ADMIRALS LAND.

Auckland Star, Volume LVI, Issue 188, 11 August 1925, Page 13

ADMIRALS LAND.

! BOOMING OF THE'GUNS.

; OFFICIAL, COURTESY CALLS.

The battleships having anchored, euceessfully, and all the accompanying ietails having been completed, the official courtesy calls began. Immediately the flagship California " dropped the hook " in the calm bluey waters of the Waiteniata harbour, Commander F. ST. Miles, R.N., senior naval officer at Auckland base, came alongside, and was received with a full guard of honour of American marines. RearAdmiral L. A. Bostwick, chief of staff U.S. Battle Fleet, met Commander Miles as he stepped on the quarter-deck and escorted him to Admiral S. S. Robison, Commander-in-Chief. The next visitor was \»ice-Admiral H. A. Wiley (U.S.S. West Virginia), accompanied by his flag officer. Next came the American Consul, Mr. Walter P. Boyle, and the chairman of the Auckland Harbour Board. Mr. H. R. Mackenzie. The DeputyMayor, Mr. J. A. Warnock followed a few minutes later, and then the officer commanding the northern command. Colonel H. R. Potter, accompanied by his chief of staff, Lieut.-Colonel J. Duigan. The Admirals. The landing df the admirals was a most impressive ceremony, with plenty of gold lace flashing in the sunlight. The party consisted of Admiral S. S. Robison (Commander-in-Chief of the battle fleet), Rear-Admiral L. A. Bost-n-ick (Chief of Staff), Rear-Admiral W. McDougall (U.S.S. New Mexico), ViceAdmiral H. A. Wyllie (U.S.S. West Virginia), Rear-Admiral Rodman (unofficial), and various flag officers of the battle fleet. As the party left the flagship its departure was marked by two salutes of 17 guns from U.S.S. California. Admiral Robison first paid an official call on Sir James Parr, who represented the New Zealand Government at Auckland, and later returned the official calls made previously. The party of admirals, together with their numerous staff officers, were then driven to the Town Hall to attend the civic reception. As the Admiral stepped ashore a salute was fired from Fort Cautley. The third Auckland Regiment Band played the visitors ashore, after which he inspected the guard of honour, composed of non-commissioned officers and men of the First Battalian, Auckland Regiment, under command of Capt. J. R. Gray. Undemonstrative Crowds. Every available foot of ground in the vicinity was eagerly seized by the dense mass of people. But it was an undemonstrative crowd which seemed more bent on satisfying curiosity than cheering.