GENERAL ITERS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16590, 13 January 1916, Page 5

GENERAL ITERS

BRITISH MOSQUITO SQUADRON. ALWAYS READY. LONDON, January 11. At the Admiralty's invitation representatives of the Australian Press Association visited an important naval base, whence the mosquito squadron is in readiness at two minutes' notice to dart out. Target practice and training continue as in peace time, as well as war games with miniature torpedoes. The visitors saw trawlers, mine-layers, and mine-sweepers, with their attendant depot ships, aeroplane vessels, and other novel auxiliaries, representing the latest developments in naval science. The squadron includes a number of the latest and speediest destroyers afloat, with flotilla leaders capable of outstripping any enemy destroyers, and light cruisers, of which the paTty inspected the Arethusa. She is as saucy as when she was completed, left the dock, went to sea, and fought an action on August 28, and was back in dock again in less than five days. The Arethusa is proud of her wounds. All her holes are plastered over with iron plates. The visit provided the happiest evidence of the readiness of our fleet to " strafe " any enemy vessels venturing ill to the open. THE MUNITIONS BILL. LONDON, January 11. (Received Jan. 12, at 9.20 p.m.) In the House of Lords the second reading of tho Munitions Bill was carried.