FAREWELL TO ACHILLES

Chronicle (Levin), 13 September 1946, Page 8

FAREWELL TO ACHILLES

(Speeial Correspoudcnt.)

LONDON, Sept. n. New Zealand 's last farewell* and gratel'ul tributes to the cruiser Achilles were said yestenlay at Sheerness, when the High Comniissioner (Mr. .lordan) paid a special visit to the cruiser mark her paying off and Ihe severance of lier liistoric association witli the Royal New Zealand Navy. "This ship in its way means as much to New Zealand as tlie Victory means to Britain," said Mr. Jordan, addressing the ship's companv assembled on the quarterdeck. "I hope that, when she has finished her service, use may still be found for her in New Zealand, so that she may end "her time there.'7 Mr. Jordan emphasised the pride tlie people of New Zealand felt in the Achilles and lier war record, and said that, altjiough many of the young New Zealanders serving in her were new to Britain, they could be sure of a wel come, both ' for tlieniselves as New Zealanders and for tlie tradition their ship represented. In the same way, any of the Imperial members of the ship's company who returned to New Zealand could '%jxsrive, Qf 'a w.elc.oirie., ■; ^ • •>' Bonfixii on, Mr. Jordan' continued, saiv- the departure ot the Achilles from the New Zealand Navy with deep regret, and even now hoped that a way might be found eventually to return her to New Zealand. At the cal-1 of the officer commanding, Captain W. F. Banks, three lusty naval clieers were given for ]\Ir. Jordan. Tlie High Comniissioner, who was accompanied by Mr. 8. It. Skinner, New Zealand naval affairs officer in. London,' lunched with Captain and Mrs. Banks and the senior oflicers, and thencarried out an informal inspection of the lower deek, where he spent a considerable time tallcing with the men. B5efore leaving Sheerness, Mr. Jordan reeeived permission from the Officer Commanding tlie Nore (Admiral Sir 11. M. Burrough) to ask Captain Banks to order the splicing of the mainbrace on the Achilles.