DINNER TO THE MEN.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIV, Issue 102, 30 April 1913, Page 5

DINNER TO THE MEN.

THE CITY'S HOSPITALITY.

TRAM TRIPS ROUND AUCKLAND.

The first gathering for the entertainment of the men was the city's dinner to 250 men at the Town Hall to-day. His Worship the Mayor (Mr. C. J. Parr) presided, and had on his right Lieutenant Jones and on his left Boatswain Head. Among those at the Mayor's table were also several veterans. The men appeared Ito thoroughly enjoy the dinner, which was served in excellent style. After dinner cigars were handed round, and several toasts were honoured before the men left to have a look round the city and suburbs on the tramcars, free passes having been given to every man on hoard. In welcoming the guests, the Mayor hoped they would all enjoy their visit to Auckland, and carry away happy memories. He was sorry the weather was not too favourable, but he promised them that they would see plenty oT"sU7ishine before they left. The toast of "The King" was honoured most heartily, and it was worth going to the dinner merely to hear the Jacktars sing "God Save the King." It has never been sung with such vigour in the building before. THE NAVY OLD AND NEW. •Mr. W. B. Leyland, an old man-o'-wars-man himself, said that he had a toast to propose. He had been present at the launching of the New Zealand, and he was proud to be present at her reception at Auckland. He had heen through the mill on the lower deck, and he attributed any success he had attained to his training as a handy man. (Loud applause.) He remembered the time when they used the same guns that Nelson fought with, and when tall spars and sides were the pride of the Navy. Things were all different now, nut it was still the same grand old Navy. (Roars of applause.) He gave them the toast, "The New Zealand." The toast was greeted with shouts of applause, and the singing of a verse of "Rule Britannia," in a manner that would have made the rafters, had there been any, ring again. Lieutenant Jones, upon rising to reply, was vociferously applauded. The lieui tenant acknowledged the splendid reception being accorded the officers and men |of the ship. They that day were the '. lucky ones to receive the first entertainment at Auckland. (Applause.) They should never forget the sight of the harbour yesterday, with its multitude of small craft. To-day they had turned on another sort of weather. After referring to tie appreciation of the officers and crew of the warship for the freedom of the tramcars during their visit, the speaker declared that, although things were different to-day than when Mr. Leyland was in the Navy, the esprit de corps was the same, and he believed it would always be the same. (Storms of applause and heari hear.) THE VETERANS. The next toast honoured was that of "The Veterans," prior to which the Mayor explained to the assembled company that among the veterans present I were some who had done deeds of courage by flood and field in many of the historic events of Britain's wars of last century. Sitting on his left was Veteran Rowland Hill, whose breast was unable to accommodate all the medals which I—. Hill had won in many of tbe Empire's conflicts. Among a host of records telling of his participation in fights both by sea and land—for Veteran Hill served in both branches in the course of his adventurous career —are medals for the Baltic, the Crimea, the Indian Mutiny (where he was a member of Peel's column to the relief of Lucknow), the Garibaldian campaign, and the New Zealand war. Mr. Hill was in the gallant Yon Tempsky's brigade, as a member ot which he won the New Zealand Cross, while since his retirement to a life of peace he has won two Roj-al Humane Society medals. The announcement ot the various exploits of the famous old warrior was the signal for ringing cheers. Mr. T. Allen (president of the Veterans' Association), in responding to the toast, expressed his pride at" being present to participate in the reception of the New Zealand- He went on to say that it was at the time of the Boer war that the veterans of Auckland formed themselves into an association to keep alive the old sentiments, and also largely with the object of trying to get the New Zealand Government to obtain a training ship for the youth of New Zealand who desired to join the navy. (Loud applause.) Discipline was the essential thing for young men, and the sight he saw before him was of itself a warranty of its value to men. The speaker declared his conviction that with a proper training ship for New Zealand they would be able to turn out yearly 200 Auckland boys for the navy. (Applause.) They, the visitors, could see now Aucklanders took to the water by the scene on the harbour yesterday, and he felt sure with a proper ship it would not he long before New Zealand could find the men to man a battleship herself. (Loud applause.) At the conclusion oi I Mr. Allen's remark* three hearty cheer 3 , were given for the veterans, and the luncheon party broke up to see the [ sights of the town.