Review at Wellington

Hokitika Guardian, 6 February 1922, Page 3

Review at Wellington

TRIBUTE FROM LORD JELLICOE/

WELLINGTON, Feb. ,i j In connexion with the visit of H.M.A.S. Melbourne, a naval review was held to-day on the Basin Reserve by the Governor-General, Lord Jellicoe. 1 Those parading comprised some 200 men from the flagship. They marched through the principal strees of the city to the Basin Reserve in sparkling sunshine and with an aeroplane flying overhead. His Excellency took the royal salute, which was finely given. As though they were one, 200 glistening bayonets came to the present and the Union Jack was broken out from the masthead at the saluting point. The parade Was then inspected by his after which the company marched past id excellent style. Then followed a field gun display id which the crews showed by the precision find smartness of their movements that their standard of efficiency was in keeping with that of the Royal Nat'y

The company was theri marclifcd forward in, line and addressed by his Excellency: ; ■

“Admiral Dumaresq, officers and men

of H.M.A.S. Melbourne,” said Iris Excellency, “1 want to express to you the pleasure with which I have witnessed this morning the high efficiency of the officers and men of H.M.A.S. Melbourne as representing the Royal Australian Navy. My acquaintance with Australian seamen dates back to more

than 20 years ago, when a Naval Bri-

gade from Australia, and ships from Australia came to help us on the China station, during the Boxer campaign.

It was my privilege during the late war to have a majority of tile ships of the Royal Australian Navy included in my own fleet, and later I bad an opportunity of seeing the ships and their men in their own waters. 11l the years following the war, especially lit the present time when peace appears to he assured, there will be great difficulty in maintaining fn the personnel of the Empire’s navy that high spirit of efficiency which prevailed before and during the war, and the personnel will need all its grit and a high sense of duty to maintain that standard of efficiency. Therefore, as a naval officer I witnessed with the greatest pleasure the fine example set to the ships of the Royal Australian Navy by the officers and men of their flagship because, as you know, the personnel of the fleet takes its example from the personnel of the flagship. It gives me great pleasure to welcome a ship of the Royal j Australian Navy, and ds his Majesty’s representative in the Dominion, I assure you that your visit will do a great deal to cement that comradeship and co-operation which are so necessary in the Empire’s interests between the

naval forces of the Commonwealth of Australia and the Dominion of New Zealand. Your visit has giveli the people of New Zealand especial pleasure, and the best evidence of that is given in the great assemblage we have this morning to see your line display, j Officers and men, I congratulate you , with all ray heart. (Applause). The parade then gave the royal, salute while the hand once more struck j up the National Anthem, and the cere-] ninny, touching and impressive, ended, j The Melbourne left Wellington at 3j p.m. for Lyttelton. i