LIBERTY AGAIN.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18463, 18 August 1925, Page 9

LIBERTY AGAIN.

TRIP TO OTIRA. PRAISE OP THE SCENERY. A GOOD DAY. Tho usually quiet township of Otira hardly recognised itself yesterday. At midday all was hurry and bustle. The railway dining-room staff had been reinforced, tho hotcLkeeper had fitted up his cellar, and the general storekeeper had engaged extra counter-hands. The reason for all this unwonted activity was tho advent of 75 officers :ui<i 000 sailors of the U.S. Navy, who were taivon for an outing by tho .Excursions Committee. ''Sure, I hopped out bright and early," was tho current remark as tno special train pui'led out of Lyttelton at 7.10 a.m. And tho members of the "Excursions Committee, who joined the train at Chnstchurcli at 7.30 a.m., 'also "hopped out early." They wero Mcßsrs A. Dudley Dobsou, E. J. Poison, W. J. Lo Cren, J. H. Merrie, J, 8. Nevillo (Town C'erk), ]'. Ashworth, W. E. Leadloy, H. E. Kennett, J. McLean, It. U. Owen, A. D. Ford, and Mrs AY. S. Bean. With cameras bulging coat pockets, tho sailors gavo every cvidenco that they wero out for a good day, and, by their remarks, during their stay at Otira and on tho return journey, they had it. The weather was beautiful, with an unclouded sky and bright sunshine all day. The temperature in the morning was decidedly low, but, with tho steam pipes connected up, conditions in the railway carriages wore comfortable. Each carriage was equipped with a case of apples, and in one tho officers had music from a portable gramophone. Tho visitors were greatly interested in tho sccnerv on tho outward journey. Tho snowline was reached at Springfield, and a considerable drop in the temperature was noticed until, emerging from tho tunnel at Otira, bright sunshine made conditions more comfortable. and tho snow was well up the hillsides. Many Welcomes. Afi various places along the line, farmers, their wives, and children waved American flags at the train, and at all wayside stations thero were demonstrations of welcome. A stop for refrcs-h- - made at Springfield on both the outward and inward journeys, where hot coffee and biscuits were sold with startling rapiditj-. At Arthur s Pass were a number °f young ladies with cameras, waiting to use up rolls of film, but after a fow snaps they dropped the cameras for the snowball, and for about a quarter of an hour a hot snow-fight raged along the platform, tho officers, and even the Commander, joining in the fun. Ono passenger on the train received special attention frum cameras. It "Spike," tho U.S.S. Litchfield's bull terrier mascot, and he was made to pose on tho station and in the snow while various ladies "took a snap." On arrival at Cragieburn the Excursions Committee was joined by Mr • K. McAlpine (chairman of the iawera Countv Council), who took nyiuy of the officers and men under nis care and explained to them tho delights of tho snow country. At Otira. On arrival at Otira the men were a rafted into sections, and given luncheon in the railway dining-room, where special arrangements had been made. Both tho culinary and waiting epartments had been reinforced, and .ivc sittings trore necessary, each being in charge of two members of die committee After lunch cameras wero focussod on points of interest, tho general stare folded, and many of the sailors treated themselves to the various deliracies in the way of tinned fruit, etc. offe r- Others got well up , the bush and snow-covered lull"Klos, while grouus of officers made 'JXt- ; ir Slotls further" afield. p Ire senior officer fharsre of the P aJ J Commander I£. B. ood-

* Sailors Granted All-Night Leave. bay in the mountains. Offers of Private Hospitality. The City having outlived a reputation of "hooliganism," Rear-Admiral Schofield has decided that men of the United States Fleet will be given all-night shore leave tonight and for the remaining nights that the ships are in port. The curtailment held last night, about 200 men having to return to the ships at 5.25 p.m. About 300 remained ashore to attend the teas and dance at the Art Gallery, the "At Home" at the Navy League Hall, and the Masonic gathering. Yesterday's main event was the railway excursion to Otira. Seventy-five officers and 500 men made the journey and were lucky enough to have brilliant sunshine all the way. Snow lay thick at Otira, and the visitors were impressed with the grandeur of the mountain range. There has been a spontaneous growth of hospitality in Christchurch. Through the agency of the Y.M.C.A., fifty sailors were taken to private homes last night for dinner and an entertainment, and already another fifty have been arranged for to-night People have even left their names for Wednesday and Thursday nights. Last night many would-be hosts called at the Y.M.C.A., but found that the men who had been granted special leave by the Rear-Admiral had already been booked up. The sunny, bracing weather attracted many visitors to the ships yesterday. In town there was nothing that, by any stretch of the imagination, could be called a disturbance. The Naval Patrol had a very quiet time. "Things are getting so slack," said a senior Patrol officer last night, "that we will have to shut up shop. The Patrol is not justifying its existence at present."

worth, Executive OfSccr of the U.S.S. Omaha and ho stated to a representative of "The Press" who accompanied the party: "This scenery is wonderful. 1 am sure wo have all enjoyed the trip very much. Everybody has been most hospitable and the outing has been thoroughly delightful to all concerned."

"Have You Tobeggans?''

Some of tho sailors asked if *snowshoes, toboggans or skis were to be hired, and were disappointed when told that the nearest suitable placo for experiencing the delights of Switzerland was Mount C-ook. The opinion was freely expressed that if such scenery wore in tho United States, it would be impossible to keep the people away from it. "Sure, you should have a depot for snow equipment here. Yfiii don't know what you're missing," said one to tho oldest inhabitant. The latter bit hard on his pipe stem and said: "Well, take a look at our electric train, and if that doe® not make you feel at home, I don't know what will."

All at Ease.

Trips of this nature have done much towards breaking down the shyness and reserve noticeable in both Americans and Now Zealanders, and yesterday the men opened out and made a point of getting into closer touch with the people of tho backblocks. That spirit was heartily reciprocated, and the result was a better and clearer understanding on both sides, making for the thorough enjoyment of hosts and guests. After such an expression of mutual goodwill, it is safe to predict that the thousands of friendships made will continue till tho end of tho visit.

Tho Return Journey,

The return journey to Christcnuroh was commenced at 3.50 p.m., and tbo train arrived in the city at 7.45 p.m., full of happy sailors and empty cameras.

Approximately 100 mon wero given leave to attend a high tea at the Art Gallery, followed by a dance. The balance of the men went straight down to Lyttelton by the same train, well pleased with tho excursion.

Timaru To-day,

To-day about 60 officers and 500 men will go on a southern trip. About 100 will disembark at Temuka and the rest will continue on to Timaru, where they will spend the day. Motor trip}} will be made to tho various pointfc of interest in the southern town and the men will return the same day. Commander Woodworth will be the senior officer in charge. BRINGING GIFTS. MAORIS GUESTS OF ADMIRAL. Yesterday morning the Maoris of Rapaki, with some from Port Levy, were the guests of Rear-Admiral P. 11. Sehofield on the flagship Omaha. Tho party numbered about forty, and they were shown all over tho flagship. Tho ship's band played selections, much to tho enjoyment of the Maoris, and refreshments were served. The occasion was mado one for tho giving of further gifts by the Maoris. Captain P. J. Home, Commander of the Omaha, received a handsome piu piu (Maori robe), a gift from the women of Rapaki to Mrs Home, who was present at the pa on Sunday, and also a handsomely-worked flax kit. The Admiral's aide-de-camp, Lieutenant Lowell Cooper, was presented with a beautiful feather piu piu.

SEARCHLIGHT DISPLAY.

The United fctates warships in port at Lytteltou gavo another searchlight display last evening between t and 8 o'clock. Quite a number of people who iad visited tho ships in the afternoon .emained to see the display, which was Jso witnessed by a large number ot local residents. The darkness of the ni"ht and the very clear atmosphere combined to make the display eron more brilliant than tic previous one.