DEPARTURE OF THE FLEET.

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 25 August 1925, Page 6

DEPARTURE OF THE FLEET.

FAREWELL MESSAGES. (BY TEBI'.GItAPIi PIIKSS ASSOCIATION.) WELLINGTON, Aug. 24. The Mayor oi : Wellington. (Mr C. J. B. Norwood), who was unable to participate in the filial farewell ceremonies, sent the city’s official good-bye to Admiral Coontz in the following letter: “Dear Admiral Coontz, —On the eve of your departure from our shores, may 1 be permitted to express on behalf of the people of Wellington an affectionate farewell to the entire personnel of your grand fleet? Me trust that your stay amongst us, although altogether too short, has given as much pleasure to your people as it has to the citizens of Wellington, and that you will carry awav with you many happy recollection's and lasting impressions of this visit. We fee] that many friendships formed in the hist ten clays will enrich and strengthen the ties of kinship between the great republic and the British Empire, of which we form a, small but loyal part. The citizen* of Wellington bid you ‘kaimii tc arolia. Haere ra, haere ra.’ ” The Maori quotation means; ‘We are filled with, love. Farewell, farewell. Mrs Coontz and the wives of the other American naval officers, through the American Consul-General, issued a message, thanking the ladies ot Wellington for the entertainment accoided them and the many pleasant incidents of their stay, which wou'd ba remembered. , , , Rear-Admiral ß Leigh and Magruder voiced warm praise ior the manner m which they were entertained during their stay in New Zealand, and thanks for the opportunities of viewing the scenic and other features of the country. Rear-Admiral Magruder saul: 1 wish the people of New Zealand, health, nippiness, prosperity and peace, and niav God bless them all for ever.” In a letter to the president of the Journalists’ Institute, who wrote on behalf of the pressmen, dissociating them from the reflections on American seamen published in a weekly paper last week, Admiral Coontz says it was inevitable that such prints should appear in every country. Ho, however, rarely paid attention to such articles. Tt was inevitable that a few men should misbehave, but the fleet records showed that these were very few indeed, and tlie navy personnel now was composed of a high type of young Americans. Admiral Coontz sent a message of farewell to the Governor-General, in which lie expresses appreciation of the kindness and courtesy of the GovernorGeneral and his family and' the people of New Zealand. The outpouring of good feeling and hospitality, said the admiral, had been most marked and fully appreciated. What had been done overwhelmed- them completely. Ilis Excellency wirelessed a reply thanking Admiral Coontz for the message, and stating that it gave nil great pleasure to know they had succeeded in making the visit pleasant. On behalf of the Government and- people he expressed to Admiral Coontz personally and to the officers and men under his command- regret at their departure and expressing sincere good wishes. Admiral Coontz sent the following message to the Prime Minister: “My dear Mr. Coates, —The officers and men composing that portion of the United States fleet which has visited Wellington, and, I am sure, it also represents those parts which have visited Auckland, Dunedin and Christchurch,' cannot leave your country without a word of goodbye. From the hour of our arrival we have received at your hands, and those of all connected with the Government, the most kindly welcome and the most courteous treatment. I know that I speak for all when I thank you for what you have done. “We have gleaned a n inside view of New Zealand, its climate, its people and its business interests. We know from our observations that it lias a place in the sun. "Words _ can ill express ou-r feelings at parting, hut we leave with the kindest thoughts and well wishes for all, and hope some time and in some way to return some of the wonderful things done for us i n New Zealand. 5 ’ FEW STRAGGLERS. TWO* LAUNCHES WRECKED. WELLINGTON, Aug 24. Very few sailors' failed to join their ships!. Those who did miss tlieir passage will 'probably be conveyed on a destroyer, wliic-li was compelled! to remain. behind to receive two boats which stranded ait Evans hay inlet on the southern side of the harbour during the night. One boat got adrift -at three' o’clock. When the discovery was made that the bolat bad disappeared in the blinding Storm a motor launch was despatched to recover the first boat. ■After searching the harbour the launch iviais located ashore at Fleams Ray badly smashed. Unfortunately the supp.lv of benzine ram out before the launch could be brought to- the place safely. It-, tod', grounded and became a wreck. The destroyer’s crew -salvaged the vessel’s; engines and other valuable portions.

FAftiEAVEIDLS AT AUCKLAND

AUCKLAND, .-Vug. 24. To-day was a. day of farewells between the American naval visitors and the real friends they . are leaving behind. As a token of appreciation of hospitality extended in Auckland Admiral Robison has fo-rwiarded to the American consul for (presentation to. the Blind Institute a cheque for UIOOO. Every man in the fleet contributed and the money is to -be used -as an endowment to pay pei'petuiallly for the care and education of a. child in the institute. Admiral 1 Robison and stall' s-peub a busy day in receiving and returning farewell courtesy calls. The Hon. R. E. Bollard (Minister for Internal Affairs) was received on board the flagship California by Admiral Robison at ten o’clock. As the representative of the Government-, Air. Bollard bade farewell to the .admiral and his fleet. The AlinIsiter wiais entertained on botard the vessel, and when lie stepped ashore lie was accorded -a isatute of nineteen guns. The admiral and staff returned the call at the Grand Hotel at 11.30 a.m. Several of the officers were guests of Air. Bollard at lunch.

Interviewed, Adlmiiial. Robison .said : “ I would have-to search. my vocabulary to find proper adjectives itq express how we aipp.reci.ato the wonderful way wo hiavct ibeejii received and entertained by the people oif Auckland, and we go away with our beauts full of good feeling toward you. AYe have had a wonderful time and I want you to -realiso that I am not saying an ordinary polite thing.” There was a, fre-vent not© in his words that proclaimed his Kiinceirity. “AVo do not like to slosh over,” he continued. “AVo are too grown up for thiat, a.nd it is because we want you to understand our true feelings that!

every officer and man in the fleet lias gladly isuihsfcii'iibed toward the gilt to the Jubilee Institute lor the Blind. A\ e hop© this token of our regard will be a permanent reminder of our appreciation. It lias been an entirely delightful visit, and I sincerely hope our hosts have enjoyed it as much as we have. Our final word is ‘KLa Ora. ” All shore leave ends at midnight tonight, and the battle fleet will put to scat at half-past .nine to-morrow morning. The .Filipino members of the cireiv o>f the battleship Clailiiornia presented rh(j 4.9 to tlie Auckland hospital as a token of their gratiitndo for the city’a hospitality. U.S. AYARSHIRS IN 'COLLISION. WELLINGTON. Aug. 25. It is stated that the light cruiser Omaha dragged her anchor as she lay in the stream and bumped into the Marblehead, striking a blow that was severe enough to cause a slight aeaka o-e Temporary repairs were executed with cement," which were considered to be sufficient till the vessel can he docked.

ADMIRAL ROBISON’S FAREWELL

AUCKLAND. Aug. 25. Admiral Robison in a farewell messnge says: “Officers and men are carrymg away the happiest recollections of tho memorable visit. Your hospitality has been more than generous, you have been most lavish in your entertainment, and we are unable to express adequately our thanks for the efforts you have made to give us pleasure and comfort during every moment of our stay.”

AN AMUSING INCIDENT

AM EE LOANS SECURE MASCOT

An amusing incident occurred when a. party of SUO American, sailors were ‘about to start on their journey from Auckland to Rotorua. The central figure of the ocuirrecaiice vvtais- a dog, and lie is going to be a reminder for many a laugh among our visitors when New Zealand is left behind them. While the train was waiting at the station, the men .were attracted! by a dog which gratefully responded tp their friendly overtures, and was quite willing to become an extra passenger at the invitation of some of the sailors. The regulations, however, are rigid, and the guard was obliged to ■veto' tlie proposal, but. the dog evidently got a hunch about th e situation, and cocking his head knowingly. lie wagged his tail and cheerfully rested on his haunches. The whistle blew, and off went tlie train, and the dog allowing it a reasonable handicap' trotted off in pursuit.. The Americans thought they had seen the last of the how wow, but then they didn’t know about the Remuera hill. Slowly and more slowly worked tlie driving rod of the panting engine as it hauled the 500 sailors up the hill. The load wns beginning to tell, and tho dog running light and with a good' lope, soon drew up alongside, and barked greetings to his high, ly tickled friends on board. The chance was too good; to be missed, and one of the sailors hopping overboard landed 1, doggie triumphantly on the car, and tlie extra passenger made the journey to Rotorua without further trouble from the authorities. He Fas jealously guarded during the stay at the thermal township, and returned with his friends to Auckland. It is not many dogs .which can count among their scalps the heating of a train, and he has now been elevated to the rank of mascot on the battleship that captured him.