VISIT OF BLUEJACKETS TO ASHBURTON.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 13907, 5 December 1910, Page 8

VISIT OF BLUEJACKETS TO ASHBURTON.

NAVAL DISPLAY IN THE DOMAIN. At the invitation of the Ashburton Branch of the Navy League, a strong detachment of bluejackets from H.M.S. Powerful, bringing with them a field gun and accompanied by the Powerful's band, visited Ashburton on Saturday. They "were met nt the railway station on the arrival of the 1.40 p.m. express by Mr M. G. C. Pascbe (secretary of the Ashburton branch of the League) and other members of the League, and by the Mayor (Mr Hy. Davis) on behalf of the Borough Council. The contingent, headed by their band, marched to the Somerset Hotel, where they were entertained at luncheon by the Ashburton hranch of the League. At the table set apart for the officers and Navy committee, sat Mr M. G, C. Poftcoc, secretary of the branch, who presided. First Lieut. Watson, R.N., First Lieut. Snagge, R.N., the ltev. E. Whitehous6 and 31r W. H. Hodgkins, Amongst the guests were Messrs T. E. Upton. J. Tucker, G. Schneider, \V. F. Waters, the Rev. H. k. Bellhouse. and other members ol local bodies. The toast of "The King" was honoured. Mr Pascee apologised for the unavoidable absence of Mr John r 'Sg,- the president, and others, who were attending another important function. The healths of the officers and men were enthusiastically honoured. Lieut. Snagge, in reply, thanked the committee oi the Navy league for their kind invitation, and proposed "The Ashburton Branch of the Nary League, ' a toast which was responded to with hearty cheers. The detachment then marched to the Domain, where in the presence of a large concourse of people, a naval display was given and a'programme of sports roih* through. The lady friends of the members of the League provided afternoon tea. The band played selections of music during the, afternoon. The contingent left by tlie evening express for Christchureh, and were loudly choeifd by a largo gathering of townspeople as the train moved off.