DINNER TO THE MEN OF H.M.S. NYMPHE.

Auckland Star, Volume IX, Issue 2499, 28 March 1878, Page 2

DINNER TO THE MEN OF H.M.S. NYMPHE.

About seventy seamen attached to H.M. ship Nymphe, including others from the Conflict, sat down last evening to an excellent dinner at the Hallway Terminns. Hotel. The dinner was provided ia the best possible manner by Mr and Mm Endean, and gave tlie utmost satisfaction and of which the joVy tars partook moat heartily. After the storing away of toe relishafale viand*, a number of toasts were successively given by the chairman of the evening, Mr John Laffin, of the schooner Conflict; Sergeant Ford acting as vicechairman. The toasts were "TheQueenand the "Koydl Family/ 3 "His Excellency the Governor, and Lady Norman by, "the- "Army and Navy," the "Officers and Lien of the Njniphe," the "Press," the " Girls," the " Host and Hostess, including the name of Mr Phillips, of the Forester's Anns," and the "Old Commodore," {Mr Fernandez). The Chairman, ia the course of his remarks, expressed the thanks of himself, the CompanyofH.M.S. Xymphe, and the gallant craft Conflict, for the hospitality that had been shewn them since they had "been in the port of Auckland, and especially on the present occasion at the hands of their good friends afc the Terminus Hotel. He was sure they would all recollect, with grateful emotions, that evening's eatertainment when far out at sea. On their return to the old country, they might be sent to the seat of war to give the Russians--not some of the Turkey they had been feasting upon, but Turkey stuffing in the shape of projectile.?. (Hear, hear.) Although he could not say their ships were "hearts of oak" he could say there were many jolly tars amongst them who had conquered the enemy hitherto, and would conquer a^ain* (Cheers.)

Mr Endean, the host, in reply, said that although he was comparatively a newcomer ia Auckland, *he knew sufficient from experience, . and from Mr Fernandez to know they were genuine good fellows. He had a profoundrespect for seamen, and had entertained that respect from the days when he sported among the fishermen oil the rocky shores of his native Cornwall, noted for its pilchards and ake. He begged to thank them on the part of himself and Mrs Endean for their hearty expressions of good-will. Zvlr Fernandez thanked them as the " Old Commodore." he was always glad to mingle with seamen, who were among ihe truest of men; they " Wore their heart upon their sleeve," to quote no less an authority than Shakespeare. He was glad to bear testimony to their soberity, good sense r and honourable conduct, since they had been at. this station.

Mr Candiih, steward, in proposing " The Press," said he felt a pleasure in doing this, as he, as well as others of the ship, had always experienced much courtesy from gentlemen of the press, who .invariably furnished them ■with papers gratuitously, aud which afforded much interest in lonely hours upon fho wide ocean. He would especially instance the Evening Stab, whose twinkle was pleasant as the sunglints of Aurora. The other speakers were, Messrs Collins, Allen, aud Jones. The evening passed in dancing and song; such songs as " Yo heave ho," " A blessing on the outward bound," " Hurrah for merry England," "The mariners song," eta, were sung, and tho utmost harmony prevailed throughout, shewing that sailors, " blue jackets," as they are termed are men of intelligence, with, a keen seuse of right and wrong, and who know how, in the majority, to conduct themselves in a praise^ worthy manner.