January 20 Achilles sailed for Australia. Berthed Wooloomooloo for two weeks. Sailed with the Australian Squadron to Jervis Bay carrying out war games.
March 2 anchored George Sound. Stewart Island's Oban Bay, Bluff Harbour. Stayed an extra day to eat deep sea oysters and rare steaks. Weekend in Dunedin and heavy seas to Wellington. Man overboard in heavy seas off the heads with Barretts Reef to port. Alarm given, lifebuoy out, Achilles swung to starboard away from the seaman with engines astern. Able Seaman Jock Stewart swam to the lifebuoy and slowly drawn alongside. A very lucky man!
March 4 passed Rangitoto Island on way into Auckland.
March 6 passed Rangitoto Island on way to Russell then down to Wellington. While there the Straits ferry attempted to reverse away from her terminal and a heavy gust blew her along side Achilles tearing her away from the Clyde Quay berth forcing the dead ship across Oriental Bay and jamming her against the boat harbour seawall. Midnight out into deep water and next morning divers reported no damage apart from grazes and lost paint.
April & May Hauraki Gulf war games with Leander and warding off attacks from RNZAF aircraft. Exercised fleet manoevres with sis (Leander) and England's Leith and Wellington.
May 7 Both cruisers complements stood before Rear Admiral ER Drummond to hear his farewell speech. Relieved by Commodore HE Horan.
April Achilles north to show the flag - its winter!!!
Tonga and cricket at Nukualofa and rugby matches. Pago US medico confined Achilles crew to ship due to rubella cases in sickbay. Funafuti Island anchored in lagoon then Navy Board Wellington ordered Achilles direct to Auckland.
mid July-September Auckland
October farewell visits to Lyttelton, Dunedin & Wellington.
October 15 Election Day and a Saturday - no pubs open. Labour government M Savage re-elected.
October 19 Auckland. Achilles in dock while first watch on 14 days leave then second watch.
November depart for Britain. A Town Hall Civic farewell and dance. At Suva Fiji Leander (sis) pulls alongside Achilles.
November 1 TB Paton Stoker 1st Class left Achilles
November 2 TB Paton Stoker 1st Class boarded Leander
December 8 Leander cheered Achilles on its way to Portsmouth via Tahiti.
