THE OFFICIAL CALLS.

Auckland Star, Volume LVI, Issue 189, 12 August 1925, Page 9

THE OFFICIAL CALLS.

ADMIRALS MEET GOVERNOR- S GENERAL. « f PROCEEDINGS QUITE FORMAL. j " ] (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) 4 WELLINGTON, Tuesday. * Official calls made up the main, por- { tion of to-day's programme. As soon as the Seattle and Pennsylvania had berthed the Rear-Admirals of the " fleet gathered on board the Seattle in order to accompany Admiral Coontz on his calls. The first call made was that j of Commodore Beale, Commodore of the * New Zealand Navy, who was accompanied 'by members of his staff. The visit was made at 2.15. At 2.30 Admiral i Coontz and his officers left Pipitea wharf to pay an official call on his Excellency the Governor-General (Sir Charles Fergusson) at Government House. A guard of honour was formed by fifty men of the 15th Battery, under command of Captain J. Abel and Lieutenant Williamson. The Artillery Band was also in attendance and played - suitable music as the Admiral and hia officers left the ship. Admiral Coontz proceeded to Government House by, car, and the proceedings were quite formal, the whole visit occupying only a few minutes. Admiral Coontz then left Government House, paid an official visit j to the Prime Minister and other Minis- , ters of the Crown. . The Tβturn call of the GovernorGeneral was marked by an interesting ceremonial on board the Seattle. His Excellency was accompanied toy Major - Haviland and Captain Vernon Wentworth, A.D.C's. He was received on the quarter-deck by Admiral Coontz, j who was accompanied by Rear-Admiral j Cole (his clerk of staff), Rear-Admiral R. H. Leigh, Rear-Admiral H. J. Zeigemeier (of the Pennsylvania), RearAdmiral T. P. Magruder (of the Richmond), and other' officers. As the Governor-General stepped on to the quarter-deck a guard of marines presented arms. He was received by j Admiral Coontz, and, as he left the ship i after a few minutes' conversation, a' salute of nineteen guns was fired. The Mayor of Wellington (Mr. C. B. Norwood), accompanied by the acting Town Clerk (Mr. R. Tait), and members of the council paid an official call later in the afternoon, and this -was returned just prior to the' civic reception at 5 i o'clock