TRAINING SHIP

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25068, 9 November 1942, Page 4

TRAINING SHIP

COMMISSIONING OF WAIREKA

QUARTERS FOR SEA CADETS

“ Dunedin should be proud of its Sea Cadet Corps, because apart from the training given the boys to lit them for careers in the Navy or Merchant Marine, they also receive lessons in discipline and good behaviour which will stand them in good stead as citizens,” said Commander F. Fraser. R.N.V.R., at the commissioning of the Navy League Sea Cadet training ship Waireka on Saturday afternoon. The oeremony, which was largely attended, was carried out by Commander F. G, McDonald, R.N.R., with whom were associated Mr J. Sutherland Ross, president of the Naw League, and representatives of the Harbour Board and City Council. The day could be regarded as a redletter day for the Sea, Cadets, Commander Fraser said. It was the culmination of months of arduous work m transforming the old Waireka from what was virtually a w.eck into an admirablyequipped training ship. The steps taken to acquire the Waireka were outlined by Mr Sutherland Ross, who paid a tribute to Mr Kirby, who had acted as secretary of the Citizens’ Committee which had raised the money to purchase the vessel. The citizens of Dunedin and many organisations and business concerns, Mr Ross added, had responded generously. The league was especially grateful to the Harbour Board and its officers for supervision and help in bringing the Waireka to its permanent be th, the Dunedin Savings Bank for a generous contribution of £3OO, and the shipping companies which had helped in many ways. The present strength of the corps was 100, and since its inception 83 of its members had joined the Merchant Marine and the Navy. Mr Ross appealed for a continuance of public support for the movement, which was of inestimable value at present. . An assurance of continued support to the league was given by Cr E. J. Smith, representing the Dunedin City Council. The city, he said, watched with pride the progress made in the training of Sea Cadets, and councillors recognised that many of the men now serving in the Navy and Merchant Marine had received their early instruction as members of the corps: After an inspection of the corps, Commander McDonald complimented the boys on the work they had accomplished in putting the ship into condition to serve as permanent quarters. He then formally commissioned the Waireka, and invited public inspection of the vessel.