FLEET AT SEA.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18456, 10 August 1925, Page 10

FLEET AT SEA.

LOST 43 MEN IN SYDNEY. WELCOME PLANS READY. (bt CABLE—PRESS ASSOCIATION—COPTBIGHT.) (AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION.) (Received August 9th, 5.5 p.m.) SYDNEY, August 9. A radio message from Admiral Robison states that 43 seamen failed to rejoin the ships in Sydney. Two stragglers wero reported to the American Consul, wiTo sent them forward as passengers by the Ulimaroa.

RETURNING THE CALL.

SUGGESTION TO AUSTRALIA. (AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION.) MELBOURNE, August 8. Mr John E.- Moran, States Consul, said that lie thought it would be an excellent idea for Australia to return the call just made by America. He suggested that vessels of the Australian Fleet should cross the Pacific and visit Seattle, San Francisco, and other west coast ports, then passing through the Panama Canal, visit such places as New Orleans, New York, and Boston.

He thought the advertisement received would far outweigh the expenditure involved. : This' is giving concrete expression to an idea which was a favourite theme with American officers while in Melbourne.

The United States destroyer Chase, having completed engine repairs, sailed for New Zealand.

CRUISER DIVISION SAILS.

(AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION.) HOBART, August 8. The light cruiser division left for New Zealand amid scenes of unprecedented enthusiasm. Lord Stradbroke (Victorian Governor) is a passenger aboard U.S.B. Richmond for Wellington.

THE MONEY QUESTION.

DOLLARS AND DIFFICULTIES. Difficulty was experienced by many American sailors in Australia, and may be in New Zealand, on being paid in British when changing American notes. At places where purchases have been made shopkeepers are generally willing to accept American notes. Several of the men complained that in Australia they . have received as low as 3s 6d, and sometimes less, tfor a dollar. The normal value of a dollar is 4s- 2d,'but this will be subject to a small charge for exchange. The banks in Zealand will exchange United States gold coin and current notes for the men from the Fleet at the following rates:—

PARLIAMENT TO ADJOURN.

(press association teuegraw.)

WELLINGTON, August 9.

When the House of Representatives rose at ten minutes past two on Saturday morning, it adjourned until 2.30 p.m. on Thursday. The Prime Minister (the Hon. J. G. Coates) stated that several Ministers and members desired to be present in ' their home towns for the purpose of receiving the visitors, and on Tuesday and Wednesday there would be functions in which the Government would be taking part,-thus making it difficult for the House to sit and transact business. Committees, however, would meet as usual during the week.

SOUVENIR PROGRAMME.

"HAEREMAI ! HAEREMAI !»

The souvenir programme compiled by the Christchurch Entertainment Committee has been issued. A striking feature of the cover design is the representation of the New Zealand and United States flags. The first page is devoted to a brief "Welcome" from the people of Canterbury, who extend to the. officers and men of the portion of the United States Navy visiting Christchurch "the most cordial welconie ihat the ties of kinship and amity can inspire, and trust that the stay of'.their visitors in this fortunate part of 'God's Own Country' will prove so entertaining and delightful as to enrich them with a wealth of happy memories." Then follows the following v.-elcoiuo in Maori:— "Haere mai! haere mai! E te manuhiri tua-rangi! I te taha atu o. to rangi, Haere mai! haere mai, haere mai!" ("Welcome, welcome! Travellers from the far horizon, ■ From the dim and distant sky-line, Welcome ye! Oh come, oh-come!'') Outline maps of the United States and of New Zealand, with a representation of clasped hands between, form the heading of this page. A picture of the Bridge of Kemembrance is given on the next page; and other illustrations depict Cathedral square, a boating scene on the Avon, and views of Lyttelton, Sumner, and New Brighton. Some concise information regarding Christchurch, the Garden City of New Zealand, is given on the two middlo pages. Details of the various entertainments, , excursions, and other engagements take up the remainder of the publication.

NOTES. Mr H. P. Bridge, American Consular agtnt, Christchurch, has accepted the offer of the Lyttelton Harbour Board for the use of.the tug Lyttelton on. which to make a call on Admiral (scliofield when the detachment of the Fleet arrives in Lyttelton Harbour.

CEREMONIAL PARADE.

WITH OR WITHOUT ARMS;? In accordance with instructions given at the latest meeting of the Entertainment committee, the general secretary (Mr "VV. E. Leadley) communicated with Mr James Hislop, the Government representative of the Fleefs and asked if the Government could not get the decision that the American sailors in the ceremonial march are to parade without arms, reconsidered. On Saturday Mr Hislop telegraphed: "Your leter of 6th, regarding permission to p;en on ceremonial march to carry arms. The Government will offer no objection if the Admiral decides to have the ceremonial march of American sailors with arms.; but this is entirely a matter within the discretion of the Admiral in charge himself."

SAILORS FOR TROTS.

METROPOLITAN CLUB'S INVITATION. At the trotting meeting on "Wednesday and Friday, the Metropolitan Club is providing luncheon free for an unlimited number of American sailors on those days from 11.15 a.m. It is suggested that the men inarch in a body to the dining-rooms on the racecourse, being subsequently. dismissed for tho afternoon. The club is also issuing an invitation to an unrestricted number of officers and their ladies to lunch oh the same days with the stewards.

School Children's Pares. Regarding the fares for school children from Christchurch to Lvttelton to visit the Fleet, the Canterbury Education Board has received advice that the railway fares for. children not exceeding 15 years of . age will be od, and for children over 15 years, including teachers and .committee incri supervising the transport of the children. Bd. Parents-and the general public travelling with school excursion parties -will pay the ordinary fares.

"A FRIENDLY PATROL."

THE Y.M.C.A. SERVICE. The local branch of the Y.M.C.A. will do all it can to assist th*. Citizens' Committee to entertain the men of the Fleet. It lias provided a guide and information bureau system, and it will lieli) with the billeting arrangements.

Billeting Centre. Working in conjunction with the Billet'ingf Committed the .Y.M.C.A. has provided accommodation for 500 men each night at the Boys' High School-, Worcester street, which pas been placed at the cominittee's disposal by the authorities. Supplies of stretchers and bedding have been brought in from Burnham Military Catnp, and considerable assistance has been given by tho local branch of the Public Works Department, under the direction of Mr F. Heinmajin. N<lt only will the visiting petty officers and sailors he provided with beds, but light refreshments will be served to them before they leave to catch the early morning train? to Lyttelton.

'V. \Bureaux and Guides.

Over one hundred Y.M.C.A. men and Bible Class members have been enlisted in an honorary patrol who will supplement the work of the, -enquiry bureaux-,. by befriending sailors, showing them round the city, and at nightdirecting them -to the billeting centre. An unambitious motor patrol has also been arranged. The "friendly patrol'' will be stationed at Lyttelton, at the Christchurch railway in the Square, and at the Y.M.C.A. building.

Refreshments tmd Music. The American Y.M.C.A. is said to Jbe a firm friend of the sailors, and the Christchurch Branch is endeavouring to 'gain a similar reputation. Music and refreshments will be provided every afternoon and evening at the Y.M.O.A. building, and the gymnasium and swimming pool will be Kept open, free for the sailors. After the tea at the Art Gallery on Sunday night a combined service, at which Archdeacon ,Haggitt, president of the Clerical Association, and the Rev. E. D. Patchett, president of the Christchurch Ministers' Association, will speak,, will be held. Mr Victor Peters and the choir of the Oxford terrace Baptist Church will sing, and Messrs T. W. Reese and G. C. Russell will assist with tho music. .

On one evening the Ladies' Auxiliary of the Y.M.C.A. will conduct one ol' the teas at the Art Gallery.

£ s d 20 dollars (double-eagle) . , 4 1 11 10 dollars (eagle) 2 1 0 5 dollars (half-eagle) , 1 0 •6 dollars (quarter-eagle) . 0 10 3 1 dollar . 0 4 1