THE CRUISER DIOMEDE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21578, 25 February 1932, Page 13

THE CRUISER DIOMEDE

ITINERARY OF THE WARSHIP (Per United Press Association.) AUCKLAND, February 24. To represent the New Zealand Government at the official opening of the Sydney Harbour bridge, H.M.S. Diomede will leave Auckland for Sydney via northern ports to-morrow. Before cruiser returns to Auckland Rear-admiral Geogrey Blake, who will leave with the Diomede, will have relinquished the command of the New Zealand 1 Division of the Royal Navy, the change taking place at Wellington in April. The visit to Sydney will occupy eight days and on March 22 the Diomede will t leave on her return trip to New Zealand. In the /Dominion she will carry out the following itinerary:— Arrive Nelson March 25, sail March 31; arrive Picton April 1, sail April 9; arrive Wellington April 9. Over three weeks will be spent at Wellington, during which time the warship’s crewr will undergo their annual musketry course at Trentliam. exercises the warship will leave Wellington on May 2 and return to Auckland on May 4. During the Diomede’s stay at Wellington Rear-admiral Blake will relinquish his position after completing over two and a-half years as commodore in command of the New Zealand Division. The command will be taken over by Captain Fischer Burgees Watson, D. 5.0., who will arrive at Wellington from London by the Rangitata on April 14. Rear-admiral Blake will leave New Zealand for England via Vancouver and will sail by the Aorangi, which will leave Auckland early in May. ' x