LORD JELLICOE.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 10 December 1924, Page 11

LORD JELLICOE.

ARRIVAL AT SYDNEY. SORRY TO LEAVE NEW ZEALAND. SYDNEY, Dec. 3. All arrangements for an hour or two’s stay in Sydney on Saturday before proceeding to the State Governor’s country home at Moss Vale had to be thrown overboard by Lord Jellicoe and substituted by one wild rush for the Central Railway Station when the Tahiti reached the harbour late on Saturday afternoon, leaving only just time to catch the 5.20 train. It- was a day of disappointment for the enthusiastic groups that had been waiting for some hours at Fort Macquarie, where the Hero of Jutland was to have lauded, that a last-minjute change-, of plans necessitated bis leaving the Tahiti at Watson’s Bay. and covering the eight miles to the railway station in powerful automobiles; but it was an inspiring demonstration of how British seamen “get there” when time and tide conspire against them. As tfie Tahiti steamed through the heads Lord Jelli;coe stood on the bi-idge patching the familiar lines of the harbour open up before him in the high lights of a perfect summer afternoon, with tho white sails of the yachts speckled over the waters, and at the same time ho warmly congratulated 'the 'firemen who had just broken records in pushing ahead for the last hour or two in order to reach Sydney in time for the train. The taking on of the doctor at Watson’s 1 Bay brought the State Governor, Admiral Sir Dudley tie Chair, and there was an interesting sceneon ' deck as the old friends met, and there was a flutter and rush in Lord Jellicoe’s oarty when it was hurriedly announcer that they were to descend into 'the 4 steam yacht Premier, which lay panting below ready to land them at Watson s Bay, where four automobiles Awaited them. Not a minute was lost. Civilities and the medical inspection were dismissed with record dispatch and the admirals, Lady Jellicoe ‘ ami tlie rest of the family, with aides-de-camp and other attendants, disappeared over the side of the steamer and in .a. moment or two were speedi n<r over the intervening stretch of water to the jetty on the bay. It was 5.7 pm. when they landed. At 5.18 they were briskly walking down the platform of the Central Railway Station, eight miles distant, followed by a troop of panting pressmen and others who had igot wind of the changed plans and lushed post haste from Fort Macquarie to the station. Two minutes later sheers rang out from the groups on the platform as the train steamed off precisely to time. There was not much that Lord Jellicoe could say in such hurried interviews, and the ' fact that the fleeting moments were devoted to sxpressing the happiness of his stay in New Zealand, which, he said, had pe>'haps been the happiest period of his lte, showed how deeply lie had felt the recent parting. To-day Lord Jellicoe tetuined fo Sydney, and this afternoon ae is filling a long-standing engagement to race on the harbour ip company with Sir Dudley de Chair in the tatter’s yacht. It is a. perfect afternoon, with a crisp breeze. The partv were recognised on all hands as they motored through the city in open cars this morning, and many' a spontaneous cheer hailed the smiling hero. Unfortunately it is' not possible for Lord Jellicoe to stay in Sydney, as he emmrks on the Mongolia for EnglandH.e will be in Melbourne for about six fays, but owing to the strenuous week lefore lie left New Zealand be is acting hi medical advice in not accepting any nore engagements than are absolutely necessarc.

“Are you glad to be in Australia 0 ” •ueried a Sydney New s man. as Lord Tellicoe stepped off the Tahiti on to he launch Premier, to be landed later it Watson’s Bay. 1 The famous admiral cast his eves t!lr “ beautiful harbour sc-en.e. “les,” he replied reflectively, “of murso I am pleased to he in Aus“alia : but T am jolly sorrv to leave New Zealand.” , “Nun had a pood time in New Zeaand ” “The best time of hit life. And ’on’t forrmt I am speaking for all my annlv. We absolutely loved New Zean.! °. ra to New Zealand sav ill of us i” ’