SHIFTING THE BASE.

West Coast Times, 22 June 1912, Page 4

SHIFTING THE BASE.

FOE, WARSHIPS.

SORTING OUT AUCKLAND SITES,

[PER PRESS ASSOCIATION. —COPYRIGHT.]

AUCKLAND, June 17,

Captain Rolleston, R..N., captain in charge of the naval establishment in Sydney, arrived in Auckland this afternoon from Rotorua, after a visit to the chief centres in the south in connection with Admiralty business.

Captain Rolleston stated to a “Herald” representative that the separation of tho squadrons, as far as Now Zealand and Australia were concerned, would take place on April Ist of next year. On that date tho Commonwealth Government will take over tho Naval establishment in Sydney from tho Admiralty, and Auckland will bo the naval base -for New Zealand for a portion of the China Squadron, which will consist of two second-class cruisers, three destroyers, and two submarines. Tin Squadron, however, will he under the supremo command of the Comman-dor-in-Chief on the China station. “I am here,” said Captain Rolleston, "to arrange for storing in connection with the New Zealand Squadron. Auckland will be the headquarters, and there will probably bo- a storehouse established on tho Admiralty reserve, near tho Calliope Dock, for naval and victualling stores. Ammunition will probably bo stored in the Defence Department’s property, near tho North Head. A considerable stock of coal, probably about 3000 tons, will 1)0 stored at Auckland, and also a small quantity of oil fuel and petrol. Subbases for fuel only will probably be established at Wellington, Lyttelton and Dunedin.”

Captain Rollcston explained that ho has prepared reports suggesting sites in tlie three southern centres, and wculd also prepare reports on suggested sites in Auckland. The reports, would, of course, have to be submitted to the Admiralty before being definitely approved. Ho pointed out that the Admiralty were already paying a subsidy to the Auckland Harbour Board for the right to use the reserve at the Calliope Dock. The fact that a Naval Squadron is to bo quartered in New Zealand is likely to give a fillip to the oil industry in the Dominion, as a quantity of oil fuel is used on several of the vessels of the squadron. Captain Rolleston said that the Admiralty wore very anxious to got a guarantee supply of oil fuel and petrol in New Zealand. IJo had made- Simplifies with this object in view, but a sufficient supply could not be guaranteed at present. As soon, however, as New Zealand is able to guarantee sufficient supplies, the Admiralty will be regular purchasers, provided that the price is reasonable. In the meantime, oil would have to be imported to meet requirements, h'rom inquiries winch he had made, he thought it possible that in the near future the Dominion would he able to guarantee a full supply of oil for Admiralty purposes. Ho stated that the cruisers each burn 300 tons of oil fuel per year, while 5000 gallons of petrol oacb per year was consumed In the submarines.

Colonel Johnston, Director of Artillery in New Zealand, will arrive from Wellington to-morrow morning by the Main Trunk express. In company with Captain Bolleston, he will visit the proposed site, for the ammunition stores

at North Hoad. Captain Rollcstn will return to Sydney next Monday.