SALUTING "OUR" FLAG.

Auckland Star, Volume LVI, Issue 189, 12 August 1925, Page 8

SALUTING "OUR" FLAG.

CEREMONY ON CALIFORNIA.

GREAT RESPECT FOR BRITAIN.

As the U.S.s. 'California, flagship of the United States-Battle Fleet, came abreaet of Fort Cautley, the good old British Ensign was run up at the gaff, immediately it reached the truck and fluttered in the breeze the company of U.S. marines lined up on the quarterdeck of the battleship, sprang smartly to attention, and then came to the salute. The ship's band played "God Save the King" as it should be played, and it did the heart of a Britisher good to hear it. In a moment the guns began to boom, and the "old flag" fluttered in the breeze as it had done on the seven seae tor centuries past. During the whole of the time the salute was being given every man on that great battleship stood to attention, the officers at the salute. As the flagship rounded the point at North Head the answering salute came from >Fort Cautley, and immediately the first gun; was fired the ojd, flag of the Navy of the British Empire came fluttering down. It was a most impressive ceremony, and one which will live long in the memory of the two pressmen and a couple of Press photographers who were privileged to witness it. What impressed the observers more than anything else was the great respect for the British flag with which the ceremony was attended. Here was one of the greatest ' battle fleets of an Englishspeaking navy paying a tribute to the Motherland from which they had sprung. The great engines of war on a peace mission from the United States of America had saluted the flag of "old England" in the calm, clear watere of the Waitemata Harbour.