NOTED VISITORS

New Zealand Herald, Volume 81, Issue 25053, 17 November 1944, Page 4

NOTED VISITORS

LORD AND LADY KEYES ARRIVAL SHORTLY INTEREST IN DOMINION (Special Representative) SYDNEY. Nov. 15 Admiral of the Fleet Lord Keyes, accompanied by Lady Keyes, will visit New Zealand at the end of their present Australian tour. Their stay in New Zealand will probably last several weeks and will include the Christmas season. This will be only the second occasion that a British naval officer of Lord Keyes' rank has visited New Zealand, the first being a former Governor-General, the late Lord Jelli-" coe. Both Lord and Lady Keyes said last night that they were keenly looking forward to their visit. They have cousins in the Dominion, and Lady Keyes has a particularly long family connection with the country. " Post-War Roles of Navies Lord Keyes hopes to have the opportunity of meeting members of the Government and naval officials and of discussing service questions with them. Ho has delinite ideas as to the post-war roles of the Royal and Dominion navies, not only as individual units but also as a complete force. One development which lie strongly _ advocates is the expansion of the air striking power of the navy on the American pattern. At the same time it is not his intention or wish to dictate to the Dominions in any way on questions of policy.

Apart from fulfilling official engagements, Lord Keyes hopes to find time in New Zealand for a thorough rest after months of activity. _ Although making his initial visit, his interest in the Dominion goes back many years. He had a close association with many New Zealand soldiers when Chief of the British Naval Staff at Gallipoli in 1915. For exercise he used to walk each evening in the Anzac trenches. Meeting With Dockyard Workers Tall and sparsely built, the 72-year-old admiral has an easy manner and a democratic spirit. His natural affability does not prevent him from speaking his mind, however, as was demonstrated by his recent criticism of work on the Australian home front.- His decision to discuss the question with indignant dockyard workers showed that he had lost nothing of his former gameness, while the good terms on which he parted with the men pointed to his great friendliness. In Sydney he has spent long periods chatting to former naval men, and t he has been particularly interested* in meeting those who joined the service at about the same time as he did, nearly 60 years ago. Oouslns in New Zealand Lady Keyes said she would be very glad to meet women members of the services in New Zealand. Although modest about her own war activity, she has assisted in a munitions factory and in first-aid work, and has had personal experience of coping with incendiary bombs and burning buildings. At the same time sho lias had the duty of running an admiral's household unaided.

In New Zealand Lady Keves hopes to meet several first cousins. Her family lias b&en related to fire holders of Vice-Regal positions—Lord Ranfurly. Sir James Ferguson, the Countess of Glasgow, and Sir Charles and Lady Fergusson. Lord and Lady Keves will travel to New Zealand after visiting Victoria and Tasmania. They will later return to Australia. DECORATIONS WON TWO WAIKATO AIRMEN (0.C.) HAMILTON. Thursday Awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, Flight-Lieutenant A, R. Galbraith is a son of Mr and Mrs A. Galbraith, of Frankton Junction. He is '26 and joined the R.N.Z.A.F. in October, 1940. He left for Canada two months later, was commissioned as an observer in May. 1941, and is now Hearing the end of his third tour of bombing operations. He has been flying in Wellingtons, Lancasters and Mosquitoes. For gallantry while a navigator on operations in a Lancaster bomber, Flight-Sergeant E. Featherstonhaugh, son of Mr and Mrs H. Featherstonhaugh, of Waitetuna, near Frankton Junction, has been awarded the Distinguished Flying Medal. Flight-Sergeant Featherstonhaugh was horn at Hamilton 24 years ago, and was educated at King's College. Auckland. He joined the R.N.Z.A.F. in February, 1942, and left nine months later for Canada. His parents have received_ advice that he has now been commissioned. LAND FOR FIRE STATION PROPOSAL AT ROTORUA (0.C.) ROTORUA, Thursday While Mr R. Girling Butcher, inspector of fire brigades, was addressing the Rotorua Borough Council last night on fire risks in the borough, unexpected emphasis was given to his remarks by the sounding of the fire siren. Mr Butcher was speaking in support of statements made by Mr F. Goodson, chairman of the Fire Board, and Mr T. Anderson, superintendent of the brigade, in urging the transfer of a borough section, with 132 ft frontage in Amohau Street for the purposes of a fire station and four twin flats for volunteer brigadesmen. Mr Butcher said that because of the large number of wooden hotels and hoarding houses in the town there was an ever-present risk of a serious outbreak. Lt was pointed out that the council could not make a direct gift of the section to the board. If it gave up possession the property would revert to the Crown, which would then hand it over for the use of the fire board. The council will further consider the proposal at an early date. WOMAN'S SERIOUS INJURY When she fell at her home yesterday afternoon Mrs Eva Wilkinson, aged 71, of 63 Lloyd Avenue, Mount Albert, fractured her right thigh. She was admitted to the Auckland Hospital, and her condition is serious. POWER SUPPLY FAILS A fault in a high-tension feeder caused an electric-povver failure at Mission Bay and Meadowbank last night, the whole of the two . areas being affected. Domestic supply and street lights went off at 7.45. 1 lie service was restored at Mission Bay after three-quarters of an hour and at Meadowbank a short time later*