FLEET FESTIVITIES

Evening Star, Issue 19023, 19 August 1925, Page 9

FLEET FESTIVITIES

NORTHERN FUNCTIONS [Per United Press Association.] AUCKLAND, August IS. Another perfect day favored'tho fleet festivities. The spirit of friendliness, which has been growing steadily as the passage of the days makes for hotter acquaintance, was more than usually manifest in the holiday throngs and happy gatherings scon throughout the city. Many of#tho sailors have made good friends, and not a few have openly expressed their readiness to take back some, of the critical conclusions reached durum the first few days of the visit. This now spirit is verv largely duo to the greater willingness shown by the citizens in offering personal hospitality, in place of leaving everything to the official committee. The flagship California received a great many visitors. Chief among them were Major-general C. W. Alolvill, General Officer Commanding the New Zealand Military Forces, and Colonel E. 11. Potter, officer commanding the district. _ They were officially received by Admiral Robison, and on leaving Major-general Melvill was accorded a Salute of eleven guns. Auckland Club’s “at home ” to the admirals and officers was a most successful function, thoroughly enjoyed by the naval visitors and the 700 guests who were present. In the evening a boxing tournament at the Town Hall attracted a number of men and a largo section of tho sporting public. The feature of to-morrow’s programme wjll be the ceremonial route march through (Queen street.

AMMASSODORS OF PEACE ROTARIANS’ LUXCTIEON [Special to the ‘Star.’] CHRISTCHURCH, August 18. The Christchurch Rotariaus gave Admiral Schofield and his officers a groat reception at a luncheon to-day. Rotarian Professor J. B. CVindii/fo, who recently returned from Honolulu, said ihat this country had a great deal to learn from America in hospitality. Ho thought that if Australia and New Zealand were placed permanently on tho calling list of tho United States fleet the licet would ho the greatest ambassador of pence it was possible to get. Tho Mother Land and America wore working together so closely in naval suggestions that there was no possibility of war breaking out at least in our timo in tho Pacific. Rotnrian J. A. Frost ick concurred with the thought of Professor Corn!liffe that there could bo no racial war while tho United States and Groat Britain worked together for peace. Rear-Admiral Schofield said that the visitors had not felt any difficulty in getting acquainted, except, perhaps, that they lived “quicker” than did their hosts, and there was also the difficulty of dodging the New Zealand lefthand traffic. There were two complaints. Now //calami had not provided more hours in the day or more days in the week than usual, and I hose were needed very much. All were having a wonderful time. Speaking of peace, he said they all desired peace. Some people wanted to force peace on the world; but he thought that peace should bo a matter of personal sacrifice to bring about the grand idea. He was very interested in the children. He loved them for themselves alone; but ho wanted them to be fond of America, and ho had never seen a brmhter-eved, rosier-cheeked crowd of children than those lined up during the march of tho sailors. Christchurch had a particular interest for the speaker, because it was the last port of a hero who was honored throughout America --Captain R. F. Scott, who gave his life in an heroic, venture of discovery. It was tho. spirit that Captain Scott; had shown which helped to make for world peace.

AT THE ORPHANS' CLUB CEMENTING THE BONDS. “I feel sure,” said President I!. Hudson from the cbnir nt the Orphans’ Club meeting last night, “ that the visit of the United States navy to our waters means the oomeniiiig of the bonds of friendship between that groat country and Britain.” Among the visitors at tin’s mooting were about twenty members of the American navy—officers, potty officers, and men. And they had nob boon mingling with the Dunedin Orphans long before the cementing process was in full swing, and the further declaration by the president that “it was a pleasure to meet our American friends, tor as we got to know them better we like them better ” was also proved to bo true. Hro. Hudson in bis welcome said that the United States were to bo congratulated on their pluck in sending its navy so far from homo. Such an expedition necessitated much thought, mnch work, and much money. But thought, work, and money were well and wisely expended when it meant the creation of a lasting friendship between the two great English-speaking nations.

The visitors’ replies were characteristic. “We’ve had a. fine welcome here,” said one speaker, “as fine a welcome as we’ve had any place else, and we can tell you right now that the fleet is with vou.”

Another speaker, after declaring that the white races must rule the world, said that the boys who had had the good fortune to he sent to Dunedin had been given a wonderful time. “We’re sure going back to America with wonderful feelings about you folk, believe mo,” he added, “ami all I hope is that the friendship created during this trip will last for ever—and I guess it will.” In response to the lusty “ Jolly good fellows” chorus with which the 'Orphans topped off their welcome, there rose a Yankee, and he cried; “Boys, three ‘hips” for Dunedin.” The rest needed no urging, and a lusty “Ray, Ray, Ray, Dunedin ” rang through the rafters of St. Raul’s Schoolroom, followed by a mighty united “Attaboy.” Tlfe programme submitted for the entertainment of the members and visitors was a good one. First the club orchestra, under Bro. H. Davie, placed ‘Stars and Stripes’ and ‘Sea Songs’ in spirited manner, ami subsequently added ‘ The Star-spangled Banner'’ ‘Mix Up,’ and ‘Sliding Sam.’ Items wore also contributed by Bros. C. F. Carter, H. Hankinson, L. R. H. Webber, A. A. W. Biekncll, L. Borrow (songs); H. W. Hunter, J. B. Flynn (recitations, Canon Nevill, H. Henderson (stories), and J. Coombs (violin solo), and by the Orphans’ Quartet Party, and an instrumental brass quartet from the orchestra. A highly amusing recitation concerning the quaint remarks and sentences delivered by a Virginian judge was added by Mr 0. E. 51. Ringer, of the U.S.S. Decatur. At the conclusion of the programme there was a joining of hands in the Scotch style, and again the rafters rang, this time with the strains of ‘Auld Lang Syne.j Even after the singing of the closing ode, however—which is usually the signal for an ordered retreat to automobiles and trolly cnrs —locals and visitors lingered to repeat their vows of friendship, and it was obvious that it was not merely their inherent politeness which prompted the Yankees’ parting words: “ Gee, but we’re sorry to leave you folk.”

THE PROGRAMME WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19. 11 a.m.—-Trotting meeting at F&bnry Park, to which all officers and men are invited as the guests of the club. 7.30 p.m.—Civic dinner to RearAdmiral Marvell and officers at Tudor flail. THURSDAY, AUGUST 20. Fleet departs from Dunedin.