H.M.S. DUNEDIN.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19465, 28 April 1925, Page 12

H.M.S. DUNEDIN.

IH ■ I IIEP AETDEE FOE. THE I | NOETH. ■SCENES OF ENTHUSIASM. I COMMODORE BEAL’S MESSAGES. ■Amidst a scene of great enthusiasm BJU.Q. Dunedin, flagship of the New ZeaBnd '.Naval Division, left this port yesBrdajr morning, bound for Wellington and Buckiknd. In spite of the early hour Bxed i for the cruiser’s departure, large Bowds were present at the Rattray street Bhart. Shortly before 9 a.m. members cf B»e crew said their final good-byes to their Bioret friends. Natnrally the majority Bern females, and moist eyes could be disfcrned amongst the throng. As the Bruiser’s bell sounded the hour of 9 a.m. lie ship began lo move slowly away from ■er feerth, assisted by the tug Dunedin lowing on a line made fast to the warIhip’s; stern bits. The cruiser’s band ■-’as jstationeci on the boat deck aft, and llayett several inspiring selections. Slowly Ihe Dnnedln was turned in the basin, the |persj,tion taking exactly 25 minutes to Then, with the band playing ■he familiar refrain “Auld Lang Syne,” kithCfnost of the men standing at stations, Ind "lijith the men heaving the lead for’ard, ■he Dunedin quickly gathered headway, Ind moved down channel amidst the cheers Ind shouts of “good-bye” from the crowd In the' - wharf.' Before the cruiser cleared ■he steamer basin a string of flags shot, Ikywards from the yard-arm of’the r.iainkast. ' It was the silent parting message ■fbmlthe ship—the international code cigtal, ‘{Good-bye; thank you.” Such a eomlliraqnt proved beyond doubt that the Dunedin's oflicers and crew appreciated the Eonrtesy shown by the citizens during the lielt of the warship. , I It was a striking departure by a stately Ihip. The Dunedin’s visit will be long lemembered. The cruiser was piloted to |he open sea by Captain Macdonald, of the Barbour Board’s pilot staff. I The Dunedin will remain at Wellington |ntili;Monday next. She will then proceed Eo Auckland, which port she left on Febluary 0 on a three montlis’ cruise of New feaiand. The cruiser is due at Auckland In May 6 to dock and refit. I Prijpr to the Dunedin’s departure Cbmkodofe Beal forwarded the following letter Ko the Mayor (Mr H. L. Tapley) ’. — I SJr,-—I have the honour to request that I you will be good enough to accept and I to convey to the citizens of Dunedin my I most sincere gratitude, and that of the I oAgers and ship’s company of H.M.S. I Dunedin for the extremely kind and corI dial welcome which has been extended I to ijus Majesty's ship under my comI ma£d, and for all the kindness and I gnCrous hospitality which has bein I shown to us during our delightful visit | I eaa assure you how greatly this vis’d I has been enjoyed by all on board, and I with what feelings of pleasure we shall I look forward to returning to Dunedin on I.a future occasion. 1 desire once more I to 'express our very deep appreciation’ I. of (the gift of the magnificent set of band I instruments which has been presented I to ■'the ship by the citizens of Dunedin, I and assure them how greatly their kind r thought and generosity is valued by all |; on ’ board.—(Signed) Alister F. Beal, j Commodore Commanding New Zealand I station.” I The Mayor also received the following letter from Commodore Bea I; [ g'ir,— On behalf of the ship’s company I of 'H.M.S. Dunedin, it gives me the I greatest pleasure to accept the magniflI cent set of band instruments which has I been so kindly presented to the ship by, the citizens of Dunedin. Will you be*'good enough to express to the citii zens our very sincere gratitude for this gift aud to assure them how deeply it is appreciated. It gives me much gratification .to learn that a considerable sum of money towards the purchase of the instruments was subscribed by the school children of Dunedin, And I ask that our special thanks be dtmyeyed to them. The conditions attached to -the gift—-namely, that should H.M.S. Dunedin be transferred to other watef?, the instruments are to be handed I overßo the flagship of the New Zealand station which may replace her, will he strictly observed. An official notifleai tiomto this effect has been inserted in the Chip’s hook.—(Signed) Alister I. Beal, Commodore Commanding New Zealand Station. In connection with the presentation of the instruments lo the Dunedin, it may be mentioned that it is a full set of Besson's triple -silver plated. The cost of the full Bet was £633. Of this amount Messrs Chaa. ;Begg’and Co., who imported the instruments, gave some £200; the school children (if Dunedin contributed £4O; the Otago Expansion League collected £IOB, and the balance was subscribed by the citizens, the City Connell, St. Kilda Borough Council, and the Harbour Board.