FIRST FIGHTING SHIP BUILT IN N.Z.

Southland Times, Issue 24862, 30 September 1942, Page 5

FIRST FIGHTING SHIP BUILT IN N.Z.

Launching At Auckland (PA.) AUCKLAND, September 29. The first fighting vessel to be built in a. New Zealand shipyard was launched today with an Impressive ceremony and was christened in the traditional manner by Miss Pat Coates, a daughter of the Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates. The vessel slid Into the sunlit waters a picture of trim efficiency. Before the launching the keel of a similar vessel was laid and still another is well on towards completion on the stocks. The vessel is of the Fairmile type and it will join the Royal New Zealand Navy for activities oft the New Zealand coast. The ’main contractor for the construction of the vessel. Mr Roy Lidgard, said today that although the standard time for the production of these vessels was given as 40,000 working hours, this had been built in 30.000 working hours.

Present at the ceremony were representatives of the fighting services and of local bodies. The speakers were the Minister for War Co-ordination (Mr Coates), the chairman of the Harbour Board (Mr Hendry Luke) and the Mayor of Auckland (Mr J. A. C. Allum). “Her job will be to sort out and destroy underwater vessels." said Mr Coates, speaking for the Government. Mr Coates said we had men In this country capable and competent and with tho will to turn out work that compared favourably with that done anywhere. The adverse factors of our small size and lack of equipment could act as a spur to aU of us in the task of war production. He urged New Zealanders to give thought to the danger that threatened and said It was no time to aUow political or personal feelings to Interfere with our task The little vessel that now rode on Auckland harbour must be a symbol of our determination. With her launching another bar was placed in the enemy’s way. "Split up we can’t do it; together we can; We will not be defeated. We will defeat tho enemy and we will destroy him." added Mr Coates.