ENTERTAINING THE FLEET

Evening Star, Issue 19004, 28 July 1925, Page 5

ENTERTAINING THE FLEET

AUSTRALIA’S WELCOME , CHILDREN'S DEMONSTRATION Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright. SYDNEY, July 27. _ Ton thousand school children parficipiitcd in a. children’s demonstration in honor of the American hoot on the Cricket Ground, where they Rave costume exhibitions and folk dances. A train crowded with children who, were taking part crashed into a dead end at the Central railway station, and threw the passengers into heaps on the fl 'or> "of the carriages, but only one teacher and three children were injured —all slightly. HOSPITALITY OF THE HOME. SYDNEY, July 27 r (Received July 28, at 1.30 a.m.) After tho first hectic rush the incmb;rs of tho fleet are beginning to visit the suburbs. Many private families are now entertaining tho men at their homes, and a number of similar offers have been received from country homesteads. LORD MAYOR GIVES BALL. SYDNEY, July 27. (Received July 28, at 1.30 a.m.) 'Fhe Lord Mayor tendered the admirals and officers of tho fleet a ball at the Town Hall. There was a large number of guests, and tho function was successfully carried through. SMALL TOWNS DISAPPOINTED. PREPARATIONS IN VAIN. SYDNEY, July 28. (Received July 28, at 10.5 a.m.) Only a few of tho American sailors are taking advantage of tho oilers to visit tho country towns. At Goulburn the streets wore gaily bedecked, and largo crowds turned out to welcome Fifty visitors, but only two arrived. Other towns had similar experiences. MELBOUIiNE’S REPUTATION. MELBOURNE, July 27. Although tho Americans generally are finding the city an ideal place for enjoying themselves, several reported to the police that they had been dragged and robbed, hut these instances are rare. FIRE IN PICTURE THEATRE. MELBOURNE, July 27. (Received July 28, at 1.30 a.m.) As the Capital Picture Theatre was Filling lor tlie .afternoon’s performance the screen caught fire, and was immediately a mass of flames. Two stage hands behind tho screen had to run through the flames. Both were seriously burned, and sent to hospital. Th i Ancricnn sailors helped in quelling tie outbreak, and the audience left without panic. PLEASED WITH WELCOME. .MELBOURNE, July 27. (Received July 28, at 1.30 a.m.) Admiral Coontz, in a. .statement, said that tlie welcome had been beyond all expectations. Everything was so well conceived in tho way of entertainment that all the members of the licet were delighted with the hospitality shown them. It showed the unequivocal friendship of Australia towards tho United States, and they thanked Australia for it.

CROWDS VJSIT SHIPS. MANY MINOR ACCIDENTS. MELBOURNE, July 27. (Received July 28, at 1.30 a.m.) The fleet repeated the searchlight display of Sunday night, although there was no mention of it in the official programme. Over 100,000 people visited the ships on Sunday afternoon, and in the crush to get aboard there were thirty-live minor accidents.

The men were entertained to-day at picnics, motor excursions, baseball, and dancing.