and the campaigns which have been conducted within it, have been under the command of a naval officer —the succession has been Vice-Admiral R. L. Ghormley, Admiral W. F. Halsey and Vice-Admiral Newton —naval activities in New Zealand have naturally been of predominant authority. Thus, the departure of the naval base, which was established in the early months of 1942, waxed in 1942-43 and waned in 1944, turns the first page of the final chapter of the American story in New Zealand. It also automatically indicates the immense change which has taken place in the Pacific war in the past two years. Emergency brought the American Navy to Auckland; success takes it away. LOANS TO SERVICEMEN

THE RATES OF INTEREST A REDUCTION INTENDED (S.R.) WELLINGTON, Friday "Interest rates on loans charged to ex-servicemen of this war are under investigation, and the Government intends to reduce the rates," said the Minister of Rehabilitation, Mr Skinner, when the Rehabilitation Department estimates were before the House of Representatives today. The Minister could not at that stage say what the new rates would be, but he would make a statement shortly. . The Opposition agreed to defer discussion on rehabilitation in the knowledge that a Rehabilitation Amendment Bill is to be brought down, possibly next week. A full opportunity to discuss the subject will then be afforded.

CHILDREN SCALDED HOT WATER JUG UPSET A 14-year-old girl, Patricia Lewis, and her infant brother, Ivan Lewis, aged six months, were admitted to the Auckland Hospital yesterday suffering from severe scalds caused when a jug of hot water was knocked over while the girl was holding the baby in her arms. Their father, Mr G. Lewis, lives in Great North Road, Henderson. Both children are reported to be in a fairly serious condition. CROSSING COLLISION MOTORIST ESCAPES INJURY A motor-car driven by Mr. .1 Stephens, of Matamata, was involved in a collision with the Rotorua-Auck-land train on the Bedford Park level crossing, 200 yds south of the Matamata railway station, last evening. Mr Stephens escaped injury, but extensive damage was done to the car. The locomotive was damaged and the train wa3 delayed for about 40 minutes until another engine was obtained.

DROWNING OF FARMER An inquest into the death of Mr Allan Hugh Bell, married, aged 47, a farmer, of Riverhead, was opened before Mr Alfred Addison, city coroner, yesterday. Deceased was drowned in the river at .Riverhead on Thursday. Evidence was given that he had been seen walking toward the river. He had been in ill-health for some time. The inquest was adjourned. FALL IN CITY STORE Falling down a stairway yesterday in Smith and Caughey's store, where he is employed as a despatch clerk, Mr Charles Oram, aged 72. married, of 83 Albert Eoad, Devonport, suffered concussion. He was admitted to the Auckland Hospital.