PORT O’ LONDON

Evening Star, Issue 18852, 29 January 1925, Page 6

PORT O’ LONDON

ADDRESS BY CAPTAIN PEARSE. The promise of a “ tree show, an instructive lecture, and an interesting film drew a large assemblage to the Empire Theatre this morning, when Captain A. W. Pearse (representing the Port of London Authority) exhibited an entertaining picture dealing with the great port._ ( aptain Pearse proved to be a fascinating lecturer, whilst the lengthy picture was both entertaining and instructive. Captain Pearse was briefly introduced by Mr E. M. Shortt (chairman of the Dunedin Chamber of Commerce), who stated that their visitor was my stranger to Otago, having spent some time here many years ago. Captain Pearse, by way of a preface to the screening of the film, paid that the Port of London Authority was purely an honorary bodv, and was elected by the London" County Council and other public bodies, and all the profits wont into improving the port facilities. He was not there to advance the claims of any one port, he added, but he stressed the fact that from a commercial point of view it was profitable to ship produce to London, as the Empire capital was the chief market of England. Panoramic scenes of the huge area controlled by (he Authority, taken from an aeroplane", gave those present an excellent idea of the magnitude of the worlds greatest port. Miles upon miles of bus> wharves and huge warehouses were shown, whilst scores of liners and other vessels were depicted leaving and arriving at Gravesend. The historical spots along the river were pot forgotten, the scenes including fleeting glimpses of Loudon Bridge, the Tower. Richmond, the Pool, Whipping Old Stairs, and Henley. A series showing the wool industry was particularly interesting. The Port of London Authority, the lecturer said, had seven acres of floor space for wool storage purposes. The handling of frozen meat was also dealt w th in several comprehensive scenes, and what must-have appealed to the audience particularly was the remarkable facility with which carcases were handled. Then there were short glimpses of the huge granaries, wine and spirit cellars, and the ivory, rubber, and feather stores. That the Authority did more than merely handle goods was emphasised by the fact that it even bottled various liquors: and altogether the picture revealed in a striking manner the stupendous work that is carried out in the greatest port in the world. At the conclusion of the screening Mr J. B. Waters moved a, hearty voto of (hanks to Captain Pearse for his address, and this was carried enthusiastically. PORT 0 LONDON. (Written for the, ‘Evening Star. ) London town’s on London river, Grim and smoky, stretching wide; On the Empire, screen a-quiver. .Scenes of wharf and jotty glide. Port. Port, Port o’ London river. Port o’ Loudon river all agog : Can yon see (he vessels steaming. Can you hear the syrens screaming On (he Port o’ London river in a fog. London docks on I/ondon river Stretch for miles on either side,, And the cargo ships are ever Steaming upwards with the fide. Port, Port, Port o’ London river, Oldest,, greatest- port the. world has known, Sav von don't need any felling That’ no matter what you’re selling, Port o’ London is a market of its own. London folk think London river Cheapest, handiest., far the best, That their methods are most clover.

Show you with increasing zest. Port, Po'rt, Port 0’ London river. Having watched your picture film today, ’Fore our eyes go swiftly slipping. Wo admit there seems more shipping In Port 0’ London than Otago bay.