H.M.S. LEITH

Southland Times, Issue 22492, 29 January 1935, Page 5

H.M.S. LEITH

VISIT TO BLUFF. ARRIVAL TO-DAY. The modern war sloop, H.M.S. Leith, which has replaced H.M.S. Veronica on the New Zealand station, will arrive at Bluff from Dunedin this morning on her first visit to the port. The sloop will remain in port until next Monday, and opportunities will be given members of the public to inspect the vessel on Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday. A full itinerary of entertainment has been arranged in order that the officers and men of H.M.S. Leith may enjoy to the full their stay in the south. It is expected that the following tentative programme will be carried out in its entirety:— To-day.—lQ a.m.:Official calls. 12.30 p.m.: Luncheon tendered by Invercargill Rotary Club. To-morrow.—Boat open for inspection in the afternoon. Cricket match in Invercargill in the afternoon, 2 p.m. Queen’s Park.

Thursday.—Swimming carnival at Invercargill Municipal Baths in the evening. Dance at Bluff in the evening.

Friday.—6 p.m., cricket match at Bluff.

Saturday.—Boat open for inspection in the afternoon.

Sunday.—Morning: Church parade at Bluff. Boat open for inspection in the afternoon.

Monday.—Ship departs. If possible arrangements will be made for tennis and cricket facilities to be available at the Bluff during the stay of the ship. The Invercargill and Queen’s Park Golf Clubs have arranged for the officers to play golf on their links, while tennis has been arranged by the Invercargill Tennis Club, and officers with a keenness for angling will be catered for by the Southland Acclimatization Society. The officers will also probably visit social clubs in the city, while the men will be admitted free to the theatres through the courtesy of the proprietors. The tepid baths and the trams will also be available free. The acting Town Clerk (Mr J. H. Leigh) has received the following reply from Captain O. Bevir with reference to the itinerary:—

“Thank you very much for your letter dated January 25, enclosing copies of the tentative programme for the visit of H.M.S. Leith to Bluff. Please convey to his Worship the Mayor the thanks of all officers and men for taking so much trouble in arranging the programme which will, I feel sure, be thoroughly enjoyable and add considerably to the pleasure of our stay at Bluff. I shall be very glad to arrange for my ship to be open to the general public on the afternoons of Wednesday, January 30, Saturday, February 2, and Sunday, February 3, between 2 p.m. and 6 p.m.”