As the group grew in size a hall was built over the top of the old boat shed in 1943. On 21 July 1952 a fire swept through the building. In addition to the almost total loss of the building, the White Ensign flown by the NZ cruiser HMNZS Achilles during the Battle of the River Plate and at the Surrender of Japan at the end of World War II was lost in the fire. The new and current building was opened on Saturday 17 October 1953 by Sir John Allum. External links International sea Scouting Centenary of Sea Scouts References Scouting and Guiding in New Zealand New Zealand