THE BRITISH FLEET.

Hokitika Guardian, 19 May 1924, Page 1

THE BRITISH FLEET.

FLEET DEPARTS. A SILENT LEAVE TAKING. nv TELEGRAPH —I’HKSS ASSN., COPYRIGHT. AUCKLAND, May IS The British .squadron sailed just before daylight this morning. There was only a small crowd to see the v;:i.>hips depart. Ihe Delhi led the w*ay, followed by the. Datum, the Dauntless, ami the Dragon, next came the Repulse with the Hood last. It was a unique spenaele as the warships sped down the harbour in silence and without demonstration ol any kind.

The departin'" of the six vessels took exactly halt an hour. Considerable diliienlty was experienced in getting the. men who had been stranded in the city during Friday night, out to their ships en Saturday. There was a very heavy sea running, and the pinnaces lowing open boats had a rough time. Altogether one thousand men had to he conveyed out to the warships in tho harbour.

in a farewell message to the Gov-ernor-General and the Prime 'Minister, Admiral Field says:—That they leave New Zealand after a visit replete with happy memories, in the knowledge of having made many friends, whom they look forward one day lo meeting again.

In his special message to the Gov-ernor-General. Admiral Field says that all that they had hoard of the great natural beauties of New Zealand and its unrivalled facilities, for sport, have been more than realised, and they can never be sullieicntly grateful to tin? Dominion Government in providing siielt numerous opportunities for the nUleers ami men to visit the eountry, and many of Die most beautiful fontii res of Die Dominion. They hope one good ell’eet achieved by the visit will be to make the possibilities held out to British settlers better known.