MEMORABLE AFTERNOON.

Auckland Star, Volume LV, Issue 115, 16 May 1924, Page 7

MEMORABLE AFTERNOON.

"AT HOME ON THE HOOD. THREE THOUSAXD VISITORS. Approximately 3000 visitors inspected H.M.s. Hood yesterday afternoon, -when the ship's company held their "Ar. , Home." all the guests being present by invitation. The occasion served to show | in a marked manner the readiness -with I which Jack Tar can make friends when in a strange port, since every man had i his guests to show over the immense ship and to entertain at afternoon tea, which was served in the messes. The "At Home" commenced at 3 o'clock, petty officers and men «min°: to the wharf gates to meet their iriends. ! Members of the slighter sex were in the j majority, of course, and all ages were represented, from '-Sappers" to elderly ladies, and all received the same cour- I teous attention from their hosts. Jack is :Ln adept at entertaining. The Hood ! was specially decorated for the occasion. ; a red and white ceremonial awning being \ stretched over the entire quarter-deck. | Each mess attended to its own schema j of decoration, and very attractive they looked with their bright streamers of flap, paper bells, and balloons. Tables, replete with white cloths, were set out J with a plentitude of dainties, cakes, pastries, and tinned fruits, and when tea was served at 4 p.m. there were some very merry scenes in the various messes. Many a society hostess would consider ; herself amply repaid if her guests i enjoyed themselves with the same ;jest as did the gnests of the ship's company yesterday afternoon. Dancing , on the beautifully polished teak of the quarterdeck was in full swing- from 2.30 to long after 5 p.m., the orchestra of the Royal Marines providing excellent jazz music, which was appreciated by all. The dance programme carried an artistic pen and ink drawing of H.M.S. Hood, memories of a bygone day being recalled by a fleet of old •'wooden walla" faintly depicted in the funnel smoke. The guests of the ship's company were allowed several privileges in viewing the ship, and these they appreciated, lumbers were permited inside the gun i turrets. ; _ A crippled lady in an invalid's chair ! found a good friend in a young seaman. ; who wheeled her over most of the acces- | sible portions of the upper deck. A special entertainment committee handled all the arrangements of the day, and Mr. E. W. Baker acted a= master of ceremonies to the entire satisfaction of all, and in this he was ably assisted jby Mr. Dyer, one of the Hood's seamen-