NAVAL OCCASION

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 85, 4 January 1940, Page 8

NAVAL OCCASION

Jack Tars Make Merry At Exhibition RECEPTION AND DANCE Attendances Nearly 20,000 Yesterday All Wellington having flocked to the city for the military parade, yesterday morning there was a small attendance at the Exhibition. However. there were many afternoon visitors, and the big naval and military attendance in the evening, when the ship's company of 11.M.5. Ramillies gave a spectacular dance in the Assembly Hall, brought the tola! tip to nearly 20.000.

The Laughing Sailor of I’iaylam! was truly typical of the Exhibition yesterday. for it was a day of hilarious bluejackets making merry for a brief space ashore, forgetting the war for a day. In the afternoon and evening uniforms were commoner than mufti in tiie Exhibition grounds.

The weather was pleasant, sunny with a light southerly breeze, and outdoor attractions were well palrouizel. In lite evening the breeze fell light. Officers of tiie battleship Ramillies were entertained nt a reception in the Tower Block by the Exhibition directors. The chairman, Mr. Hislop, mayor of Wellington, welcomed the guests, who included Commander W. R.' (.'. Leggatt. chief executive officer on the Ramillies. The Loader of the Opposition. Mr. Hamilton, was present, as well as most of the Exhibition directors and their wives, and members of the management. The occasion was wholly informal. Afterward most of those who attended visited the naval dance in the Assembly Hall. Naval Dance. > There were actually more girls'than men at the Ramillies’ dance. At most stages of the evening there were at least 600 couples on the floor, girls sitting along the wall, and interested spectators seated in tiie gallery. The dance was a cheery function, bagpipes and novelty numbers varying the programme, and the sailors and marines being in tiie top of their form after their Jong period without shore leave. During tiie evening the ship's officers looked in at tiie dance, as did the Exhibition directors and management and other guests-at the reception. Many men in khaki from Trentham attended the dance.

Though tiie foyer was closed to the general public, the gallery opposite tiie assembly hall was not. and throughout the evening, till the main buildings closed, it was packed witli spectators watching tiie bluejackets enjoying themselves.

There were many sailors in Playland yesterday evening, enjoying rides on the various devices. One of the most popular was the electric boats, a sort of "busman’s holiday’’ which seemed to appeal to the nautical men. and certainly provided great entertainment for onlookers. The main rides were all kept busy. Another point to which the sailors gravitated was the Defence exhibit, the naval and army sections being crowded with uniformed visitors, showing a professional interest in the paraphernalia of war. The Port Nicholson Silver Band drew a good audience in the south bandcourt, all chairs being occupied while they were playing. The lively scene was enhanced by the fountain, its spray wafted to leeward by the breeze, Fire Brigade Called Out. Some excitement, was caused early last, evening by the -scream of sirens, and the appearance of three tireengines in the grounds, fortunately in answer to a false alarm. All fire calls in the Exhibition tire answered by at least, three engines from the stations in the vicinity, and the Exhibition's own fire headquarters. In the event of a serious lire, this would ensure ample men and engines being on the

scene within a few moments of the alarm being given. The St. John Ambulance Brigade treated about 30 eases yesterday. Stretcher-carriers were summoned to Playland to a patient who hail received bruises, but it transpired nothing more serious. A woman who fell down the Tower stairway was also brought, in for 'treatment, and rested in lite ambalance rooms for more titan an hour. A man who hurried to her assistance also fell downstairs, and required treatment himself.

-Members oi' the Wellington Model Engineering Society attracted considerable attention in the early evening. by sailing model steam-driven speedboats in tiie Centennial Avenue reflect lug pool. The boats were tethered to a central point. round which they circled at high speed, one exceeding- ten knots, it. was staled. Though a departure from precedent, this unorthodox use of tiie ornamental pond was greatly appreciated by the public, and is likely to be repeatedTHIS EVENING’S BAND PROGRAMME Tiie Port Nicholson Silver Band, conducted by Mr. J. J. Drew, will play the following programme from tiie weather bandshell at 7.31) o'clock this evening: Fanfare and "God Save the King." "La Marseillaise"; march. “Tile Trojans": valse, "Tiie Victory”; foxtrot. "Blackpool Walk": entr'acte. "Bells at Sunset": selection. "Veterans of Variety": novelty. "Teddy Bears’ Picnic’’; popular items: march. "Tiie President": cornet solo. "Until." Bandsman 11. F. Vim-ent: American sketch. "Down South" patrol. "Jamie’s": pot pourri, "(’lasslcn" : vaise, “Bacchaiiale" : march. “Washington Grays": "God Defend New Zealand."