AMERICA’S NAVALS

Grey River Argus, 28 July 1925, Page 5

AMERICA’S NAVALS

TARS GO TO CHURCH

Sunday at Sydney (.Aus. and N.Z. Cable Association.) SYDNEY, July 2(i. There were no official Fieet engagements in either Sydney’ or Melbourne to-day’. Religious organisations and the churches combined in looking after tne men's moral interest, making them feel at home. Specially -attractive services were held m many churches, and the Americans were present in goodly numbers. The streets aid holiday’ resorts of the two cities disclosed a good sprinkling of visitors, and thus early in their stay they have managed tc pick up lady’ Consorts. Speaking at the Commercial Travellers’ Club banquet, Admiral Robinson said there was a dragon of an idea Hint navies and armies created war. A search of history would prove that they never created, produced, or fomented wars, Imt were called on to finish them. “ AATien racial or relig.ous prejudices, or other things that make tor war cause trouble, we are called in to finish the job.’’ SYDNEY CHILDREN S DEMONSTRA 1 I(JN. (Received July 27 at 8.55 p.m.) SYDNEY, July Ten thousand school children ticipated in a children's dem list: ation to-day in honour of the America fleet on the Sydney cricket ground, and gave exhibitions of folk dancing On e train, crowded with children taking part, crashed into a dead end at the Central Railway Ttation and threw the passengers into Heaps < n th© floors of the carriages, but onl; one teacher and three children w<ic injured, all slightly. SOME SAILORS ROBBED . MELBOURNE, July 27. Although the Americans genera.lv are finding, the city an ideal place for enjoying themsely is, several h- e reported to the police that they have been drugged and robbed, but these instances ore race. DOINGS AT MELBOURNE. MELBOURNE, July 27. The week-end was peculiarly’ free from officer-functions. A large number of officers and me.i of the Fleet attended the Moonee A'alley races on Saturday.

The destroyers which had been brought up the river i.i batches were thrown open for inspection and were visited by’ large crowds. A aseball team from the Fleet met an Australian team, turd after an exciting exhibition, the game ended in a draw. The police in both Sydney and Mel bourne have received numerous complaints that visiting sailors w?re taken down by sharpers, some of large sums. The police advised them to leave their money, beyond actual requirements, in a safe place. LAST SHIP'S ARRIVAL. MELBOURNE, July 27. Delayed by a storm, the last unit of the United States Fleet, the repair ship Altair, reached Melbourne two day's after the other ships. From Tuesday till Friday’ the Altair battled against strong gales and heavy’ seas, and gradually fell behind. No fear, however, was felt for her safety, as she is a solidly built vessel, capable of rid.ng a storm such as she met. the Visitors praised. MELBOURNT, July 26. The liveliest remembrance of the march of two thousand Americans through the city’ on Friday’ is the prompt and effective measures rendered i.i preventing a stampede and rescuing the wounded, when the verandah collapse occurred. This won warm places in the hearts of the A'ietorians. The procession was held up forty’ minutes till the wounded were removed and the line of march cleared from the invading crowds . During the long cold wait, both seamen and spectators showed commendable reserve and patience.

Admiral Coontz, after the accident, sent the Lord Mayor the Fleet's sympathy’ with the injured, adding: “If anything ca.i be done to assist, consider us all at your immediate ser-

Excepting three, who ar P still in a serious condition, all the victims of the verandah collapse are progressing satisfactorily’.

VISIT TO CHRISTCHURCH.

PRECAUTIONS AD \l\-T VERANDAH S CO 1,1. A USING

CHRISTI ni’RCH, July 27. In view of the disastrous rr-..:ts of the collapse of a verandah during the procession of the men of ti e American fleet in Ivle'b > true, the Christchurch City Council and these responsible for the reception of the •sailors °u their arrival in Christchurch, have der/j’ed to ] rej .ire against such an accident orenriing here. As yet, the route to be bfl><n bv the procession of the s ahtrs in the city has not been definitely < <•- eided, but, when it lias been chos-n, the City Engineer will inspect the verandahs on either side of me streets through which the m--n will march, and, where aecessaiv, -.will have them sufficiently strengthen'''! to carry any weight which might be placed upon them.