H.M.A.S. MELBOURNE

Otago Witness, Issue 3542, 31 January 1922, Page 47

H.M.A.S. MELBOURNE

CIVIC RECEPTION AT AUCKLAND. AUCKLAND, January 25. A civic reception was tendered to Admiral Duinaresq and the officers of the Melbourne to-day. Replying to the Mayor’s speech of welcome, Admiral Dumaresq 6aid that he had no political or naval mandate except to convey to the people of New Zealand the good-will of the commonwealth. The naval position as between Australia and New Zealand in the Pacific could be summed up in one word—Anzac. That word was going to be the most potent in connection with the Pacific policy of the future. Unfortunately, navies would continue to be a necessity, because the sea-girt dominions had made arrangements for their commerce to go to and from on the seas : otherwise they jeopardised their existence. Statesmen could not use diplomacy without a minimum of force. The navy was an insurance. The people of New Zealand knew that and acted up to it. REVISED ITINERARY. WELLINGTON, January 26. ITie following is the revised itinerary of H.M.A.S. Melbourne: Arrived Auckland January 24, to depart January 28. Arrive Wellington January 30, depart February 3. Arrive Lyttelton February 4, depart February 7. Arrive Dunedin February 8 depart February 12. ATTRACTIVE PROGRAMMES ARRANGED. The Mayor of the City (Mr J. S. Douglas) on Thursday received the following telegram from the Minister of Defence:—‘‘ln reference to my letter of January 16, owing to delay in the arrival in the dominion of H.M.A.S. Melbourne, her programme has necessarily been revised as follows: —Arrive Lyttelton February 4; leave February 7, and arrive Dunedin February 8.” The Mayor forwarded invitations to RoarAdmiral Dumaresq (of the Melbourne) and Commodore Hotham (commander of the Chatham) inviting their presence and that of as many members of the crews as could bo spared at the trotting meeting at Forburv in aid of the funds of the orphanages on February 8. The Mayor on Thursday received the following reply from RearAdmiral Dumaresq:—“ln answer to your invitation to take part in carnival (orphanage benefit), I can arrange tug-of-war between warship Melbourne and warship Chatham, also field gun display. If you can supply hall and advertisements a boxing tournament between two ships can take place, to last two hours. Ship will come right up to Dunedin.” The field gun display and the tugs-of-war will be of interest to many, and the trotting meeting is certain to be strongly supported. The finals of the tug-cf-war and the boxing contests will take place in the Drill Hall, Kensington, at night, when a promenade concert will also be held. Glove contests between members of the crews of warships always provide clever and clean displays of boxing. THE REAR-ADMIRAL’S CAREER. Rear-Admiral John Sanmarez Dumaresq, A.D.C., C. 8., M.V.0., fleet commander of the Australian navy, flies his flag aboard H.M.A.S. Melbourne. He was appointed to his present position on March 22, 1919, with the rank of captain (commodore, Ist class), and promoted rear-admiral in H.M. fleet while holding his present appointment on June 15, 1921. Rear-Admiral Dumaresq, who was torn at Glen Innes, New South Wales, in 1873, is described as an officer of the highest attainments, who has invented and introduced into the Royal Navy, which he entered in 1886, several of the most important instruments connected yvith fire control, lie was formerly a torpedo specialist. Ho has had a very considerable experience in command of capital ships of the navy, including H.M.S. Shannon in the battle of Jutland. For his work in this engagement, he was made a Companion of the Order of the Bath. After Jutland, he expressed a desire to gain experience in light cruiser warfare, and at his request was appointed to H.M.A.S. Sydney, which he commanded for nearly two years. In the meantime, he was promited by the Admiralty to be second in command of the light cruiser Succeed, and during the absence of the flag officer he held command. While H.M.A.S. Sydney was being refitted Rear-Admiral Duinaresq took command of 11.M.5. Repulse (25.759 tons, 10 15in guns), one rf the latest and largest of the battle cruisers, then flying the flag of Rear-Ad-miral Phillimore. While in command of H.M.S. Repulse, he took part in the battle of Heligoland in November, 1917, one of the most successful minor actions in the North Sea. COMMANDER OF THE WARSHIP. Commander W. Ward-Hunt. R.N., D. 5.0.. who is in command of the Melbourne, has been lent to the Australian navy, but he is shortly to join the China squadron. After the bailie of Jutland, he commanded British end French submarine flotillas in the Mediterranean Sea, and for his services lie received the French decoration, the Chevalie legion d’honneur with rosette..