A LESSON IN POLITENESS

Lyttelton Times, Volume XCIX, Issue 11580, 16 May 1898, Page 4

A LESSON IN POLITENESS

Etiquette ia not the strong point of Australasian colonists. . There is, wo believe, a book of “ Australian Etiquette,” but it is not closely studied by the people of New Zealand, and for our own part we aro unable to say whether or not it contains minute directions on such abstruse questions as bow to approach an Admiral whether erect or on all fours how to address him, how to pay calls to him, and what sort of courtesy to expect from him in return. The spirit of politeness is not, however, to be found in forms and ceremonies, any more than the spirit of religion consists of posturings and incense and sacrifices j and the people of this country cannot be accused of being lacking in the essentials of courtesy, which are, in their case, manifested by a hearty hospitality and a ready recognition of the respect due to persons holding high official positions. .Representative men in Christchurch have not heretofore been charged with any failure of duty towards distinguished visitors; but they live to learn, and no doubt they will deeply appreciate and learn to profit by a lesson in politeness which has just been read to them by his Excellency the Admiral in command of the Australasian station. The flagship of the squadron, with Admiral Pearson on board, came unexpectedly into Lyttelton harbour on Wednesday evening last. No one was aware of the whereabouts of the vessel or of her intended movements. The Admiral is not inclined to be communicative to mere newspaper men, so there was no Press message warning us of the approach of the flagship. The customary telegram to the harbourmaster was not even sent from the ship’s officers. The Government officials at Wellington were not informed, apparently, of the Admiral’s intentions, for when the Mayor of Christchurch wrote for information, Ministers replied that they were unable to supply it. It was the custom of Admiral Bridge, who was: formerly in charge of thip station — and who did not, by the way, make an ostentations use of the title of “ excellency”—to advise the local authorities by telegraph of the time when he expected to be in any particular harbour. That was perhaps not strict etiquette, “according to Cocker,” but it was ordinary politeness and sound common-sense —two things that are closely allied. The new Admiral doubtless did the absolutely correct thing in coming into Lyttelton harbour unannounced, casting anchor three miles from the town and awaiting in solemn state the courtesy visits of local officials. The Mayor of Lyttelton appears to have reciprocated, in the true spirit of etiquette, by calmly ignoring the existence of the Admiral and the Royal Arthur. No doubt he had read in his Thursday morning’s paper that the flagship had arrived; but, having no official intimation of the fact, he simply went about his duties and waited developments. He is probably still waiting, and has, perhaps, invested in a copy of “ Australian Etiquette ” to find the explanation of the Admiral’s departure without calling upon him. The Mayor of Christchurch and the Chairman of the Harbour Board, not being sticklers for etiquette, and being desirous of showing every civility to the new Admiral, resolved to waive ceremony and to pay him a visit. A letter sent by Mr Loui'sson asking when it would be convenient for him to call on the Admiral, was utterly ignored, but, observing that the Royal Arthur was to leave on Saturday morning, his Worship resolved to visit the warship on Friday afternoon. The Chairman of the Harbour Board, instead of asking the Admiral to fix a day, intimated by letter that he would call on Friday afternoon. Call he did, too, although he had, meanwhile, received a letter expressing the Admiral’s regret at his inability to be on board to receive the, visitor. The form of this letter, as our readers will see, is strictly in accordance with etiquette, but’its tone is extremely rude. No reason is given for the Admiral’s inability to receive the call, except the inconsequent one that “ it is his last day at Lyttelton;” and he loftily assumes that the only object was “to seethe ship,” and graciously offers to have the Chairman and members of the Board “ shown round.” Mr Graham and his colleagues may have shown themselves novices in the refinements of etiquette by going on board after such a snub direct; but their genuine politeness and sincere desire to honour the Queen’s officer on his first visit to the port are beyond all commendation. The Mayor of Christchurch also discharged to the full the obligations of courtesy and hospitality by calling on the Admiral on Friday—only to find him “ not at home and by sending him invitations to the mayoral ball on the Queen’s Birthday. His persistent efforts to please bad their reward. On Saturday morning he received a polite note from the Admiral, regretting that he had been absent when the Mayor called, and further regretting that the departure of the Royal Arthur rendered it impossible for his Excellency to send “ an officer to return the call.” A most courtly and polished epistle, with not an insulting turn in it—only a pointed lesson in etiquette, which we are sure will pot be lost upon his Worship. Admiral Pearson has plainly intimated that even had his ship remained in haiv

hour, he should not have deemed it his duty to call upon the Mayor of Christchurch, hut would have sent an officer. We benighted people have hitherto been labouring under the delusion that there was nothing infra dignitatem in the Governor of the colony intimating to the Mayor when he would visit the city, putting himself to some inconvenience to receive the visit of his Worship, and promptly returning the call in person. But evidently a vice-regal personage may err by paying more attention to' the canons of politeness than to the rules of etiquette ; for, of course, we must assume that his Excellency Admiral Pearson has full authority and sanction for acting as he had done. People here may have an impression that a sudden and surreptitious descent upon Lyttelton, a two days’ silent and sullen stay at anchor, and a rapid departure to spend four days in dalliance at Akaroa, without seeing a single representative man, is a piece of boorish conduct; but Admiral Pearsou, of course, knows better, and will doubtless be prepared to maintain that his first official visit to Lyttelton was made in proper form so far as his part of the business was concerned. There are indications, too, that Admiral Pearson considers himself to have been slighted, and treated with marked discourtesy. To some extent we sympathise with him. The Mayor of Christchurch and the Chairman of the Harbour Board were quite too persistent in their efforts to burst in upon his Excellency’s privacy, and they deserve to be censured for compelling him to take to his boat in order to escape front their pressing attentions. But the Mayor of Lyttelton must be a man after the Admiral’s ownhearfc. Hehas certainly maintained the dignity of the town and scored off his Excellency in the matter of etiquette. It may be possible to make too much of this little “ tiff,” but there is no doubfc.it has its serious aspect. It is of great importance—especially at the present time, when there is grave apprehension of Britain .becoming engaged in war—that a cordial feeling should exist between the Admiral of the station and the colonial officials and public. Former Admirals have been most careful to cultivate that feeling, and have omitted no opportunity to interest the people in the navy and to encourage our youths ‘to adopt a naval career. Apart from that view of the matter, this country contributes to the cost of the Australasian squadron,.and the public are entitled to expect something else than a display of intolerable snobbishness in return for their, money. Admiral Pearson may be an excellent sailor, a gallant officer, and an educated man; but he is plainly not, fitted to promote Imperial federation or to maintain those friendly relations that have always prevailed between the people of this city and the visitin g vessels of the squadron. The churlish treatment accorded to our Mayor and the Chairman of the Harbour Board will not, we trust, prevent them from extending. the usual hospitals ties to any other of the Queen’s ships that may visit this part of New Zealand. Christchurch, which has an active branch of the Navy League, and has always been conspicuous for interest in naval affairs, ought to have been the last place to receive such a rebuff; and we trust that satisfactory explanations and amends will bfe speedily forthcoming.