THEY GO TO-MORROW

Evening Star, Issue 19023, 19 August 1925, Page 6

THEY GO TO-MORROW

AMERICAN FLEET’S DEPARTURE LAST DAYS OF HAPPY VISIT REAR-ADMIRAL’S GRATEFUL MESSAGE Sincere, widespread regret—as much among the visitors as among the people of Dunedin—is expressing itself to-day, for to-morrow the ten happy days that Dunedin’s quota of the American fleet has spent here will have passed. From 1 o’clock onward tho destroyers will be heading out of the harbor, homeward bound via Lyttelton and Wellington. By 3 o’clock the Melville, tho last to depart, will be on its way. But the feeling of regret, which is inspired bv tho genuine good humor and friendliness or the whole personnel, from the Admiral down, will not be permitted to dampen the enjoyment of the final enetrtainmont functions. Today is crowded with them, and all concerned are determined to make tho most of tho last opportunities.

A WONDERFUL TIME ADMIRAL’S FAREWELL MESSAGE “We have had a wonderful time,” said Rear-Admiral G. R. Alarvell in the course of a farewell message this morning for the people of Dunedin. “ Hospitality has been most graciously extended, and we have accepted it in the way in which it was given. All the men have had a splendid time.” Tho excellent work of the Y.M.C.A. iu providing entertainment in Q shed for tho men was warmly commended by the Admiral. Tho men highly appreciated it, also the services of the Citizens’ Entertainment Committee, the City Council, Harbor Board, and all others who had done so much to make tho stay here so pleasant, and who had so fully succeeded.

“ I think we have had a most profitable and important time. Your people and our people have met face to face, and there has been the personal contact which is so valuable m promoting the proper understanding between two nations. It leads, to good-will and concord and all the other desirable things,” Asked if he wished to say anything about the growth of Now Zealand, the Admiral replied : “ Tho growth of New Zealand appears to our eyes to be one that has taken advantage of tho errors of other people, and yon seem to have escaped many of the pitfalls which have befallen other now countries.” “ There is one thing you people must have, and that is vision. You must look forward fifty or 100 years and visualise what is going to happen. From what I can see of your city and your harbor, in your electrical and water supply, and other matters, you have looked ahead for many years.”

“In saying good-bye I wish that the years will bring happiness and prosperity to everyone in Dunedin.” DEPARTURE TO-MORROW MELVILLE LEAVING AT THREE. Punctually at 1 o’clock to-morrow the vessels of the American fleet moored in Dunedin will commence their departure, for which final arrangements have been made. The destroyers will be taken out in the reverse order to which they arrived. At 3 o’clock the tender Melville, flying Rear-Admiral Marvell’s flag, will draw out into the channel to go out with tho high tide. This is necessary in tho case of the Melville, as she is drawing about 21ft. If all the destroyers are not out of tho basin before the time of the big ship’s departure, those that are left will follow her. The mayor (Mr H. L. Tapley) requests that as many citizens as possible assemble on the wharves to give tho ships a fitting send-off.

G9HTIHUIHG THE VOYAGE STRENUOUS TIME AHEAD. “Wo have had a vacation during tho pa»st two mouths,” said RearAdmiral Marvell this morning, “ and we aro going to have a strenuous drill period in tho next five months.” Tho Admiral added that tho destroyers now in Dunedin would, when outside the Heads, adopt formation under Captain E. H. Dodd (commander of destroyer squadron El, on the Decatur), and steam for Lyttelton to join the destroyers there, and then proceed north. The Melville will go to Wellington. On August 25 all the ships at tho various ports in New Zealand will meet at a rendezvous off Auckland, and will sail as a fleet for Pago Pago (Samoa;, Honolulu, and up the Californian coast to their home ports. The Melville is due at San Pedro, the port of Los Angelos, on September 27. Tho destroyers will return to Santiago. IHVITATfON TO MAYOR The mayor (Mr 11. L. Tapley) was invited by Rear-Admiral Marvell to accompany him to Wellington as a guest on tho Melville. Unfortunately Mrs Tapley is at present indisposed, and His Worship was unable to accept the kind invitation, which must be regarded as a compliment to the city.

COMMERCIAL TRAVELLERS ENTERTAIN During the visit of the American fleet the commercial travellers _ have been doing their best to entertain tho officers and men at their club. Although no official reception could ho arranged, many opportunities have been taken of extending hospitality, which appears to have been highly appreoited by the largo number who from time to time availed themselves of the invitation. President James Brown spoko in high terms of the visitors’ conduct and demeanor, several of whom displayed oratorical powers of no mean order. FUN IH Q SHED Q shed has been one of the most popular places of entertainment for the American sailors, hundreds of whom have daily taken advantage_ of tho facilities provided. Last night tho Y.W.C.A. members were in charge, and were well assisted by the “ Black Cat ” Orchestra. Mrs Taverner and Misses Batt and Driver acted as hostesses, Mr V. T. Drew controlling the evening on behalf of the Y.M.C.A. OTHER ITEMS A social evening and dance was given for over fifty of the visiting sailors in St. Matthew’s Hall last evening, and was thoroughly enjoyed by all. Before departing for their ships the men expressed their appreciation of the kindness of the parishioners in arranging two dances for their entertainment while they were in Dunedin. _ Over a'hundred of the visitors had a most enjoyable time last night at Miss Wallace’s dance at the Early Settlers’ Hall, where on a splendid floor and to the accompaniment of excellent,dance music the fun was kept up till a late hour. Miss Wallace is deserving of a word of praise for her share in entertaining the visitors. The Otago Boilermakers’ Society entertained the boilermakers from the Melville at a smoke concert last evening in Kroon’s Hall. The guests and

local members of the society present totalled 100. Mr D. Mercer (president) was chairman. The toasts “The King ” and “ Tho President of the United States ” were honored, after which the chairman expressed his pleasure at having the opportunity to welcome members of the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers of America. A bright programme of music and song was the order of the evening, which 'proved most enjoyable. Four members of tho Pipe Band were present during the evening, and contributed in no small measure towards its success. The pipers later played the visitors hack to the ships.

TO THE BOYS OF THE FLEET (A SONG.) A kind farewell to Yankee boys Wo say with heart and hand; No word of praise our tongue employs Were truer in tho land. We found them all tho models bright Of courtesy and pride, With quiet speech and ways polito To win us on their side. •—Chorus.— Then ho 1 Sing ho! For the boys of the dandy fleet. Good iucic be theirs wiier’ever they go In ships so trim and neat. WitJi “cup of kindness” let us sing ‘ Old Glory ’ ou the wave, Whose beauteous llutt’riug e’er will bring Remembrance of the brave. So hoi Yohol You boys of the mighty fleet; Ripe all hands to let them know We hope again to meet. Yolio! Tho Yankee and the British Tars Are brothers o’er the world; Their bond tho foreign menace mars (Mark well their Hags unfurled I). They sweep the seas with grip of hand That pledges noble aid ; For Freedom and for Right they stand In steel-clad strength arrayed. —Chorus.— Then ho I Sing ho 1 For tho boys of tho dandy fleet. Good luck bo theirs where’er they go In ships so trim and neat 1 With “ cup of kindness ” let us sing ‘ Old Glory ’ on tho wave, Whose beauteous flutt’ring e’er will bring Remembrance of the bravo. So ho! Yoho! You boys of tho mighty fleet. Pipe all hands to let them know We hope again to meet. Yoho 1 Chaei.es Umeees. Dunedin, August 18.