INVADED!

Auckland Star, 2 September 1933, Page 7

INVADED!

yiSITING CRUISERS. INSPECTION BY PUBLIC." ROUND OP ENTERTAINMENTS. Warships have ever held a deep curiosity and keen interest for the landsman, and when the visiting Australian j cruisers Canberra and Australia were | opened to inspection by the public this afternoon they were invaded by large crowds of curious Aucklanders. The ships will again be open to mepecfaon to-morrow from 1.30 p.in. until 4.30 p.m. and it is expected that officers and crew will have an even busier time showing their guests the ins and outs of the ships than they had to-day. The Australian cruisers are well worth inspection, for they are entirely different from any other warships that have visited Auckland. Officially known as the 10,000-ton Washington Treaty class, they are considerably bigger than the Dunedin and Diomede, and embody all the features of modern naval architecture. One thing that immediately impresses itself on the visitor is the general roominess of the slaps Each Her carries a flying boat which lifted on board by means of a special crane. Aucklanders to-day found the Australians excellent hosts, eager to please and to tell all that could be told. Inspection By Children. Special arrangements may be made for parties of scffool children, boy scouts oirl "uides and the like to inspect the fhins when they are closed to ordinary Sorl Those y wishing to arrange such vimtß should communicate withi the. flagSi members of the Navy League, as o. board the Japanese mercantde tiam from the Canberra and the Dunedin a

stokers was played at the Devonport ground, and in the evening warrant officers from both visiting cruisers were entertained at a dance given by the Mercantile Auxiliary Club at the Overseas Club rooms. Club Room and Dance Floor. A splendid club room and buffet for the use of men from both Australian and New Zealand cruisers has been established on the Central wharf by the Auckland branch of the Navy League,, there being provision for dancing, read-1 ing and writing, with a band of willing helpers to serve coffee and cocoa. The dancing floor, presented by Mr. H. T. Goldie, measures 90ft by 40ft, and 'proved extremely popular last evening,, I when the large cargo shed was gay with bunting and coloured lights. All the equipment for the club room has been lent to the Navy League free of cost. An inspection of the place was made yesterday by 'Flag-Captain F. C. Bradley, R.N., of* the Canberra, who expressed hi"h appreciation, on behalf of the visitors of the generous efforts made by the Navy League for their comfort and entertainment. A recreation room is also available lor the men at the Seamen's Institute, while anyone from the visiting ships is welcome , to make ueo of the facilities at the Young Men's Christian Association building in Wellesley Street. Ratings from the Australian ships have been granted free travel on the trams | and free admission to the Zoological Park and Tepid Baths. In addition, motor sight-seeing tours have been arranged by the Harbour Lights Guild. Coming Events. The programme for the remainder of the cruisers' stay has been arranged as follows:— ,-.-.„ . i , To-day. —Association football matcJi at Blandford Park between the Australian and New Zealand Squadrons. Navy League dance to the ships' companies of ! the Canberra, Australia, Dunedin and j i Diomede in the Harbour Board shed at the Naval Base, Devonport. Dinner to officers at the Northern Club. Australian Club gathering at Dixieland Cabaret, to which officers of the Australian ships. have been invited. Savage Club's smoke concert at Scots Hall, to which officers j have been invited. Smoke concert given i bv the chief petty officers and petty j officers of the New Zealand Squadron to the chief petty officers and petty officers of the Australian Squadron at the Mecca Cafe.

To-morrow. —Service at St. Patrick's Cathedral. Party of officers leave by car for Rotorua. "Motor drive round city, arranged by the Roman Catholic organisations. Visit of party of officers to Mr. Kenneth Mackenzie's residence in the Waitakeres. Inter-squadron golf match at Middlemore. Monday.—lnter-squadron hockey match at the Naval Base ground. At Home on the Canberra. Intcr-squadrou boxing contests in the Harbour Board's sheds at the Naval Base. Dance given by the ships' companies at Peter Pan Cabaret. Avondale Ex-Servicemen's Club dance in the Town Hall, to which the ships' ratings have been invited. Tuesday. —Inter-squadron Rugby football match at Eden Park. A cup for presentation to the winning team has been donated by Mr. L. Smith. Association football match between the Canberra's communications branch (signallers and telegraphists) and the Dunedin's communications branch. Navy League ball at the Town Hall for officers of both squadrons. Wednesday. —Canberra, Australia, Dunedin and Diomede leave for gunnery exercises in the gulf. The Australian team to play the New Zealand Squadron at golf at Middlemore to-morrow is as follows: —H.TVI.A.s. Canberra: Flag Captain F. C. Bradley, R.N., Lieutenant A. A. Tait, R.N., InetructorCommander J. C. Slater. H.M.A.s. Australia: Lieutenants A. J. Travis and C. J. Stepheneon, Surgeon-Commander D. McL. Austin, Paymaster-Lieutenant R. F. Hatherell and Sub-Lieutenant T. K. Morrison.