BELLONA IN PORT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27318, 18 February 1950, Page 6

BELLONA IN PORT

CRUISER’S THIRD VISIT OPEN TO THE PUBLIC Heavy rain provided a dreary welcome for the cruiser Bellona, flagship of the New Zealand Squadron, when she came up the harbour yesterday morning to berth at Birch street wharf on her third visit to Dunedin. Bellona sailed last Sunday from Auckland on her autumn cruise and had made calls at Port Fitzroy, Great Barrier Island, and Akaroa on the voyage south. *The commanding officer, Captain J. H. Ruck-Keene, was piped ashore shortly before noon to pay the customary call on the chairman of the Harbour Board, Mr W. R. Clarke, and the Harbourmaster, Captain F. McKenzie. A reciprocal call was made later, and after lunch Captain Ruck-Keene visited the Mayor, Sir Donald Cameron. Courtesy calls with services organisations and the Navy .League were made during the afternoon. Despite the continued rain, a fair number of people took the opportunity of visiting the cruiser during the afternoon, and she will again be open for public inspection this, afternoon and tomorrow afternoon. Parties of schoolchildren are expected to visit the ship during the week. Bellona will be in port until next Thursday, when she will ' sail to Lyttelton before taking part in combined exercises with units of the Australian Navy. The Royal New Zealand Naval Selection Board will be aboard the cruiser during her stay in Dunedin and will be available to interview prospective candidates for naval careers.