’TIS HARD TO PART

Evening Star, Issue 19024, 20 August 1925, Page 9

’TIS HARD TO PART

FAREWELL TO AMERICAN FLEET GRATITUDE FOR HOSPITALITY . “WE'LL REMEMBER OUNEBIN " We Lave only one consolation in leaving Dunedin, and that is that wo are going Lome. Of all the ports we have been in I think the opinion among officers and men is that Dunedin is the best of all. We are very sorry to leave, but we will never forget the warm hospitality of the people and the firm friendships we have formed individually and collectively. This is what Lieutenant-commander Patrick, the flag secretary to the Admiral, told a reporter on board tbo Melville this morning, and this probably epitomises the feelings of both citizens and fleet. A.’*POWER OF GOOD” “We’ll remember Dunedin,” said a youthful sailor on one of the destroyers this morning. “If wo had had half the good time you have given us, we would have been satisfied| but everything exceeded our expectations.” The informant, by the way, was an average-looking American sailor, but the reporter, who had entertained him at his homo the previous evening, found that ho was a university graduate. and could speak several languages. “This visit has done a power of good,” ho said. “Personally, my opinions of Australia and Now Zealand have undergone a rapid change. We all expected to be—well, not exactly in foreign countries, but in strange countries —among people whose ideas and ideals were somewhat different from our own. But yon have taken ns right to your hearts and your homes, and wo found we were among people who. if they settled in the States, would be looked upon as having always lived there.” “ I’m mighty sorry to go,” ho continued, “ but I have learned more in the ten days hero, just by meeting you people, than nil the schools and universities in the States could have taught mo.”

Tho reporter mentioned that probably the minds of people here had been also boardened.

“And so have we,” continued the Bailor. “ I cannot 'speak officially, of course, but I think. this visit will lead to results the, importance of which was never i/oaliscd by our people or yours,” The young fellow, who, by the way, has an English wife and three ol a familj, spoke enthusiastically of the “ spsjrting ” instinct of New Zealanders,, for whom he had formed a groat (firing. The reporter had to leave on other business, and noticed that the sailor’s eyes were glistening almost with tears as again he said: “We’ll remember Dunedin. Toll everybody that.” PATROL HAD NO BOTHER

A policeman’s life is not a happy one, the old song said, _ but for the fleet’s shore patrol the visit to Dunedin has been fairly fortunate. “We have had no trouble in Dunedin,” said Commander Ingram, who was in charge of the patrol. Discipline had to be exercised in a few cases, bo said, but the citizens bad never put any obstruction in tho way. The shore patrol, it may be stated, is not composed of a permanent per. ousel. Tho selection is made at each port from all ratings. THE INFORMAL RECEPTION

To reciprocate tlie many courtesies extended by tlicir friends, the Admiral and the officers of all the ships entertained at a reception aboard the Melville yesterday city officials and tho friends the officers had made in port. It was quite an informal function, and Included fn tho festivities was a dance in the S shed. THE ' STAR ' APPRECIATED Every little act which was done to rive pleasure to tho visitors was thoroughly apprecitacd by them. For instance, each night a parcel of-‘Even-ing Stars ’ was sent clown to each ship, about 400 copies altogether boing_ distributed. This morning tho publisher of the ‘ Star ’ received from Lieutenant B. P. Vosbury, of the destroyer Stoddert, the following letter:—“ On behall of the officers and men of this vessel I wish to thank you for your kindness in sending the 1 Evening Star 1 each evening. 1 can assure you that all on hoard appreciated the issue.” One of the men on the boat stated: “We have never been treated like this in any other port.” Similar letters were received from the commander of the destroyer squadron (Captain E. 11. Dodd, on the Decatur) and from the commander (Commander H. T. Kays) of the Moody. 0 SHED EHTERTATINMEHT The Y.M.C.A. rendezvous at the Q shed had a record attendance last night. A notification that tho farewell evening would he of a special nature brought such a gathering that the building was crowded. During the evening dancing took premier place, many of the dancers having balloons attached to their tunics, thus giving a festive appearance. The Otakou Maori Entertainers again gave displays of hakas, poi dances, and songs. Messrs J. and T. Russell were in charge, Misses Karetai and Ellison leading the poi dances. Mrs J. Sutherland Ross, Misses Batt, Rosevear, and Perry were the hostesses. At the conclusion of the evening Mr Drew (general secretary of the Y.M.C.A.) bade farewell to the men, explaining that the Q shed, whilst run by the Y.M.C.A., liad been placed at its disposal by the Dunedin Fleet Entertainment Committee. The men showed their appreciation for what had been done by giving lusty cheers, their feelings being voiced in happy strain by Mr R. B. Wilkinson, of D.S.S. Ludlow 112, OTHER ITEMS A very enjoyable dance was given In the Arthur Street School Hall on Monday evening by Mrs C. Speight for members ■of tho American fleet. The hall was decorated with bunting and streamers, and presented a gay appearance. About, forty couples attended, and spent a jolly time. Thanks are due to Messrs Cnas. Begg and Co. for kindly supplying a very efficient orchestra, which rvas greatly appreciated. '

All REVGIR THOUSANDS LIKE WHARVES If tliere was any lack of enthusiasm (n Dunedin’s welcome to the vessels of the American fleet when they arrived here, it was more than compensated for £y tne splendid send-off which the vessels were given to-day. Thousands of people crowded the wharves, and the vessels pulled out amid scenes of enthusiasm, colored streamers being stretched between boats and shore, and expressions of regret being heard on all sides that the visit had terminated. There were many intimate final talks between girls and sailormen; but, alas! the best of friends must part. Punctually at 1 o’clock the destroyer John Franci? Burns pulled out into the channel, and w-as quickly under way, loud cheers being exchanged between ship and shore. Ten minutes later the Somers moved out, L llowed ■within another ten minutes by the Percival. IThe other ships followed in the reverse

order to which they arrived here, the last destroyer to go being the Decatur, the flagship of tho destroyer squadron. The Somers will leave at full speed, her chief engineer being on “ a bonus, as is sometimes arranged in the United’ States navy, for a speed test. She hopes to do over thirty-two knots all the way to Lyttelton. The band of the big tender Melville played from 1 o’clock onwards for tho entertainment of the crowd. She left at 3 o’clock on the high tide. A local pilot was again supplied to take each vessel outside the Heads. Tho tugs Dunedin and Plucky assisted in taking tho ships into the channel. WHITE CAPS GONE By noon the familiar sight of “white caps” about the town was missing, and tho patrols had a search around the hotels and other places for stragglers, of whom, however, none was to be found. At tbo time of tbo departure of tbo vessels it was not known for certain if there were any deserters, though there was a suspicion that one or two who bad become enamored of the place had not returned to the ships. , HUSBANDS AND WIVES Husbands were parted from their wives when tho American vessels pulled out this afternoon, for several weddings took place while the Americans were here. An officer of one of the vessels said he was not sure of the immigration law in the States with respect to tho wife of a sailor, but ho had an idea she would have not much trouble, even though of another nationality, especially British, in getting in. “ GOOD-BYE, GIRLS ! ” “I don’t know how you fellows got to know so many girls,” said the Dunedin young man to a sailor just before departure. “You’re very lucky; wo never see half so many about.” There seemed no doubt that the young man’s words were true, for a glance around the wharves showed dozens of groups of sailors and girls. Evidently Jackie has made himself popular with the girls of Dunedin, at any rate. It is reported that there were many pathetic farewells last night. NELSON SCHOOL CHILDREN'S VISIT [Peu United Pbess Association.] WELLINGTON, August 20. Though the weather was overcast largo numbers of licet officers and men went to tho Trenthara Race Meeting. A party of Nelson school children are visiting tho ships by courtesy of the admiral. A special searchlight display will be put on for their benefit this evening, when their steamer is moving down the harbor.