GOOD BYE! GOOD LUCK!

Auckland Star, Volume LVI, Issue 185, 7 August 1925, Page 7

GOOD BYE! GOOD LUCK!

UNCLE SAM'S SAILORS.

EN ROUTE TO NEW ZEALAND.

WONDERFUL AUSTRALIANS.

(By Cable.—-Press Association.—Copyright.)

(Received 10.30 a.m.)

MELBOURNE, this day.

There were remarkable scenes of enthusiasm as the .United States Fleet commenced its voyage. Each ship Was a mass of streamers, and the shores were lined with a cheering multitude as the ships proceeded down the bay, with Aubtralian Air Force planes circling each vessel. The last heard of the fleet as it disap* peared in the haze Was the band of each ship claying "The Girl I Left Behind Jle." " When the roll was called in Port Philip Bay it was discovered that twenty-one men were missing. Three warships, including the flagship Seattle, experienced mechanical trouble in the passage down the bay.—(A. and N.Z. Cable.)

"OUR HARBOUR.'

RIO AND HOBABT FIRST. AND SYDNEY THIRD ! (lieceived 10.30 a.m.) HOBART, this day. The American cruisers delayed their departure for New Zealand until 4 o'clock on Friday afternoon. Lord Stradbroke decided not to return to Melbourne but will pay a visit to New Zealand. He will go as a passenger on the flagship. Speaking at a reception, Admiral Magruder placed Rio first as the finest harbour in the world, Hobart second, and Sydney third. He added that Hobart offered the best ehelter of any.— (A. and N.Z. Cable.)

DESERTERS FROM FLEET.

CROSSING THE BAR. (Received 10.30 a.m.) SYDNEY, this day, The police estimate that 60 American sailors deserted during the fleet's stay in ■Sydney. One sailor put in an appearance shortly after the ships had sailed, but he was not a deserter. He had drunk •well, but not wisely. He will be sent on to rejoin his ship at Auckland. Three others were found in a similar condition, in the streets.— (A. and N.Z.)

NINE PREFER VICTORIA.

SOME ENGINE TROUBLE. (iteeeired 10.30 a.m.) MELBOURNE, this day. While steaming down the bay, the destroyer Chase experienced engine trouble and returned to port. Another destroyer grounded on a sand bank at the side of the channel. Official reports show that only nine men deserted in Melbourne.—(A. and X.Z. Cable.)

A LINK OF FRIENDSHIP.

FORGED B* THE VMIT. SYDNEY, August 6. The fine weather which heralded the arrival of the American Fleet at Sydney held throughout the visit, and the vessels steamed out of the harbour this monring, bound for Auckland, under bright skies. The lifting of the anchors at 11 a.m. •was greeted by an outbreak of "cock-a-doodling" -from the ships in the harbour, and by other noisj' demonstrations from the many small craft afloat. A steamer carrying a Ministerial party and a .number of launches crowded with citizens accompanied the warships down the harbour. ■ '-" The wives of Admiral Coontz ahd a number of other leading officers of the Sydney and Melbourne sections of the fleet will sail for New Zealand by the Moeraki to-morrow morning. The Prime Minister, Mr. S. M. Bruce, in a farewell message to Admiral Coontz, dispatched by wireless, said he hoped he would carry a message of heartfelt goodwill from the people of Australia to flic citizens of the" United States. The latter, by sending their fleet to Australia, had paid Australia a very great compliment''and forced a link of* friendship which lie trusted would never be broken. Admiral ■ Coontz'g farewell dances on board three ef the • battleships at Melbourne were attended by ,18,000 guests. Admiral Robißon, in a farewell letter to the Lord Mayor of Sydney, said the reception to-the fleet had set a standard of friendliness which the members of his comnrana did not expect to find excelled in any other port they are to visit. They were most deeply impressed by the sentiment of genuine friendliness displayed by people in all walks of life. The fleet was accompanied for 10 mile.? out to sea by an aeroplane, which circlnd low over the flagship as the pilot waved good-bye. The Premier of New South Wales, Mr. J. T. Lansr, in a farewell message to the fleet, said its visit would assist in betterinc the understanding on matters in the Pacific region.. He expressed his keen appreciation of the conduct of the men of the fleet. This, he said, had been exemplary in all circumstances.— (A. and N.Z. Cable.)

APPLICATIONS TO MARRY.

ONLY ONE GRANTED. SYDNEY, August 6. Ten applications were made to the City Court by American eailore to-day for'leave io marry without giving the necessary three days' notice. Only one of the applications was granted.—(A. and N.Z. Cable.)

AN UNStTHPASSED WjELCOME.

■ i<z.t?gVi*&itea -10.30 a.m.) - : 1l? SYDNEY, this day. \dmiral Robison, in a letter to Mr. ,T T. Lang, Premier of N.S.W., stated that the-welcome as a demonstration of cordiality and friendship surpassed thin" of a siniilar character lie had ex-