SEAFARERS FOREGATHER

Evening Post, Volume xciv, Issue 73, 24 September 1917, Page 5

SEAFARERS FOREGATHER

EXCEPTION TO POET KEMBLA'S MEN.

.Officers above and below . water/line— members of the Marine Engineers' Institute and Merchant Service Guild— foregathered at the Marine Engineers' Institute Rooms in Ajtken-street, on Saturday evening to extend a welcome to (their brother officers of the ill-fated liner Port Kembla, which was sunk off Farewell Spit last Tuesday morning. The cosy clubroom was decorated with multicoloured pennants, and was filled to the doors. Captain F A. Macindoe, secretary of 'the Merchant Service Guild, and Mr. T. R. "Wallace, secretary of the Marine Engineers' Institute, were responsible for the success of the evening. Among those present were: Hon. Sir James Carroll, Messrs. G. Allport, C. H. Poole, M.P., Captain James Dawson, Captain Jack (master of the unfortunate vessel) and his officers, and engineers, Mr. A. Walker, Mr. D. K. Blair, Captain T. H. Chndley, R.N.R., and Cap-1 tain J. B. . Rainey. Mr. J. P. Luke, C.M.G.,. (Mayor of Wellington) occupied the chair. Apologies for absence were received from the Prime Minister (Rt. Hon. W. F. Massey) and. Messrs. Duncan, Lodder, and Cable. His Worship the Mayor, who proposed the toast of "Our Guests," referred to the splendidl part played by.the British mercantile marine in the present war. "We are here to-night," said Mr. Luke, "to extend a welcome to Captain Jack and his officers and engineers. The circumstances under which they lost their vessel are now well known, and I m-uet say that I was much gratified to" see that Captain Jack worthily upheld the traditions of the mercantile marine and was the last man to 2eave_ his ship. The officers and men o£ the ship proved them., selves true sons of the bulldog breed. (Applause.) On behalf of the citizens of Wellington, I have the greatest pleasure in presenting the officers of the Port Kembla with the freedom, of the city.'^ (Applause.) The toast of "Our Guests" was drnnk with musical, honours. Captain Jack replied, and whilst apologising for the fact that he was not used to the art of making speeches, thanked the Mayor and the citizens of Wellington for what they had done for the comfort of the shipwrecked men, and assured Mr. Luke that he and his men would nevei- forget the hospitality shown to them here. ' . ....'■ The Hon. James Carroll, whose appearance was greeted with applause, reviewed the causes leading up to the war and the results likely to follow as a consej quence of the present conflict. Referring to the entry of America into, the war, Sir James said that whilst the American War of Independence was, in effect, a mere domestic trouble, the present great war was international and the true America had felt the call of the blood to go to the help of the Motherland. He predicted that America, would prove one of the greatest single factors in the final decision. In proposing the toast of the "Merchant Service," a splendid .. tribute to the work of the "Silent Service," as he called it, was paid by Mr. Poole, M.P., whose early days in the "windjammers" lent a touch of colour to all his remarks ia the sea and "those who go down to the sea in ships." ■■ The toast of "The Merchant Service" was replied to by Mr. George- Allport, Secretary for Marine. ' The toast of "The British Forces" was proposed by Captain T. H. Chudley, R.N.R., and responded to by Captain James Daweon (Harbourmaster) aid Mr. H. Macmenamen. (an American citizen, who is on a visit to Wellington). TJuring the evening, various musical and other, items of an enjoyable nature were given by Captains 'Atwood' and Macindoe and MessTS. Samms and Bailey (of the Port Kembla) and Messrs.. Blick, Marchant, Walker, and Gibbons. A hearty welcome to all the officers and engineers of the Port Kembla to visit ,the Engineers' Institute whenever they' chose was extended by the president of .the institute. The singing'of "Auld Lang Syne" and "God Save the King" concluded the ■proceedings. .•',.■■ ..' A .