THE SQUADRON.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 102, 23 January 1908, Page 9

THE SQUADRON.

'KING EDWARD'S ACCESSION ."celebrated. A', large crowd congregated in the vicinity, of the warships' landing stage yesterday, and watched the movements of the small . craft-, coming .and going with untiring interest throughout the day. The two small, steamers, Itiwaka and Moturoa, conveyed oxcursionists during tbo day. but the journey, though short, was anytning but pleasant. The warships, decked with bunting, presented a fine spectacle. The display or : .bunting, was considered by many to be in. honour of Wellington's Anniversary, but this idea ' was wrong.. The anniversary of tb# Accession of . I\mg Edward to the Throne ,was celebrated yesterday by the British Navy, throughout the world, and • the Australian Squadron did its share on this auspicious occasion...'A,Royal salute, of 21 guns, was ,fired by each,, of !.the warships in . port at noon, and the.booming of the guns delighted the juveniles, but gave to tho elders a small' idea of what a din there would be in actual warfare. The bands from the Challenger . .and. Powerful played the National Anthem ; on Jioard the, flagship, the music being aud-ible-on shore.;

, i.Aii epoch in tho history of tho Challenger happened yesterday. Admiral Rawsou, somo time ago, presented a cup for competition amongst the twelve-oared cutters belonging to the warships of the Squadron., Crews from the Powerful and Challenger had twice competed for the trophy at Sydney, and on each occasion tlie Challenger's team proved victorious. The conditions' of the cup were; that it bad to be won three times in succession before it becamo the property of the. crew. Yesterday's race resulted in another victory for tho Challenger's twelve, so the cup is now their property. The winning crew consisted of seven colonials and live Imperials, who all received a great ovation, as tho finish was rather exciting., .

General leave was granted oti the vossols yesterday; extending from 1 p.m. until 7 p.m. to-day. Some of the cutters used for conveying the men ashore greatly resembled many of our local tramcars at' 5 p.m., aa they were-literally packed with men. A large number ol' the men on leave spent un enjoyable time at the .Mission to Seamen's picnic and concert.

I can eonoeivo no nation ir. which Socialism is loss likely to take root than ours. Wild, well-meaning .Socialists who air schemes, which tho common sense of tho country, knows aro utterly unpractical only find few adherents outside the ranks oJF those who welcome any plan that their authors assure thorn will better their lot ii tho expense of ■ their independence.-— "Loudon IruU> t "'- •