NAVAL VISITORS

Hokitika Guardian, 8 January 1926, Page 1

NAVAL VISITORS

FRENCH AND JAPANESE. WELLINGTON, Jan. 6. From u naval point of view New Zealand will have a fairly busy time of it for tbe next month or so. Latest official advices are to the effect that a French sloop will make its appearance in Dominion waters on January 21. A Japanese training ship is due to arrive oil February 18, and a few days later a visit from three units of tho Austalinn fleet will commence.

According to a message which came to hand to-day, the French sloop, Cassiopee, under command of Captaine de Frigate Deecux, will arrive at Dunedin from Tahiti on January 21, and remain at the southern port until February 3, after which she will proceed to Lyttelton, staying there until February 7. The sloop will then, visit Wellington, and on February 12 will leave for Auckland and remain at the northern port from February 15 to March 1. On the occasion of the visit of Tf.M.S. Chatham and other New Zealand vessels to Tahiti, the French Government extended every courtesy to the commander, officers and men, and it is hoped that local authorities and other parties interested will co-operate with tho Government is making the stay of the visitors one to be remembered. The usual facilities will he made available to the visitors.

The Japanese training skip fwate. with -100 of all rankings on board, is expected to reach Wellington on February 18. She will leave for Auckland on February 23, and clear that port on March 3.

The vessel is under the command of Captain Yuriiclii Ednliara, who graduated with distinction from the naval college at Tokio. After the .ship’s arrival, he will pay the usual courtesy calls on the Prime Minister, Ministers of Llie Crown, tile .Mayor of Wellington, the chairman of the Harbour Board, the naval commander, and general officer commanding the New Zealand forces.

Captain Ednliarn. is particularly anxious that the ninety cadets on the Iwnto should have an opportunity of viewing Government, educational, commercial and industrial institutions for educational purposes, anil arraiignioiits are being made to meet his wishes in this direction. In addition, railway facilities will be placed at the disposal of the visitors, and the Government, will extend an invitation to the captain and his staff officers to he the guests at Rotorua oil a three days’ trip. Arrangements arc also to he made for a one-day trip to the thermal district for ICO officers and men. That party will leave Auckland by train early in the morning, arrive at Rotorua in time for lunch, and leave on the return journey to Auckland at 10.30 p.m.

Quite an historic interest attaches to the Twate by reason of her performance during the Russo-Japanese War. Tho vessel was launched on March 29, 1900, from dockyards in Newcastle, England, and handed over to the Japanese Government on March 18 of the following year. Her displacement is 9770 tons. During the war with Russia, she engaged three of the enemy fleet. including the famous cruiser Rurik. The action was very severe, as the lwate received the enemy’s fire to the extent of seventeen shells. She succeeded, however, in sinking the Rurik, and the two other attackers withdrew. Three units of the Australian fleet—the Adelaide (Commodore Wardle’s flagship). Sydney and Delhi, will also he in New Zealand waters next month,. The Sydney is expected to reach Dunedin on February 2-1, and will remain Llierc until I'cbruary 28, while the Adelaide and Delhi will visit Lyttelton from February 25 In March I. All the vessels will he in Wellington from March 2 until March 0, and in Auckland district from March 8 to March 24. Between March S and March 15 it is understood liial target practice bet.ween the Australiau and New Zealand ships will he carried out on I lie coast soinov. heie in the vicinity of Auckland.