NAVAL VISIT

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLI, Issue 20335, 6 February 1936, Page 8

NAVAL VISIT

H.M.S. WAKAKURA IN PORT RESERVISTS IN TRAINING H.M.S. Wakakura, the mine sweeper of the New Zealand Station of the Royal Navy, arrived at Timaru from Oamaru yesterday morning and is lying at No. 3 wharf. The vessel, which is under the command of Mr A. Garden, R.N., Commissioned Gunner, with Mr D. E. Wright, R.N.. Gunner (T), as second in command, will leave port again to-day on her return to Oamaru. The ship is carrying 15 ratings of the Otago Division of the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve who are taking a week's cruise in mine sweeping, gunnery and general seamanship as nart of their annual training. The draft is under the command of Lieut .-Commander Swanson, RNI.VR., and Commander Watson (R.NH. ret.) R.N.V.U, Commanding Officer of the Otago Division, is also accompanying the shin on her cruise. The Wakakura left Dunedin at noon last Saturday and steamed to Oamaru which she made her base for mine sweeping exercises. Leaving Oamaru on Tuesday evening to give the ratings experience of night steaming, she arrived off the Eastern Extension about 6 o’clock yesterday morning and anchored to carry out further exercises, entering the harbour about 10.45. The ship will return to Oamaru to-day anti after a stay of a few hours there will fail for Dunedin, the course of training being continued en route.