"A THIN TIME."

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

"A THIN TIME."

WELLINGTON THAWS. THOUSANDS VISIT SHIPS. (WICIJU. TO "rax WELLINGTON". August IT. Our friends of tho U.S. Navy nave had rather a thin timo here, but this has boon largely due to weather conditions. Except on tho day of their arrival, and yesterday and to-day, the weather has been vile. Bitter, blustering, wot southoriies do not make for a cheery outlook, nor for friendliness with strangers. Under such conditions she average man is very much inclined to stay bosido his own firo with a book and a glass, rather than to seek the company of people whom he has not met. Now that ho has had a fine Sunday and an absolutely glorious Monday, he baa thawed, and tho stranger within oar gates has been receiving the recognition and tho hospitality which are bis due. On Sunday, after the galo had spent itself and sunahino and e&lm again prevailed, tho Wellington man was himself again, and ever since has been doing his best to shovr Undo Sam that he is oven more than a cousin or an uncle. Seeing the Ships. In tho bright, though still cold, suashino that provailcd on Sunday after* noon, thousands in packed " special trains thronged tho wharves to see the big warships, and, if possible, to get ou them. Thero was at times such a block that the wharf gates had to be closed. Probably not a tenth of those who did get on to the wharvos got on the ship;, but they seemed content to wander about, to gazo at tho ships and chat with tho sailors. Last night the ships wore splendidly illuminated with innumerable electric lights, and thero was a magnificent searchlight display, tho like of which has not been seen before in this country. The great beams from the powerful searchlights of the big ship* were kept waving and criss-crossing against a background of black, drifting cloud. Thousands of people from their own homes on tho heights wero able to witness tho display. Private Hospitality. Tho moro ono sees of the personnel of the Fleet tho moro ono likes it, sad now both officers and men are being privately entertained. The conduct of the men, considering all the ciicwMhmm and the numbors ashore, has been all, or nearly all, that conld be derived. It is perhaps only to be expected that mme of the moro irresponsible of the merry blades should have their fling, aad ia doing so find out that New Zealand "Four X" is somewhat more potent than tho "near beer" of their native land. FUTURE MIGRANTS? SAILORS ENQUIRE ABOUT PROSPECTS. (3PICUI. TO "THE nzss.") DUNEDIN, August 17. Hundreds of American Bailors vera guests in private homes daring tko week-end, and both hosts and gpests tell of having enjoyed the riaita. lie American boys seem very fond of homo life, and no other form of hcwpualny pleases many of them so muen as u bo invited to meet families ia their homes. The boys expect thai their second week in i>unedin will he much kappwr. Tho people havo opened their hearts, and their front doors, to the lads, ud tho lads mako no secret of their joy about tho change. They confess that at first, the reserve of the lhnedm fo(k pusaled them, bat since they hare tasted ihe warm domestie hwptildy for which the Scots, at Doaedin and elsewhere, are famous, they Ma frdiiifl ever so much happier. . Thero is ampio evidence that tin sailors are interested in more than the scenery of tne country they am visiting. They aro most «"«nt to obtain reliable information on the material resources of New Zealand, tha character of its industries, and the pay workers receive. It was probably no part of President Coolidge's ptaa to encourage the young aws of the ' United States Navy to migrate wbm he sanctioned this cruise, Nit then Is not much doubt that many of the kja are thinking now of returning to Nw Zealand or Australia when thcr on get out of the navy. Sunshine and Hospitality. To-day Rear-Admiral Marrell aad staff visited Port Chalmers, where the Mayor and councillors extended a v«U come. The men accepted private hospitality and in us afternoon a baseball exhibition was given by teams from the dcaUmys*a Stoddart and Decatur. In the woiln there was the usual round of daaees and other entertainments.