PASSING BLUFF.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18457, 11 August 1925, Page 8

PASSING BLUFF.

THE FIRST SALUTE. UNIQUE VIEW OF FLOTILLA. (SPICIAL TO "THE PHESS.") | DUNEDIX. August 10. A special message to the "Star" states that the unexpected nows that the destroyer flotilla would nass Bluff about 4 p.m. was rapidly broadcast among the residents yesterday afternoon, with the immediate- result that various points of vantage on "Ward's Parade Ocean Beaeh and tho Signal Station on Bluff Hill, were the hurried destinations of one and all. The spectacle of twenty-seven destroyers, headed hy tho light cruiser Omaha, passing in two uninterrupted lines botwecn Stewart Island and tho mainland at a distance not three miles from the latter, is one not likely to be forgotten by thoso fortunate enough to witness it. By 3 p.m., from Bluff Hill, tho approaching vessels could ho seen close to tho horizon —mere erey blotches, gradually giving shape to separate craft as tho intervening space lessened. The spectators could appreciate trie organised formation. Tho cruiser Omaha, with two attendant destroyers, was in tho lead. On her left were thirteen of the smaller craft arid these were balanced by twelve more on her right, a total of twenty-eight vessels. The above formation was slightly altered by a wellorganised movement prior to passing Bluff Point, the w'hole fleet converging into two separate lines. In turn, each vessel dipped to the New Zealand Ensign flying from the signal station. From such an elevation minute details could easily bo observed with the aid of glasses, two aeroplanes on the deck of the- mother ship being discernable. The flotilla headed east passing between Ruapuko and Dog Islands, gradually disappearing into tho dusk till onlv several distant clouds of smoko told of the presence of the largest fleet that had ever negotiated Foveaux Strait.

DESTROYERS' TENDER.

PROVISION SHIP IN DUNEDIN. (special to "the press.") DUNEDIN, August 10. Captain J. B. Gray, an unassuming officer with not tho slightest suggestion of any of those mannerisms which no doubt niany New Zcalanders expect to find in tho American, gave a reporter some particulars of tho Melville, of which he is in command. The ship, he said, might prove, disappointing to those who imagined it would be bristling with guns. It was, in fact, a tender, its.function bQjng to provide provisions for the nineteen destroyers which formed this destroyer unit. It was also fitted with repair shops, all work for the unit being carried out here. Amongst other things, Captain Gray pointed out that all the bread was also baked on board.

"No, very few of us have ever been to New Zealand- before," added Captain Gray. "Ono or two of tbe officers wore with the American Fleet when it visitod New Zealand in 1908, and naturally we are all looking forward to our stay here." He stated that they had had a fair trip across, but added that he thought the TasnianSca was "a bit of a rough place." '' This place reminds mo very much of Queenstown," he ventured in answer to another query. "I commanded a destroyer during the war and our headquarters was Queenstown. I guess I know a good part of the English and Irish coasts off by heart, as a result of that little experience. I hope our men behave themselves, as I think they will. There was no cause for complaints in Melbourne, though I- am afraid some of them liked Australia a little too well."

AT WELLINGTON. (PEESS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM.) WELLINGTON,: August 10. The Under-Secretary of Internal Affairs, Mr J. Hislop, received the following wireless message last evening from the flagship of tho United States Fleet: "Admiral Coontz plans to lead the Fleet into Port Nicholson at 11.30 on Tuesday morning."

SEAPLANE SALVAGED

QUESTION OF OWNERSHIP, (AUSTRALIAN AND X.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION.) SYDNEY, August 10. The seaplane from the United States battleship Pennsylvania which crashed into the water on July 31st has been located and raised by some Sydney yachtsmen. The 'piano is in fairly good condition except for the wings.

The question of legal ownership has yet to be decided, but it is thought it is still the property of the United States Navy.

SOVEREIGNS AGAIN ?

VALUE OF U.S. MONEY. For the convenience of the public who may be tendered American coins during the visit of the Fleet, it may be stated that the approximate csehaw'e value of different amount;; is as follows :

As many of the men will have been paid in sovereigns in Australia thii now unfamiliar coin may again find it* way into temporary circulation j n v„ * Zealand. ,

I CITIZENS' BALL, i

J AX ASSURED SUCCESS. There is every .indication that tlio Citizens' Ball to the commissioned officers of the American Fleet, to be held in the Caledonian Hall to-morrow evening, will be highly successful from every point of view. In order to as-certain that all the arrangements for the function arc-satis-factory, a moeling of the Ball (.'ommittco was held yesterday afternoon at the Caledonian Hall, Mr ,T. J. Donga !l presiding over :i large attendance. 4 was found that the arrangements were well in hand. ~..-, , From reports made by individual members of the committee it was ascertained that to date at least. 250 tickets had been sold. It is expected that the remainder—2oo— will have been disposed of bv to-morrow morning. A feature of the ball will be the special scheme of decorative lighting by electricity. It is also hoped that :i large supply of tree-ferns may arrive from the West Coast to. decorate the ballroom.

CITY DECORATIONS. 'The work of decorating several public buildings was in hand yester-day. The outline of tho Cathedral square front of the Government Departmental buildings will bo shown by electric lights; and tho Building will bo decorated with flags. .Streamers of flaps will constitute the decorative scheme at the Post Office. The front of the tramway sTieiler 7n Cathedral square has upon it tho message in large letters, "Welcome to our friends of the American Navy." The rocf is decorated with greenery. Coloured electric lights wih bo displayed across Manchester street in tho vicinity of the Municipal Chambers. • In Durham street, at the entrance to tho Art' Gallon-, a string of red, white and blue electric lights will be suspended across the roadwav; ana at tho intersection of Armagh and Durham streets two strings of red, white, and blue electric lights have been arranged diagonally from each corner. Another string is stretched across the roadway in Armagh street, a little to the westward of the bridge.

NOTES. During the stay of the American warships in Lyttelton the Hallway Department will ran a late train- from Christchurch to tho port every night, the hour of departure being 11.30. The Canterbury Progress League lias ordered, on behalf of the League, 5000 booklets, setting out the attractions of tho province, to be distributed to the members of the Fleet on arrival at Lytteltort. ,

£ s. d. 10 dols.. 1? 1 0 G dols. 1 4 o dols. ... .1 o 0 -1 dols. ... 0 Hi ■1$ 3 dols ... 0 12 3.} 2 dols. ... 0 8 •> 1 dol. ... ... 0 4 1 50 cents 0 2 Oi '2?\ cents ... 0 1 u 10 cents ... 0 0 <J € C'ClTtS 0 o 3 o cents 0 0 9V 1 cent - o 0 Oi