IMPERIAL RATINGS

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 97, 18 January 1935, Page 11

IMPERIAL RATINGS

Draft of 150 Returning to England REFIT OF H.M.S. DUNEDIN Dominion Special Service. Auckland, January 17. After nearly three years on the New Zealand station, a large draft of naval ratings from H.M.S. Dunedin will leave Auckland by the Rangitatn to-morrow evening on their return to England. The Dunedin, the flagship of RearAdmiral Burges Watson, has now withdrawn for relit, and the 150 Imperial ratings who are returning will not be replaced until the cruiser extends to full commission iu April. The draft will be commanded by Lieutenant-Commander C. D. Arbuthnot. Other officers who are returning with the draft are Surgeon-Commander J. E. Clark, Lieutenant B. Walford, Captain L. Priestley, R.M., Mr. W. Paige and Mr. R. 11. Shipcott, Commissioner Gunners, and Mr. F. J. Charman, warrant engineer. Several of the Imperial ratings who are returning to England will be accompanied by their wives. One of the returning officers said that his commission on the Dunedin had been the happiest of his career. All his fellow-officers hoped to be able to return to New Zealand some time in the future. A number of Imperial petty officers and ratings are being reclined in the Dunedin for special duties in connection with the refit. The remaining officers will return to England at varying dates before the cruiser extends to full commwsion.