H.M.S. DIOMEDE

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18256, 27 November 1933, Page 6

H.M.S. DIOMEDE

CRUISER AT GISBORNE ANOTHER NAVAL OCCASION WIDESPREAD INTEREST The prospect of seeing another naval vessel in the roadstead for an extended visit is one of the major topics of the town, and especially among the, children who have had few opportunities of visiting a really up-to-date warship, the arrival of 11.M.5. Diomede in the port will bo welcomed as an outstanding event. The cruiser is due to-morrow at 9.45 a.m. from Port Fitzroy, Great Barrier, in the course of a summer cruise of the New Zealand coasts, and will stay in the roadstead until Monday, December 4. on which date she will proceed south.

Visitors will lie welcomed to the cruiser daily, between 4.15 and 6.15 p.m., except on SatuYday and Sunday, when the ship will he open to visitors from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Special efforts are being made to ensure that every child has "an opportunity of seeing the Diomede, and school-children under the charge of their teachers will be transported free of charge aboard tlie Harbor Hoard's launch Takitimu, while the public will lie catered for by the Lightering 'Company’s vessels. It should bo noted by those intending to visit the Diomede Unit the launch jetty along the. diversion wall, near the No 1 wharf, is to bo reserved for the embaL'kaitJiq'n of school children in charge ctf their teachers, and that other visitors to the cruiser will he embarked from the No 4 wharf, at the stepp near the wa'tcrsklers’ accommodation. On each trip, the launch Takitimu will carry a party of 40, including teachers, and arrangements are in the hands of the harbormaster, Captain A. Carson, for the assembly ot parties at stated intervals. By keeping to the arrangements made, school-children will bo afforded an opportunity of seeing the cruiser without cost, and the cooperation of the teachers in the town and suburban schools lias been promised. Everything possible is being done to ensure that no mishap should be associated with the visit of the Diomede to Gisborne, and the public is requested to give, its support and compliance to the rules made to this end. The officers and crew of the Diomede will he welcomed by the chairman of the Harbor Board. Mr. J. Tombleson, and the Mayor, Air. John Jackson, With other local body representatives, in the same manner as were the officers and men of the sloop Laburnum. Captain Cosmo Graham, who commands tlio cruiser, will lie asked to pass a programme of public and private entertainment offered to the complement of the vessel, and the local bodies will place at his disposal the various facilities likely to bo of use to the vessel or to individual members of her complement. The programme of entertainment, as drawn up by the Gisborne Publicity League, includes a welcome dance tomorrow evening, a. flood-light amateur sports meeting and a smoke concert tomorrow evening; the professional athletic club’s meeting at the Victoria, Domain and. a river carnival on Thursday afternoon; an athletic, club dance anil a beach gala, at Waikanae. on Thursday evening; a concert in the Opera House on Friday evening; cricket and shooting matches on Saturday, and motor trips for ratings on Sunday afternoon. The Publicity League has received general support in the arrangement of its programme, and each of the functions named should enjoy good patronage.