VISIT OF THE FLEET

Dominion, Volume 18, Issue 179, 23 April 1924, Page 13

VISIT OF THE FLEET

SCHOOL CHILDREN TO INSPECT BATTLE-CRUISERS COUNTRY PUPILS AND THE STRIKE Vice-Admiral Sir Frederick Field, of the Special Service Squadron, has intimated, through the Minister of Internal Affairs, that the battlecruisers Hood and Repulse will bo thrown open for public inspection by children on April 26, 28, 29, 30 (Repulse only), and May 1,2, 3, and 7, and has ruggested that up to 4000 children per day might be managed. Ho has also suggested that children who are members of the. Navy League might be allowed to visit the vessels on Saturday next, and the league is making all arrangements to that end.. They will be picked up at the most convenient points by trams, and will leave the cars at the Bunny Street comer, proceeding thenco along Bunny Street, down Waterloo Quay, and Hinemoa Street, to Fryatt JJuay, where they will assemble at 9.45 a.m. They will be marshalled on board. (by way of Shed 39), at 10 a.m.j and will, after an hour and a half’s inspection, depart by way cf the wharf towards the King’s Wharf. Should the railway strike be settled, country children to the number of 10,000 or 12,000 will come to. Wellington from as far away as Wanganui on the one coast, and on the other. Each draft as it comes along will be met by members of the Navy Ix>a<xue Reception Committee, who will direct the children to the wharf, near the Pipitea Wharf, and after the inspection they will be taken to Shod 39, where each child will receive two sandwiches, a piece of block cake, an apple, a bag of lollies, and a drink of ginger beer. The children are being asked to bring their own drinking utensils. An itinerary has been worked out by the railway authorities, but such arrangements depend entirely .on the developments in the railway situation during the next few days. The Headmasters’ Association is attending to the school children of Wellington City, and the point as to whether they will be marshalled in schoril grounds or lacxjompaniect by parents or friends has yet to be decided.

TOWN HALL TO BE ILLUMINATED.

In addition to tho Government Buildings that are to be especially illuminated on the occasion of the visit of the British Fleet to Wellington this and next week, tho Town Hal] is to sparkle at night.. The front of the Town Hall, with its fine portico and columns lends itself admirably to this form of decoration, and the facade, when picked out in red, white, and blue lights, should bo a fascinating sight.

CONCERT BY THE H.M.S- HOOD CONCERT PARTY.

Mr. Charles Finch occupied the chair at a meeting of the Fleet Entertainment Committee, held in the Citv Council Chamber last evening. It was stated that in connection with the general catering for local children and the general nublic at the wharf it was thought necessary to establish in shed 29 (opposite King’s Wharf) a canteen where local children and tho public generally could purchase, at city rates,, light refreshments in the form of pics, cakes, and soft drinks, leaving shed 39 (nearer the Pipitea Wharf) free for the country children. It was announced by the secretary that some alterations in the programme of evening functions for the men had been found necessary. The list had been amended as follows: —■ Thursday, April 24. —Dance in Town Hall.

Sunday, April 27.—Club in Town Hall (2 p.m. to 10 p.m.)Thursday, May 1. —Dance in Town Hall.

Friday. May 2.—Club nierht. Saturday. May 3. —Fleet concert. Wednesday May 7.—Club night. These alterations were agreed to.

Tho secretary (Mr. G- Mitchell) announced that ho had heard from the Vice-Admiral that there was a very fine concert party on the Hood, who wore desirous of giving an entertainment in tho largest hall in town in aid of some charitable object. He suggested that the proceeds be divided equally between Rev. Fielden Taylor’s Mission and the Residential Nursery. Other charities were mentioned, but the secretary thought it would be for the Mayor to decide which should benefit. It was decided that the entertainment should be given in the Town Hall on Saturday, May 3.