OFFICERS AND MEN OF DELHI AND ADELAIDE ARE WELCOMED TO CANTERBURY.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17780, 25 February 1926, Page 7

OFFICERS AND MEN OF DELHI AND ADELAIDE ARE WELCOMED TO CANTERBURY.

The Australian light cruisers. Adelaide and Delhi, arrived at Lyttelton this morning at 7 o'clock and were berthed at the Gladstone Pier. They had a fine run across the Tasman Sea from Hobart.

The weather when the vessels were sighted from Adder-ley Heads at 5 a.m. was threatening, but as the warships proceeded slowly up the harbour conditions brightened, and by the time the Adelaide was inside the moles there was bright sunshine. The harbourmaster (Captain T. M. Hunter) -went out in the tug Lyttelton to meet the Adelaide, and took charge until she was berthed. Later Captain Crawford berthed the Delhi abreast of the Adelaide. With the exception of Captain A. B. Williams, representing the Commanding Officer of the Southern Command, and a few Lyttelton residents, there were very few people about, due no doubt to the early hour of arrival.

he felt, judging from the programme arranged for their visit, that their stay would be very pleasant indeed. LIST OF OFFICERS. The following is a list of officers:— 11.M.A.5. Adelaide. Captain G. 11. Massing, R.N., Commander J. R. M. Johnson, R.N., Lieutenant P. F. R. Garside, R.N., Lieuten-ant-Commander R. W. Hore, R.N., Engineer-Commander S. ITocken, R.N., Lieutenant N. F. Gilling, R.A.N., Surgeon Lieutenant-Commander J. M, Henderson, R.A.N., Pay LieutenantCommander J. 11. Lane, R.N., Pay Lieutenant W. E. M’Loughlin, R.A.N., Lieutenant T. A. Godsell, Lieutenant N. E. Tozer, R.A.N., Instruction Lieutenant G. Lucas, R.A.N., Engineer Lieutenant A. D. Cairns, R.A.N., Cornmiss. Shipwright W. White. R.A.N., Commiss. Boatswain H. Ilaberfield, R.A.N., Commiss. Gunner 11. P. Jarrett, R.A.N., Warrant Telegraphist A. D. M’Lachlan, R.A.N., Gunner T. A. Geer, Warrant Engineer IT. Lumb, Schoolmaster B. Flood. H.M.A.S. Delhi. Captain Manners, Commander Moore, Engineer Commander Carlisle, Paymaster Comm. Colles, Lieutenant-Com-mander R. Helpman, Lieutenant-Com-mander Brembridge, Lieutenant-Com-mander Reid, Surgeon Lieutenant-Com-mander Crawford, Lieutenant Micklcthwait. Lieutenant Drawlurlge, Lieutenant Clegg, Lieutenant Hill, Engineer Lieutenant Easterbrook, Paymaster Sub-Lieutenant Pa fiord, Commiss. Gunner T. Drew, Commiss. Gunner G. Gale, Gunner Smith, Commiss. Shipwright Mitchell, Warrant Engineer Hudson; Warrant Engineer Northcote, Midshipmen Long, Rawnslev, Thew, Richards, Moseley. Norfolk,' Midshipman Clarke, R.A.N.

It was evident from appearance that some of the bluejackets felt the cold, for many of them wore overcoats. By 8.15 both ships had been made fast, and members of the crew’ eagerly bought the newspapers to look for information regarding the bush fires in Australia.

Th flagship Sydney, with the Adelaide and the Delhi, left Sydney on January 27 for Jervois Bay, where gun and torpedo practice- was carried out during a stay of ten days. The fleet then left, for Hobart. At Hobart musketry instruction was given during a stay which lasted a fortnight. The three ships made their departure front Tasmania on Saturday morning last. The Adelaide and the Delhi had a fine run across the Tasman Sea from Hobart. A following wind was experienced. A FEW DETAILS. If.M AS. Adelaide was built at the Cockatoo Navy Yard, in Sydney, in 1915, and cost £1,271,752. Her displacement is 5560 tons, and her complement -167 officers and men. She carries nine Gin guns, one 3in aircraft gun, four 3-pounders, two M.G., and eight Lewis guns, 4 and two torpedo tubes. H.M.A.S. Delhi was built at Elswick

by 'the firm of Armstrong, and completed in June, 1922. She belongs to the “D” class, and has a displacement of 4750 tons. Her complement is 462 officers and men. Her guns include six 6in, three 4in anti-aircraft guns, four 3-pounders, two M.G., eight Lewis guns and twelve 21 in torpedo tubes. She has a speed of 29 knots, burning oil fuel only.

The Adelaide’s men. with the exception of a number of officers and about a dozen other ratings, are Australian. The Delhi crew are Imperial men. A number of them visited Lyttelton in the Delhi when she was here with the Special Service Squadron. On the Adelaide are a number of petty officers who have previously visited Lyttelton in the Melbourne. They took part in the rescuing of the 11. B. ingThe Adelaide is credited with being a crack athletic ship. She holds a number of valuable trophies. She has also a band and jazz orchestra. The Delhi also possesses a good band. AN OFFICIAL CALL. At 9.30 a.m. an official call was paid hy the Mayor of Lyttelton (Mr F. E. Sutton) and the Mayor of Christchurch (the Rev J. K. Archer). They were accompanied by Mr Cyrus Williams, secretary of the Lyttelton Harbour Board, Mr W. T. Lester, member of the Harbour Board; the Town Clerk of Lyttelton (Mr F. Hobbs) ; the Town Clerk of Christchurch (Mr J. S. Neville) : Mr J. J. Dougall, Lieut.-Command-er Boyle, and Mr C. J. Treleaven, representing the Navy League, and Dir W. G. Leadley. Mr Cyrus Williams, on behalf of the Lyttelton Harbour Board, extended a welcome to the officers and crew of the Adelaide and Delhi and offered them the use of the port facilities during their stay in Lyttelton.

Mr F. E. Sutton, Mayor of Lyttelton, welcomed the visitors to the town and expressed the hope that their stay in Lyttelton would be a pleasant and enjoyable one.

The Mayor of Christchurch (Mr J. K. Archer) on behalf of the citizens of Christchurch, welcomed the visitors. He stated that he would be pleased to show them the largest city in the South Island where “ We shall endeavour to make your stay as pleasant as possible.”

Mr J. J. DougaU, president of the Navy League, also extended a welcome. He stated that the reason for forestalling the others was probably due to their connection with the Navy.

Commander Massey, in returning thanks, stated that he was pleased to have had the opportunity of visiting New Zealand during his term with the Australian Navy. He was particularlv pleased to visit the South Island, and