TAKING OVER THE PHILOMEL

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2114, 3 April 1914, Page 7

TAKING OVER THE PHILOMEL

' 'IN THREE MONTHS' TIME. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) Auckland, April 2. The Minister of Defence (Hon. Jas. 'Allen) states that it is probablo tha.t tho Government will be in a position to take over tho cruiser Philomel (which is to bo used as the Dominion trainingship) from the Imperial Government in about three months', time.- As soon as the new commander of tho Philomel ((whose appointment: has not yet been announced by .the Admiralty) arrives in New Zealand, those who desire to tako up a course of training will he notified. The commander of the Philomel will act as naval adviser to ; tho Now Zealand Government. The method of training for those who desire to join .as midshipmen will probably be a route to the Australian Naval Collego. Tho Present- means of entering tho Royal Navy will bo continued. The provision for cadetships at Osborne and Dartmouth for New Zealandors will also' be continued.

- Mr. Allen emphasised tho fact that the expenditure upon the Philomel will iiot be an increaso to our yearly Defence Bill, as the amount so expended will be dpducted from tho annual subsidy paid to the Admiralty. , Mr. Allen said that he had nothing further to add regarding tho Government's naval policy beyond what the Prime Ministor had already stated iti recent speeches. ,He (Mr, Allen) would also deal with ,the quostion in tho course of speeches in his constituency during tho present month.

,Tho four-year-old maro Sister Radius, by, Cli'irlemagno ll—St. .Regis, impressed a number of sportsmen by the style in which' sl{o disposed of Sauci in the Hazlett Memorial Stakes at. the autumn meeting of tho Dunedin Jockey Club. She_ was subsequently shipped; ito Australia, and her admirers becamo impressed with her prospects in tho Doncaster Handicap, tho big milo race at the A.J.C. Easter fixture. It is now reported that Sister Radius has wrenched a knee, as a result of getting cast in her box. If this is correct, she is unlikely to race in Australia, but sho will probably remain there till the spring, nnd bo mated with an imported stallion before returning to Now Zealand.