CRUISER’S VISIT TO BLUFF

Southland Times, Issue 23335, 20 October 1937, Page 12

CRUISER’S VISIT TO BLUFF

Leander .Arrives At Port OFFICIAL CALLS PAID AND RETURNED On its first visit to Bluff since its arrival on the New Zealand station three months ago, H.M.S. Leander arrived at the port for a stay of three days yesterday afternoon. The vessel berthed in beautifully fine weather and its arrival was watched with interest by a big number of persons, the cruiser presenting a fine appearance as it proceeded steadily up the harbour and moved smoothly into its berth at the north end of the main wharf. The Leander arrived at Bluff _ with traditional naval punctuality ana was at its berth at 1.30 o’clock. As soon as the ship berthed it was surrounded by a big crowd of spectators, who took particular interest in the modern equipment of the vessel. No visitors, except an official party representing the Bluff Harbour Board, the Bluff Borough Council and the Invercargill City Council, were admitted to the ship yesterday, but the Leander will be open to public inspection this afternoon. The party which paid the official call yesterday afternoon consisted of Mr W. A. Ott, chairman of the Bluff Harbour Board, Mr J. H. Doyle, Mayor of Bluff, Mr John Miller, Mayor of Invercargill, Captain N. B. Haszard, harbourmaster, Mr D. E. S. Mason, engineer, and Mr R. N. Porter, secretary, of the Bluff Harbour Board, Mr H. A. Ferguson, town clerk of Bluff, Mr W. F. Sturman, town clerk of Invercargill, and Lieutenant A. R. Cockerill, D. 5.0., N.Z.S.C., officer in charge of the Southland defence district. CALL RETURNED The party was received on the quarter-deck by Captain J. W. RivettCarnac, D.S.C., who later returned the call at the office of the Bluff Harbour Board. Mr Ott, who presided at the reception, extended a cordial welcome to Captain Rivett-Carnac and his officers on their first visit to Bluff. He said that the people of New Zealand were extremely loyal to Britain and appreciated the protection afforded them by the Royal Navy. They would find the people of Southland were hospitable and that its scenic attractions and weather were pleasant. Mr Doyle said that the people of Bluff looked forward with keen interest to the periodical visits of naval vessels to the port. They were particularly pleased to welcome a cruiser as modern as the Leander and hoped that the officers and members of the crew would enjoy their visit to Southland. Captain Rivett-Carnac returned thanks for the welcome, and expressed appreciation of the programme of entertainment which had been arranged for the officers and crew of his vessel. Captain Rivett-Carnac will return the call of the Mayor of Invercargill this morning. Captain Rivett-Carnac has associated with him Commander H. V. P. McClintock, Lieutenant-Commander C. W. M. Vereker, Lieutenant-Commander D. E. W. Logan, Lieutenants R. J. Bailey, C. C. B. Mackenzie, G. W. R. Nicholl, J. F. Thompson, C. C. M. Scott, EngineerCommander F. W. Jones, Lieutenants (E) B. U. Alcock and P. E. Cloete, Captain of Royal Marines V. H. Deane, Chaplain the Rev. C. B. Ellis, SurgeonCommander J. J. Keevil, PaymasterCommander G. L. O. Davis, PaymasterLieutenant H. P. Marrs, Sub-Lieuten-ant T. W. Best, Paymaster-Sub-Lieu-tenant C. D. Price, CommissionedGunner (T) E. Savage, Commissioned-

Gunners A. J. Harvey and F. R. Pease, Warrant Engineer W. R. Corner, V. E. Bull, T. G. E. Hallin, Warrant Electrician A. Barlow, shipwright, Mr J. Culf, and school master, Mr J. E. Holt. In addition to 28 officers, the vessel carries 550 men, of whom about 70 are marines. The Leander carries eight six-inch guns in four turrets, eight four-inch anti-aircraft guns in four mountings, eight 21-inch torpedo tubes in two mountings. She has an approximate tonnage of 7500 tons and has a speed of about 31 knots. After representing the New Zealand Division of the Royal Navy at the Coronation earlier this_ year the vessel came out to New Zea-' land to replace H.M.S. Dunedin. She reached Auckland on August 18, and is now paying her first visit to the southern ports Before leaving England alterations were carried out to. the armament, the four 4in anti-aircraft guns being replaced by four twin mounting guns of the same calibre, these actually providing eight anti-air-craft guns. The four three-pounders were also removed. PROGRAMME FOR VISIT The programme for the remainder of the visit is as follows: — Today—Captain and officers invited to luncheon as guests of Returned Soldiers’ Association at H. and J. Smith’s tea rooms, Invercargill, at 12.30 p.m. Afternoon: Cricket match at Bluff on recreation reserve; cricket match at Invercargill at Queen’s Park at 2 p.m. against a combined Invercargill team. The train leaves Bluff at 12.40 p.m. The ship will be open for inspection in the afternoon. Evening: Pictures at Bluff and Invercargill. Tomorrow.—Morning: Route march in Invercargill; parade to leave railway station at 9 a.m. on arrival of the 8 a.m. train from Bluff; route, railway station via Crescent to Dee street, north along Dee street (west side) to Victoria Avenue, turn back down Dee street (east side), salute soldiers’ memorial en route, turn into Tay street; salute will be taken at Town Hall steps and the parade will proceed to Conon street and return back down Tay street to Town Hall; morning tea will be provided for the men in the Victoria Hall and the officers will be the guests of the Mayor of Invercargill and city councillors at morning tea in the Council Chamber; the parade will reform at the Town Hall and proceed via Tay street and the Crescent to the railway station to return to Bluff by the 11.30 a.m. train. Afternoon: Ship open for inspection. Evening: Swimming carnival at Invercargill Municipal tepid baths, Conon street, under auspices of Murihiku Swimming, Club, special events open to the ship’s company, who will be admitted free to baths. Dance at Bluff in Town Hall; pictures in Invercargill. Friday—Ship departs. After leaving Bluff the Leander will visit Preservation Inlet (Stewart Island), the West Coast Sounds, New Plymouth, Lyttelton and Wellington.