The Navy Vol_22_Part2 1960 - Navy League of Australia

AUSTRALIAN SEA CADETSIN NEW ZEALANDMonday, 11th January, 1960:Our Contingent came together on this dayat Balmoral Naval Depot. We consisted ot2 officers and 21 cadets. One officer each fromN.S.W. and Victoria. Five cadets were fromN.S.W.. 6 from Victoria, 3 from Queensland,2 from S.A., 3 from Tasmania, and one eachfrom Darwin and Canberra. We were tospend four days in Balmoral, settling in as acontingent, kitting up, sightseeing round Sydneyand a little instruction. At noon onThursday, under the glare of TV lights, HisWorship, the Lord Mayor of Sydney, receivedthe contingent in his rooms at the Town Hall,a gracious gesture much appreciated by thecadets. After this reception, cadets weregranted leave until 1830—the first and onlyleave granted in Sydney."Friday, 15th January:After an early lunch, we made our farewellsto the Staff at Balmoral, and thanked themfor their co-operation before boarding the buswhich took us to T.S.M.V. WANGANELLA.which sailed at 3 p.m. The cadets were wellquartered in most comfortable cabins. Thefarewell was a typical Sydney liner farewell,enlivened on this occasion by 21 lusty voicesbooming out our A U S T R A L I A war cry,followed by "Waltzing Matilda."Saturday, 16th January-Monday, 18th Jan.:Cadets settled in well to ship board life,helping to organise and take part in deckgames, taking tricks at the wheel and. ofcourse. Divisions, and church on Sunday. TheCaptain and 1st Officer and Chief Steward allwere most helpful, and allowed the cadetsmany liberties and privileges not normallyavailable to passengers.Friday, 19th January:The WANGANELLA arrived in Aucklandright on time, and we were met by the NavalBaggage Officer, who looked after all our customsand entry forms, and for his help wewere most grateful. At the wharf were Lieutenant-CommanderMarkwick, CommandingOfficer of Auckland Unit, and Lieutenant-Comir.anderAinslee. K.N.Z.N. Staff Officer ReservesAuckland Division, who accompanied us roundto Admiralty Steps to board an M.L. forMotoihi Island, the site of H.M.N.Z.S.TAMAKI, the R.N.Z.N. New Kntry Trainingestablishment. At TAMAKI we were greetedwith a Haka by the N.Z. cadets (40 in number),10 from each Division; also we met theCanadian cadets (17 in number), and Mr.Deane, Dominion Secretary of the NavyLeague. The cadets had the afternoon free tosettle in.Wednesday, 20th January:The United Kingdom contingent arrived,consisting of 12 U.K. cadets commanded byLieutenant-Commander Boulton. There were4 N.Z. Sea Cadet Lieutenants and 1 R.C.S.C.C.Lieutenant.At noon on this day the opening ceremonyof the camp took place. Present were N.O.C.A.Commodore Burke and 2nd Naval MemberR/Admiral l'hipps. It was most gratifyingto us to learn that R/Admiral Phipps hadserved for several years as a Sea Cadet Officer.Thursday, 21st-Saturday, 30th January:During this period the camp progressed withthe cadets becoming more finely tuned day byday. The undoubted highlights of the campwere the two overnight expeditions, half ofthe lads going to each. TAMAKI has threesailing cutters, which lend themselves admirablyto such expeditions. The first party wentto Rakino Island, the second, due to weatherconditions, went to Waihike—a far more hospitablesite than Rakino. The first expeditionwas led by the U.K., Canadian. Otago andChristchurch officers. A small raiding groupattacked the party during the night. Despiteexpansive stories of havoc wrought, theirefforts were largely abortive, but. nevertheless,provided a colourful highlight. The secondparty was not raided. TAMAKI has only one14-ft. dinghy, so cadet sailing was done inwhalers, hence little opportunity was availablefor cadets to get a chance to coxswain. P.O.McCrath. of Gcelong Unit, was made coxswainfor Australia, and in the regatta held on Saturday.30th. sailed to second position, but havingfailed to make one of the marks, all firstthree boats were disqualified on protest.Ill the Tabloid Athletics. Zoeller, from Brisbane,did very well, getting the 2nd highestindividual point score. Canada, with the highestteam points, took the TAMAKI Trophy.Sunday, 31st January:This was the day of the closing ceremonyand prize giving. Mr. Connelly, Minister ofDefence, inspected Divisions, and took thesalute at the March Past. We were mostpleased that Sir John Collins. Australia HighCommissioner, who was in Auckland to receivethe Governor-Gencral-elect, and Lady Collins,were also able to be present. The cadets ofall contingents acquitted themselves well, andwere greatly praised by all spectators.T' * > *«' ' * 'iAustralian Sea Cadeta photographed at Government House with His Excellency TheGovernor, Sir Eric Woodward, on their return from New Zealand. The Cadets were accompaniedby Rear-Admiral H. A. Showern (Retd.) and Mr. Bodney Brown.Monday, lit February:Farewells, cheers, war cries and "WaltzingMatilda" marked our farewell to TAMAKI.and a subdued reception marked our arrival inH.M.N.Z.S. BLACK PRINCE, a cruiser now inreserve, which is used as an accommodationship. That afternoon cadets were given leavein Auckland.Tuesday, 2nd February:During the forenoon the cadets inspectedDevonport Dockyard and then after lunchproceeded to Auckland, where thev were receivedby the 1/ord Mayor at afternoon tea,after which the Auckland Division of the NavyLeague provided two sight-seeing buses toshow us the sights of the city, followed by adinner dance in the Navy League rooms.Thursday, 4th February-Tuesday, 9th Feb.:These days were spent in H.M.N.Z.S.ROTOITI and KANIERE, which ships, togetherwith H.M.A.S. SWAN, H.M.S.ANDREW and H.M.N.Z.S. ROYALIST, weretaking part in the Waitangi ceremony at Russellin the Bay of Islands. A sailing regattaduring our stay at Russell was won by Canada.Wednesday, 10th February:All were glad to be back in BLACK PRINCEand on completion of packing, leave wasgranted.Thursday, 11th February:Embark in Navy buses at 0900 (in the rain)for Rotorua. Lunch at Hamilton with boys ofHamilton High School, and then to Rotorua by1700 (for the tour we were to be accompaniedby Lt.-Cdr. Ainslee. R.N.Z.N., and M.A.A.Thompson on the Reserve Staff of AucklandR.N.Z.N.V.R. Division). That evening we wereguests of the Tourist Department at the MineralBaths, which we found most refreshing.Friday, 12th Februpy:W T e attended a Civic Reception iu the forenoon.and visited Mokoia Island (redolent withmemories of Hinemoa and Tutanekai) out inLake Rotorua. That evening we attended aMaori concert.Saturday, 13th February:This day was spent on a visit to Waitomolimestone caves, and then on return cadetsattended several local Rotorua dances.Sunday, 14th February:In the forenoon we visited Whakoa thermalregion. In the afternoon we visited LakeRotoiti and several other very scenic lakes.An impressive variety concert was put on bya Maori concert group that evening.Monday, l&th February:An early start, to-day, for we are to visitGeyser Valley at Wairaki. Geyser Valley wasmore impressive than Rotorua as far as thermalactivity is concerned and, of course, italso boasts one of the world's two Geo-thermalpower generating plants, where steam from theearth is fed direct to huge turbo generators.After lunching at sumptuous Wairaki hotel,we moved on, past Lake Taupo, and on to the"Desert Road," round the base of partly extinctvolcanoes, Tongariro and Ruapehu. atthe foot of which is the R.N.Z.N. Wireless Station."Irirangi," and the Army Camp atWainuru.Tuesday, 10th February:On to the R.A.N.Z.A.F. Station at Ohakiafor lunch, and then by the Bristol freighter toChristchurch. The flight was enjoyed by some,disliked by others, for Bristols are not renownedfor quiet and comfort. Once in Christchurchwe were adopted by our hosts for thefollowing week.20 THE NAVYJuno. I96021