H.M.S. DUNEDIN

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 90, 10 January 1935, Page 10

H.M.S. DUNEDIN

Refitting - at Naval Base EXPENDITURE OF £16,000 Commenting on the news published in "The Dominion” yesterday concerning the biennial refit of II M.S. Dunedin at, Devonport Naval Bate. where over 200 Auckland workmen will be employed from time to time for about three months, the Minister of Defence, the Hon. J. G. Cobbe, said mere was provision in the current year's estimates for the expenditure of £16,803 on the work of refitting the Flagship of file New Zealand Division of lhe Royal Navy, which is to be recommissioned in April. The Minister explained that the refitting of H.M.S. Diomede at the naval base in Auckland last year had been so successful that it was decide'd to have the Flagship refitted there also. In the past it had been the practice to send the warships Home for refitting and the men who had completed "their services on the New Zealand station would, of course, return Home by the vessel. "It was discovered,” remarked Mr. Cobbe, “that paying the passages of the men returning Home would just about balance with the cost of keeping the vessel in New Zealand for refitting.”