A WELCOME TO "JACK"

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3031, 19 March 1917, Page 6

A WELCOME TO "JACK"

FUNCTION AT THE TOWN HALL NAVAL MEN HONOURED SPEECH BY SIR J- ALLEN At a. few minttf.es before 1 p.m. on Saturday the city was stirred by a parade of bluejackets, practically the first we have seen for many days. The fact that the men bad been on ditty in close touch with enemy forces for over two years gave the episode an. additional value and the imagination a spur. When the "boys in navy blue" stepped out to the tune of — "It's the Navy, ■ v The British Navy, That keeps our foes at bay," the Saturday crowds that thronged Streets felt an unaccustomed something pricking their hearts. Headed by the Trentham Band, the naval draft, Tinder Lioutenant-Commander Marrell, marched through the city to the Town Hall, where they were met by the Mayor (Mr. J. P. Luke), who was standing in the entrance with the Acting-Prime Minister (Sir James Allen), BrigadierGeneral Sir Alfred Robin, and Captain Hall-Thompson. There was also a bevy of ladies to do honour to the representatives of the Navy. Within the big h'all the tables were laden with good things, which were done ample justice to by those present. The Mayor presided; on his right was" Captain Hall-Thompson, and on his left Sir James Alien. At_ the offieial_ tablo was also Colonel Gibbon (Chief of Staff), Lieutenant-Colonel Tate (Adjut-ant-General), the Hons. W. Fraser, J. R. MocDonakl, W. H. Herries, Dr. Poraare, Dr. A. K. Newman, M.P.. Colonel A. de Bmudon. Mrs. Luke, and Miss Robin The band occupied the stage, the decorations, of which made the hall a pleasant sight. After luncheon the toast o* "The King" was honoured, the Trentham Band supplying the National Anthem.

The Mayor's Welcome. In proposing the health of tho "British Navy," the Mayor extended a welcome to the naval men present, not only from Wellington, but on behalf of the whole of New Zealand. Much had happened since they had first pulled out to enter on tho war programme. Since then they had dono splendid service abroad, as part of the British Navy. Sir. James Allen would do finer justice to the Nayy than he could, and so would Captain Hall-Thompson, who could not only speak good words, hut had performed brave deeds. He asked the assemblage to rise and do honour to the British Navy, for were it not for the Navy they would not be a Dominion of the Empire to-day. (Applause.) Mr. Luke also added a word of warm appreciation for the ladies who had assisted in making tho luncheon so successful. The toast was drunk to the music of "Rule Britannia," played by the Trentham Band. Sir James Allen's Tribute. Sir James Allen, endorsing the toast, commenced by moving a hearty, vote of thanks to the ladies who had prepared andy served so excellent a luncheon. It was some little attempt to acknowledge the services of the Navy to Now Zealand and the Empire. (Applause.) To Captain Hall-Thompson and the men with him. he expressed tho joy ho felt bo see them back again, and was glad to know that so many had landed fib and well. It was with regret, however, that they remembered that some of the comrades of the men they wore welcoming had loft their bonesi in places other than in New Zealand or tho Homeland. They had made tho greatest sacrifice tbey could. If the story could not bo told that day of tho work of tho officers and crow they now' met, time would put events into tho. proper perspective, and the story of their work would figure in the annals of history. When that record was written it would bo one thab they would all bo proud to read. (Applause.) It would show that none of the men present would ever desert a comrade. He knew of the period where the situation called for energy, intelligence, and sacrifice, and of the stage where more men gave up their lives. They could not read without regret the sad circumstances in which men had died —died nobly—in the execution of their' duty. Thai' had to thank Provideico at seeing some return from that purgatory safe. Sir James Allen spoke of the wonderful endurance of the men who had endured the monotony and climate month after month without complaint. "I believe that Captain Hall-Thomp-son and Ins men have hardly ever slept off their ship the whole time they havo been away," he added, "and that in parts of the world we would not like to live in, yet had borne it all with equanimity and cheerfulness. In situations where tho heart of some men would sink into their boots, tho heart of the British sailor came to the top. Their courage, endurance, cheerfulness, and alertness were the things that had made the nation what it is, and when such virtues are associated with courage, wisdom, and honesty of purpose on the part of the rulers, it meant the success of arms on sea or land." (Applause.) Sir James Allen welcomed the men to New Zealand. He hoped they would get about the country and go away in perfect health and the pink of condition, ready to take a further in the fight that was yet to ho won. To the New Zealandcrs among them (there are only-a dozen or so) he extended to theni a warm welcome back to their own land. He hoped they, too, would he restored to perfect health and strength, and when the call of duty came, he hoped they would answer it like their brothers who went Homo. A Way They Have in the Navy. Captain Hall-Thompson, alter a jocular introduction said: "Sir James Allen has told you what fine fellows wc aro (laughter and applause). But we can justly claim, I think, that the recent advance on and capature of was assisted to a threat extent by our work. (Loud applause.) For the officers and men it had been a dull lime spent in a filthy climate. It was not so bad for me, as I was i-u.nu.ing the show, and was interested. We chugged about in a climate that is simply filthy, and there were times when lor months the men never s»t a foot on shore, and it was all eery monotonous and un- - conit'orUbk, but they And 'stuck it out' »\cil, and kept as cheerful as possible." (Applause.) The Commodore had written, hefor« they lets the sceno of their late iterations, expressing his keen appreciation of the excellent work performed during the period tho ship had 'ueeii under hi.-: orders.

Captain Hall-Thompson said i-hoy had seen a gogd deal of the main New Zealand Expeditionary Force—not perhaps to speak tc, but they had been them ir.;q\ient!y— almost daily at one lime. Incidentally. Captain Hall-Thompson said he know thev would all like to know when the war would mid. It was September 19 —ho dreamt on January 6. and was celebratinr it at the Hotel Cecil. (Laughter") He thanked thorn onco m.irc" lor the honour that had been done him, his officers, and men. and called for cheers for Sir James Allen,

tho Mayor, ami the ladies. And they were cheers I The Army. His Worship thon proposed the toast of "The Army." Our Army had made great sacrifices, and its gallant deeds and heroism were making a world wonder. The toast was ofurfk to the inspiriting strains of "The British Grenadiers." Brigadier-General Sir Alfred Robin responded to the toast. At the conclusion of th~e function the naval men, now gaily deoorated with flowers by the ladies, lined np in Lower Cuba- Street, and again headed by the band, paraded through the streets to the waterside.