THE BOYS IN BLUE

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 213, 3 June 1919, Page 6

THE BOYS IN BLUE

WELCOME TO H.M.S. NEW ZEALAND AND LORD JELLICOE

MEETING TO ARRANGE THE ■ CELEBRATIONS

There was not a very large attendance at the public meeting called by the Mayor for 430 yesterday afternoon to make arrangements for the reception here of the officers and men of H.M.S. New Zealand, and, later, of Admiral Jcllicoe.' It may have been tlio awkward time at which the meeting was called which had such' a restrictive influence on the attendance. Most of those who did attend were members of the Wellington branch of the Nn,v,y League, and naturally keen on the coming functions. His Worship (Mr. J. P. Luke), who took the chair, said that he had called the meeting to consider the wolcoine to be! given to Admiral Jellicoe and his men. After the record had been put up by the British Navy inthe late war, and the part that the New Zealand had played, it was their duty to see that they were made absolutely at home whilst they were in our midst. On behalf of the citizens' of Wellington and the Wellington City Council, he would go as far as to say that it was an obligation—a loving obligation—to !>e : associated with the reception. The first news received was that the New Zealand would come here this month without the Admiral, and later on the Admiral would come. He did not know if anyone had anything to report, but ho had heard that the warship would not now arrive until some time in July. That, however, would not prevent them from setting up committees and going ahead with the arrangements. Though he had called a meeting of citizens, in his opinion the organisation of the Navv League should play an important, part, as it had so largely helped, since and prior to tho war, to build up* a strong Navy to fight the common enemy. The upkeep of the Navy was a tremendous responsibility, and had it not been for the Navy League's work the Navy would not have been so strong as it was when war broke out and'found it ready. In this connection he was in the dual capacity of Mayor of the city and president of the league, and ho did hope that the, league would assist very largely in carrying out tho functions in connection with the visit of the New Zealand. At a previous meeting he had mentioned that he would ask tho Citv Council to make the ' r pwn Hall a sort of home for the Navy League while the vessel was in port. He had pleasure in saying that the council had agreed that the hall could be used as a home for--"Jack ashore." If there was any other way in which Hip cmineil could assist he was,sure it would do so. A certain amount of money "would be needed, and ha proposed to make an appeal lo the citizens in the ordinary way. Their first duty, he thought, should be to set up a Finance Committee, and with the consent of the meeting he would submit names which he thought would meet the case. These were: Messrs. -T. B. Harcourt (cliairman). C. R. Smith, .TRmes Macintosh. H. Beauchamp, T. Forfrth,. A. F. Wiren, C. G, Wilson, G L. Stewart. Lan Duncan. W. D. Stewart, J. G. Hflrkness, A. R. Atkinson. Colonel A. F. Roberts, and all bank managers.

The Mayor moved'the adoption of these names us a committee, and the meeting apnroved. ; The Mayor then moved that tho Reception and Entertainment Committee consist of the following:—Colonel G. F. C. Campbell, Captain Chudlpv, Messrs. Barry Keesing (chairman), j. P. Firth, B. Darroeh. P.. W. Shallcrass. C. W. Cliilman, M. A. Carr, J. B. Harcourt, A. Marryatt. H.. F. Wood, H. F. von Haast, A. W. Newton, Bernard Page, A. E, Whvto, Captain A. H. Munro, Messrs. G. IT. Stewart, T! Forsyth, and W. E. Fuller. -These names were approved, and,, with the addition of'the names of the- ladies' executive of the league and the members of the Reserves Committee of the City Council, the committee was constituted.

On the motion of the 'Mayor, Messrs. Jap. Macintosh, -A. F, 'Wiren, and the Town Clerk were appointed treasurers., and Messrs. R. W. Shallcrass and Robert Darroeh secretaries.

Enumerating what was in the .minds of some of them, it was proposed, said the chairman, that the sailors should be entertained at a luncheon, and (here would bo afternoon teas and light suppers at the hall, and,.if the weather were propitious, a sports meeting for the men. It had been suggested that the men—there were 91)0 of them—should be (riven the run ot the tramcars, but he did'not think that would work very well, for if hatches of 50 or, 60 sailors took charge of a car it might be inconvenient for the public, who had to get to and from their homes, l'he City Council would endeavour to have a suitable number of observation cars available each ..morning between 7.30 and noon.

The entertainments, the Mayor suggested, should be left to the Entertainments Committee to arrange. In connection with the children he suggested that the school authorities should bo asked to organise the arrangements. The children should be a distinct feature, and they should be assisted to do' their part as it would be a time to remember all their lives. For that, reason he suggested that Mr. T. Forsyth (chairman of the Education Board) and Mr. G. L. Stewart (secretary) should be members of all committees, so that they would know the innei' working of the affair. He ,also thought that the Headmasters' .Association should be asked'to make the arrangements in' connection .with the children. ■ j Mr. R. Darroch said the visit of the children to the New Zealand six years ago was an important feature. On that occasion the children were brought from all parts of the country to the ports lo see the vessel, and now. that she was an historical ship the interest would be even greater. Seeing that the children in the country wonld be gettjng up at about 3 a.m. to get ready to catch the excursion trains, and would, after a long and tiresome journey arrive in Wellington, where they were strangers, he hoped that proper rest places would be provided for them, with,, strong) committees to lookafter their needs. He suggested that the Harbour Board might loan some of its sheds for the purpose, and that the committee would provide lizht refreshments. Tie felt tlmt they should do this, as the town lived upon" the country. New Zealand to Berth. Mr. J. G. Harki'ess said that H.M.S. Now Zealand would h»rth at the outer (northern side) of the King's Wharf, and the sheds on .tjint. wharf would be available for the children, so that Ihcv would be in close conjunction with the shi'». and lie able to go straight on board. (IJi'nr, hear.) Mrs. Darling "said that with the approval of the Mayor and council if was nropnsed to entertain the blueiackets on the lines of a club, much in the manner of the soldiers' club. The p/'onosa' was (o screen off that nortion of (lie Town Hall nndor the gallery «t ll>n snulhern end of the hall, and 'tarnish it as a club. Dances could be arranged to take place on the other nart of the same floor, and she thought I'M a sepf.rale room for ward officers might: V arranged. She woi'ised tJlat p. sub-committee consisting oi~esdames T/iike, Earle, and Coleridge I, the (luncef-

The Mayor nave Mrs. Darlinp the assurance that tho committee could screen off any >irt of the hull IVv wished to. They were as welcome to it as though it were their own place. 'Hear, hear.) On the suggestion of the Mayor the arrangements for the ball to be given in honour of Lord .Tr-llicoe were left to tlin Reception Committee. Mr. B. Keesinjr, sneaking about tho Tecention arnwremonls. snid it was i>ro. posed that all the small boats available should meet the New Zealand as she came into the harbour. Then there won I '* be tho luncheon at the Town Hull, and, if the weather peimitted, a snnrls meeting the same afternoo". The Indies, would take charge of the Naval Club, and would provide light ten and sitniinr to tho men free of charge. Captain Hn"Thompson had mentioned that a football match might bo arranged. The. shin had a good team—soccer, ho believed—am! they might be. able to arrange a match with n local representative, team. If that could be put on at the Basin Reservo it would be a great day. Mr. Darroch raised the question of the private entertainment of tho men. If it were only known that it was wanted, ho believed thero were thousands 'of peoplo who would bo ready to entertain batches of the men. ' At Papeote. some of our

men were most hospitably entertained b,v the residents on tho spiir of the moment. Captain Chiulley said that as a sailor he had visited ninny strange ports, ami he ventured" to say' that nothing could be more acceptable than a littlo homo attention. It would do the men good, and Keep thorn out of less desirable places. Mrs. Luke suggested that the names and addresses of all people who proposed to entertain the sailors privately should lie submitted to the committee. ■ In conclusion the Mayor 6aid that ho was sure that Wellington would rise to the occasion, and bestow all the hospitality possible on the visitors. A meeting of tbe Finance Committee followed the general meeting.