GREAT ROUTE MARCH.

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

GREAT ROUTE MARCH.

THROUGH WELLINGTON

STREETS.

FIFTEEN HUNDRED TAKE PART.

FOOTPATHS DENSELY PACKED.

CBy Telegraph.—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, this day. -Men of the visiting United States Navy must have been highly impressed by the cordial nature of to-day's welcome as they marched in force through the city streets. AH parts of the route were lined by friendly throngs, and even the weather, which yesterday was so fine but had a touch of froetinese in the air, was this morning warm and balmy, scarcely enough breeze blowing to lift the bunting which was everywhere evident. About fifteen hundred of all ranks participated, comprising a battalion of marines, and three batallions of bluejackets from- the Seattle, Pennsylvania, Oklahoma and Nevada; -each with Machine-gun sections, *nd a battalion of marine arjtillery, with bands from the various ships interspersed through the line of march. Each battalion carried the flag of its ship, as well as the Stars and Stripes. The whole parade was under the command of Captain McDowell, captain of the battleship Oklahoma. The men made a fine display as they moved through the crowded streets, bright sunshine showing_ up* the colours of the review order uniforms, giving a more impressive appearance than was observed yesterday, when the men were in more or less working rig. The route lay up Bunny Street, through Parliament Grounds, where the Governor-General, with Admiral Coontz, took the salute as each flag party passed, then through Lambton Quay, Willis Street, Cuba Street, and along the harbour front. The route was lined by enthusiastic crowds, who turned out in very large force, attracted by the warm spring air and the promise of a display which since war time hae not often been seen here. While the parade was forming,;. and during'the inarch through the city, seaplanes wheeled and- manoeuvred above the streets and over the harbour, and, as yesterday, they were the cynosure of all eyes, when, in twisting and turning, they alternately showed silver and black as the presented their sunkissed bright metalwork or shaded sides-to view. .''A party of permanent artillery paraded to form a guard of honour for the and made a striking contrast in their khaki against the all blue of the naval men. Another note of contrast was. furnished while the parade was forming up by the passing of a party of Salvation Army women officers in uniform of quiet blue, typifying an army designed for warfare of a different chareter from that, giving rise to the existence 'of the military organisation whose presence wae the occasion of the day's gathering. Admiral Coontz and his principal officers Are to 'be tendered an official luncheon by the Govornent this afternoon at the Town Hall. Later in the afternoon the matron and nurses of the hospital ship Relief will be the guests of the 'Trained , Nurses' Association- at-the latter's rooms.