CRUISER ON WAY TO N.Z.

Southland Times, Issue 24057, 22 February 1940, Page 6

CRUISER ON WAY TO N.Z.

ACHILLES EXPECTED ON FRIDAY TO BERTH AT SEVEN IN MORNING PROGRAMME OF WELCOME ARRANGED (United Press Association) AUCKLAND, February 21. The Achilles is expected to arrive at Auckland and will berth at Central Wharf at 7 o’clock on Friday morning. This was officially announced by the Prime Minister (the Rt. Hon. M. J. Savage) tonight. As the cruiser enters Rangitoto channel she will be greeted by soldiers on duty at the forts and at Narrow Neck and will be escorted up the harbour by most of Auckland’s fleet of pleasure boats. She will move slowly past the Naval Base to receive the greetings of the naval officers and ratings there and will then proceed to her berth. Although no official announcement has been made, it is expected that the ferry boats and most of the shipping in the ports will sound their sirens and that the city factory whistles will also /join in the vociferous welcome, thus following the precedent of the Great War, when returning troop ships were similarly greeted. A very full programme awaits Captain W. E. Parry, C. 8., and the crew of the Achilles, on this, their first homecoming since the outbreak of the war. The first official greeting and felicitations on the prowess displayed by the ship in the fight against the Admiral Graf Spee will be tendered by the Governor-General (Viscount Galway), who will make a call on Captain Parryshortly after the cruiser berths, with Ministers of the Crown, and it is expected that some of the civic dignitaries will also make calls before the victory march to the civic reception at the Town Hall. Ministers who are coming to Auckland for the celebrations are the Deputy-Prime Minister (the Hon. P. Fraser), the Minister of Defence (the Hon. F. Jones), the Attorney-General (the Hon. H. G. R. Mason), the Minister of Supply (the Hon. D. G. Sullivan) and the Leader of the Legislative Council (the Hon. D. Wilson). Other distinguished visitors will be Sir Harry Batterbee, High Commissioner for the United Kingdom in New Zealand, and the French Consul (M. Andre Pouquet), who will be accompanied by Madame Pouquet. M. Pouquet will be one of the speakers at the civic reception. BIG RUSH FOR TICKETS AT AUCKLAND ADMISSION TO WHARF WHEN ACHILLES ARRIVES (United Press Association) AUCKLAND, February 21. There was a big rush today for next-of-kin tickets for admission to the reserved Central Wharf when H.M.S. Achilles arrives. Last night the Mayor (Sir Ernest Davis) sent 350 telegrams to the immediate next-of-kin and replies are coming to hand from all parts of the Dominion, indicating attendance. Extensive decorations have been arranged in the city and on the harbour including flags and bunting on Achilles Point flying Nelson’s famous signal. The primary and secondary schools will close and the Magistrate’s Court will hold the briefest session. Most workers will be given a part-holiday and it is expected that the city will be thronged with a record crowd. Pleasure craft will meet the Achilles as she approaches the harbour.