FAREWELL MESSAGE TO WELLINGTON

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 109, 9 May 1924, Page 11

FAREWELL MESSAGE TO WELLINGTON

HAPPIEST KESEOBIES OF .STAY IST

BEABTIFIIL CITY.

Yiee-Aermfral Sir Frederick Field, officer commanding the Special Service Squadron, which. left yesterday for Auckland, forwarded the following letter to the Mayor (Mr. R. A. Wright):—

" Sir, —Before leaving Wellington I desire,'on behalf of the Special Service Squadron, to express to you ,and the City Council of Wellington our most sincere thanks for the great kindness and hospitality extended to officers and men throughout' our stay. 1 wonld also ask that our thanks may be conveyed to the members of the Reception Committee, who so hospitably entertained so. many officers and men of the Squadron, as well as arranging most enjoyable daily visit/ to the surrounding • country. I can assure you their kindness and hospitality were deeply, appreciated. I would also like to congratulate you on the tasteful decorations of the streets and buildings,* which must have entailed' a very large amount' of work and attention by those who so ably assisted you.

".May I also thank the City Coun? cil for their great kindness in allowing officers and men to travel. on the trams free of charge, a privilege which was greatly appreciated, and particularly for the arrangements t mada for parties of men to view the city and its surroundings from observation tramcars. . .

"We have all been deeply impressed by.the beauty of the situation of the City of Wellington, and by its fino municipal and Government buildings. It has been a great pleasure to me to see theJmagnincent natural- harbour of ■Wellington, and it added greatly to the pleasure of our stay'that both battle cruisers were ,able io berth alongside. . ,

" I would you to convey to the citizens of,, Wellington our deep appreciation of the' Welcome extended to'the officers and men of the Squadron throughout our visit. We leave with the happiest memories of our stay in your beautiful city.""'.-■ .