CHANGE OF COMMODORES

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 749, 23 August 1929, Page 1

CHANGE OF COMMODORES

CAPTAIN G. BLAKE TO TAKE COMMAND WARSHIPS’ ITINERARY H.M.S. Dunedin, which has returned to Auckland after an absence of more than two and a-half months, leaves again on September 3 for Wellington, where she will be joined by H.M.S. Diomede. At Wellington Captain G. T. P. Swabey will relinquish command of the New Zealand Division of the Royal Navy, being succeeded by Captain G. Blake, who will arrive in Wellington from England with his family on September 6. The Dunedin leaves Wellington on September 18 for Auckland, where she Is due two days later. On September 30 the warship will leave on a cruise to he arranged by the new commodore. Due at Auckland on September 9, from Wellington, H.M.S. Diomede will be docked at Devonport from September 17 to September 24. Transfers of ratings will be carried out while the two cruisers are at Auckland. About 200, or about half, of the Dunedin’s crew, including 19 officers, who have completed two years’ service on the New Zealand station, will transfer to the Diomede, which is expected to leave for England early in October for a long refit. A similar number from the Diomede who have yet to complete their service here will change over to the flagship for the remainder of their term. Only about four of the Dunedin’s present complement of officers will remain on the vessel. _