"COURTESY PERSONIFIED."

Auckland Star, Volume LVI, Issue 190, 13 August 1925, Page 9

"COURTESY PERSONIFIED."

ABOARD TJ.S.S CALIFORNIA. MEMORIES OF A PLEASANT VISIT. "Courtesy personified" rmilil well describe l thn ollicers of tlio I'.S.s. California, flagship of the battle fleet, which is now anchored in Auckland Harbour. When two "Star" reporters stopped, on the quarter-dock of the vi>iwi, three or four miles outside Kangitoto beacon on Tuesday morning , , they wer , ! greeted in a most hospitable manner. 11l fact it was like meeting old friend*. "You arc Press men, L hclipvi , '.'"' inquired the oilieor of the watch. "Well. would you lie so kind as to wait si moment or two. til;' Admiral* flug-lieiitonan; is a little luisy just. now. Make yourselves at home here on tlii , quarter-deck, and I >hall have hint up to you as soon us ho can come.' . Five minutes later a dapper oHieer, not overburdened with pold braid, mi nn , smilingly uj) out of a hatchway, and • extending :iis hand, .-aid: "\'cry glmi fiV sec you. and to know you. Meet Mr. Freeman, who is a I'rpssninn like your good selves. Now. I'll be with you airaiii in a few minutes, and will tell you all you want to know." It was then thac other young officer* of all ranks came up and began chatting with the representatives of the "•.Star." Questions wern eagerly asked, and answers just as readily given. Moat of the. questions related to rugs and woollens. It bceanio quite evident that some enterprising iirm in .Auckland had notilicd "the ship' , that they sold the. rugs on thcj market. Information was sought concorning the golf links and other places where outdoor exercises could bu indulged in. Several asked about the race days and Xew Zealand's wonderfland. When told of some of the beauties to be seen u.t Wairakei and Taupo, many (•lapped their hands, sayinjr: '"Thal'a the place for me."' Others again said, '"I'm on the first trip. What are you on Mike J" Mike laughingly replied '"the second. You see I'll see some of tliß horse, races on the Saturday. Let's see! the trotting is on the next Saturday, isn't it? Well, I'd sooner see the running; horses." And so it went on. All the while the great battleship was pushing her nose through the ultra calm blue waters of Kangitoii) Channel. Then these young navy men. most of them with life all before them, commenced to ask questions about the various bays and landmarks which looked so beautiful on that most glorious morning. Xot one, but several of the oilu'i-rs commented upon the beauties of the scenes which were passing before their eyes as the great ship went past pretty marine ruburbs and the city began to open up to their enthusiastic gaze. And then came our host, the (lag-lieutenant. Taking us "down stairs." we were shown into an office, of which any city business might be proud. It was here the "Star" reporters were told all they wanted to know .\nd more. It was all too short a stay. One wanted to linger. But the great ships .of war were coming to anchor, and everybody "got busy" to receive the orlicial callers. "If you wish to go ashore immediately, to get to your office, there is a launch at your disposal. She will be in the water in a moment or two." And sure enough as he spoke a huge crane was lifting a big high-speed launch out into the water. In a trite it was alongside, and a moment later speeding away to the landing stage at the Prince's wharf. So ended a most delightful visit to a 1 most courteous and pleasant number of ' officer* on the United States battleship j California.