H.M.S. RENOWN.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVIII, Issue 18411, 18 May 1920, Page 4

H.M.S. RENOWN.

.VISITS TO SHIP. NAVY LEAGUE AND JUSTICES OF THE PEACE. Yesterday H.M.S. Renown was closed to the general publio, but thrown open to members of tho Navy League, the Justices of the Peace Association, and the guests of the warrant officers, who were “ at Home” on the quarter-deck. Tho number of persons who visited the ship was very great, and the railway arrangements were highly unsatisfactory, tho sale of tickets being badly congested, while at one timo it was completely stopped owing to a shortage of tickets. .Many holders of first-class tickets had to ride in second-class carriages, and many others had to stand. On hoard the Renown tho visitors were given the free run of the ship, and their inspection was most thorough. The Mayor and Mayoress of Christchurch, were among the visitors during the afternoon. About fifty invitations to afternoon tea were issued to the ladies’ committee of the Navy League, and these were distributed among members.

MEN OF H.M.S. RENOWN. YESTERDAY’S ENTERTAINING. A number of‘men from 11.M.5. Renown made a train excursion to Ashburton yesterday, and were given a royal welcome. The men on leave in the city wore entertained at high tea in the barracks, tho ladies auxiliary of the Navy League, under Mrs Wilson, providing tea and also supper for the danco which followed_ There were many men on'the dancing floor, and fine music was supplied by Air Willyams’ band. The supper arrangements were such that tho men from the ship and their partners had precedence, and the ladies serving stood behind the tables, which were placed in tho form of a hollow square. Dancing was kept up very keenly until a late hour, and the moil had no lack of partners. TO-DAY’S PROGRAMME. Three hundred men from the warship will bo motored out to Motukarara today for an outing and sports meeting. Tho Automobile Association will provide the cars, which are expected to number over a, hundred. They will start from Cathedral Square at 10 a.m. This evening thero will be high tea as usual for all men on leave, provided by the Women’s National Reserve. Tho usual dance will follow in King Edward Barracks, and men desiring to stay overnight in town will ho billeted at the Y.M.C.A

OTHER FIXTURES. To-morrow night the Navy League will entertain the warrant ollicers at the Navy League Hall. The last entertainment of the kind was so successful that the men asked if they might oome again. There will be dancing, and one or two good musical items, which wore very favourably received on the last occasion. A PARTY AT ASHBURTON. A party of twenty-eight sailors from the Renown arrived at Ashburton by tho midday express yesterday. They were met on the platform and welcomed by the Mayor, the Mayoress and Miss Galbraith, and afterwards entertained at luncheon. Subsequently the men were driven to the domain, where there was a big gathering during the afternoon. An enjoyable programme of chilclren’s sports was pan off. A ladies’ hockey tourney was also played as well as a soven-a-side football tournament. At tho luncheon given to the sailors, one of the bluejackets warmly thanked the Mayor and the people of Ashburton for tho hearty welcome which had been extended to them. He apologised for the small number of sailors present and remarked that they were receiving so many invitations that it was impossible to accept them all. BLUEJACKETS VISIT DUNEDIN.

A HOSPITABLE RECEPTION.

Sixty men of H.M.S. Renown, under Lieutenant Platt and Midshipman Gower, left Christchurch at 11 p.m. on Friday by special train for Dunedin. They were well supplied with refreshments on the journey by the ladies of Asliburton and Oamaru, who stayed up till the small hours for the men. The party arrived in Dunedin at 745 a.m. on Saturday and were received by Mr C. E. Statham, M.P., who welcomed them in a few kind words. The party then motored to the Y.M.C.A., where they bathed and breakfasted. They spent the morning leisurely, and after luncheon had a street procession to Caledonian football ground, where the ship’s soccer teams met Otago. The hoys’ team, under 18, played a, curtain raiser which resulted in a draw 2-2. The Senior team of H.M.S. Eeiimvn then met a representative Otago team before an attendance of 4000 spectators. At half-time Otago were leading by two to nil, but at the finish Renown were victorious by 4 to 2. The game was very keen and clean, and the.enthusiasm of the crowd was beyond words. The teams motored back to the Y.M.C.A., where the men bathed and had tea. The Senior team were entertained at the Overseas Club at a smoko concert by the members of the Otago Football Association. Mr S. Myers, president of the association, presided, and Mr Stalham and representatives of “Soccer’’ and Rugby were also present. The president proposed a toast in honour of the visit of H.M.S. Renown, and the toast, of the Navy was proposed by Mr Statham, and Lieutenant Platt responded. The toast of the Renown football team was proposod by the captain of the Otago team and responded to by the captain of the Renown team (Leading-Seaman Tandy). The entertaining during the evening was done by members of the ship’s concert party, who gave copiic songs and other musical items, and the evening was most successful. The boys’ team, meanwhile, were entertained by the J. 0. Williamson management at the Theatre Royal.

On Sunday morning the ship’s party were marched to church parade at St Paul’s Cathedral, much enthusiasm being shown by the crowds of onlookers. A special service was conducted by Bishop Nevill, and after church the Bishop addressed the men in the street before a large gathering of people. The men lunched at the Y.MC.A., and at 2 p.m. a procession of ten motor-cars took thorp to Lake Waihola, where an excellent tea was served bv the hotel proprietor. After tea, in ’Dunedin, the men were entertained by the Y.M.C.A. and local ladies at a social evening. The party left Dunedin by special train fivo minutes after midnight on Sunday. Quite a number of enthusiasts saw the men off, and the sailors cheered their hosts most enthusiastically. The train arrived at Christchurch at. 8 a.m yesterday, and the party bathed and breakfasted at the Y.M.C.A. before returning to the ship. The teams played Canterbury later on in the day, but after their, long journey could not do themselves justice. All the men enjoyed the southern trip so much that they were sorry to leave Dunedin. They were extremely grateful to the Y.M.C.A and the people of Dunedin on their part were greatly impressed with the good behaviour of .the men, and Lieutenant Platt received many congratulations also on their smartness and cleanliness. THE CHILDREN’S VISIT. The children who will visit H.M.S. Renown to-morrow are specially requested not to throw rubbish about the ship, and if Ificy have fruit to throw the remnants oyerboard Teachers are requested to keep the children under control as much as possible. CONCERT ON FRIDAY. The ship’s band and concert party "ill give a concert cm Friday in the

Choral Hall, in aid of the Y.M.C.A. The concert will be similar to those given on board before the Prince of Wales.

WATER POjLO. The following have been selected to represent tho New Brighton Surf Club against H.M.S. Renown at tk© Mumcipal Baths at 8 o’clock to-liorrow night: -Forwards, R. Coulter S Hollander, A. E. Summeriield; half-backs, D. T. Coulter and F. L. Collins; full-back, C. Bryant; goal, B. S. Knox. It ie the intention of the club to entertain their opponents at supper after the match. . Tho Alayor has asked Admiral Halsey to allow the Renown’s band to play in Latimer Scfuaro on© afternoon before the vessel leaves Lyttelton. Canterbury members of Parliament will visit the Renown to-day, leaving Christchurch at 10 a.m. In connection with the visit of the school children to the Renown tomorrow head teachers are requested to inform the District Railways Traffic Manager of the number of children (S. IV. and upwards) desirous of visiting the warship, and to inquire of the local stationmasters as to whether it has been found practicable to make the necessarv arrangements and if so, the times of departure of the trains. No adults other than teachers and committeemen in charge of children will be admitted on board. Trains for invited guests to the “ at home ” on the Renown to-day will leave Christchurch at 2.45 p.m. and 2.55 p m-, returning at 5.10 p.m. and 5.20 p.m. The 2.55 p.m. train will not slop at intermediate stations-