U.S. Sailors Given More Hospitality Yesterday

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31740, 25 July 1968, Page 1

U.S. Sailors Given More Hospitality Yesterday

Christchurch people have opened their homes to the crews of the United States Navy warships Reeves and Mansfield, and Christchurch is losing its reputation as a cold, dead, inhospitable city to the 600 Americans who have been on two years duty in the Vietnam war theatre.

“How true, how true,” was the reaction of the men yesterday when they read “The Press” article with the words “cold, dead, inhospitable” in the headlines, a senior officer said last evening. But things changed yesterday, perhaps because of the article.

The ships had been “besieged" with offers of private hospitality, the officer said, and men who had been ashore on extended leave, but returned to the ships disappointed with the weather and the lack of friendliness, were ashore again. Everyone from the Reeves who could be ashore last evening was, the officer said.

This was different from the previous evening. When he talked to the men returning from leave he had found that almost without exception they were disappointed in Christchurch. “Perhaps the weather, perhaps your English reserve, helped, but we felt that the unfortunate publicity that we might be carrying some dread disease reacted against us,” he said. “In fact, every man on the ships is healthy.” The first two days were far from enjoyable for most of the men, although there had been some entertainment, but he was satisfied that the last three days in Christchurch would make amends. Yesterday afternoon there was a sports afternoon at the R.N.Z.A.F. Base, Wigram, which had been enjoyed, and the Army had also entertained some of the men, he said. A dance In the Caledonian

Hall on Tuesday evening organised by the Canterbury Public Relations Office, the Navy League and H.M.N.Z.S. Pegasus, was attended by about 250 sailors and 175

; girls. The sailors said they r had had a good time. s The North American Club . also entertained between 20 ’ and 30 sailors in private i homes.