ACHILLES IN PORT

Press, Volume LXXXII, Issue 24910, 25 June 1946, Page 6

ACHILLES IN PORT

FINAL VISIT TO LYTTELTON

CRUISER TO PAY OFF SOON

On her final visit before leaving for England, where she will pay off and cease to be a unit of H.M. New Zealand Navy, the cruiser Achilles berthed atLyttelton at 8 a.m. yesterday. An overcast sky with frequent showers of heavy drizzle made the day uninviting to the visitors, but the rain ceased during the morning. The purpose of the ship’s tour is to allow the people of New Zealand an opportunity of seeing the cruiser, which played so important a part in naval history during the war, for the last time and to take farewell of the vessel’s personnel which includes many New Zealand ratings. For this purpose the Achilles left Auckland for Dunedin at which port she was present during the Winter Show. She then proceeded to Bluff, Stewart Island, and Milford Sound. Stormy weather prevented her from visiting other sounds. The next port of call was Picton, then New Plymouth, Nelson, and Lyttelton. The cruiser is to leave Lyttelton at 9 a.m. on Friday for Timaru, thence Wellington, Napier, and Auckland. The cruiser will take her final departure from Auckland on July 17 for England where she is to arrive on September 12.

After payjng off the Achilles the crew will bring, out the Diadem, a Dido class cruiser similar to the Black Prince, to the New Zealand station. Parade Through City This morning, officers and ratings from the Achilles will march through the city, starting from the railway station, at 9.45 a.m. The route will be: Manchester street, High street. Cashel street, over the Bridge of Remembrance, Cambridge terrace, Worcester street, North-west Cathedral square, Colombo street, Gloucester street, Manchester street, and Worcester street. About 10.15 a.m. the salute will be taken outside the City Council buildings in Manchester street by Brigadier E. T. Rowllings, who will be accomSanied at the saluting base by Captain tanks. The parade will disperse in Worcester street, where transport will be provided to carry the men back to the railway station. The Officers Captain W. E. Banks. C.8.E.. D.S.C., R.N., is in command of the Achilles. He joined the ship earlier this year, having previously been commander of a submarine base in Great Britain. His officers are: Acting-Commander H. B. C. Holmes, R.N., Lieutenant-Com-mander H. Winter, R.N., Lieutenant C. P. Ross. R.N., Lieutenant S. E. Pritch- ' ard. R.N., Lieutenant J. P. Tulloch. R.N.Z.N., Lieutenant W. S. Crawford R.N., Lieutenant J. M. Armstrong, R.N.Z.N., Lieutenant I. G. Carr, Sub-Lieutenant J. P. Davis, R.N.V.R., Sub-Lieutenant R. G. Wood, Captain P. K. R. Lankester, R.M., Lieutenant L. M. Hadley, R.N., Lieutenant T. E. Hale, R.N.Z.N.V.R., Commander CE) J. A. Blockley, R.N., Lieutenant A. H. Topham, R.N., Lieutenant W. H. Gregory, R.N., Sub-Lieutenant T. A. Spencer, R.N., Sub-Lieutenant A. N. Britten, R.N., Acting-Sub-Lieutenant A. D. Williams. R.N.V.R., Acting-Surgeon Lieutenant-Commander R. J. Walton. R.N.Z.N.V.R., Surgeon-Lieutenant K. D. Plowman, R.N.Z.N.V.R., Acting-Com-mander (S) K. R. Buck, V.D., R.N.Z.N.V.R.. Lieutenant L. L. Montgomery. R.N.Z.N.V.R.. Chaplain C. G. J. Evans. R.N., Messrs E. J. Watts. D.S.C., R.N.. J. P. Bordis, R.N., T. A. Simpson, R.N.Z.N., G. W. Shorter, R.N.,= F. G. Mabbatt. R.N., S. J. F Hermans, R.N.Z.N

Entertainments Arranged A very full programme of entertainments has been arranged for the ship’s personnel during the stay of the vessel at Lyttelton. These include a dance for the ship’s company last night at the Wentworth, a smoke-concert to-night at the Wentworth, also a social and arranged by the . Christchurch Royal Navy Association, a Rugby football match on Wednesday at 1.30 p.m. between teams representing the ship and Lincoln College at Lincoln, also at 8 p.m.. a ball arranged by the Navy League for the commander and officers.

From one half to three-quarters of the ship’s company will be granted leave each afternoon and evening, the number depending upon the accommodation available for the men ashore. The Union Jack Club, which has reopened for the occasion, is providing beds for 250 men each night. The Achilles will be open to the public to-day and to-morrow from 1 p.m. till 4.30 p.m. On Thursday the ship will be open to school children and sea cadets during the same hours.