H.M.S. Leander Visit; Social Side

Northern Advocate, 21 July 1938, Page 2

H.M.S. Leander Visit; Social Side

Promptly at 8.30 a.m. on Monday, the cruiser. H.M.S. Leandor. which had been spending a week at Russell, weighed anchor and steamed off for Kawau Island, where she is to join the flagship of the Squadron. H.M.S. Achilles, in gunnery exercises in the Hauraki Gulf. As usual, the visit of a unit of the New Zealand Division of the Royal Navy meant a round of gaiety, and members of the fairer sex came from all corners of the Bay to participate in the various functions arranged in honour of the visitors. Deep Sea Entertainers, The Bay of Islands Swordfish and Mako Shark Club led the way with a very successful dance on Wednesday, July !3. The Town Hall was tastefully decorated for the occasion, a hard-working band of women helpers produced an excellent supper, and the musical requirements were supplied by the H.M.S. Leander’s dance orchestra. Tire dance went with a swing from start to finish. Many novelties were introduced, winners in the competition being Mrs H. M. Ross and Mr V. Bell (spot waltz). Miss P. Clarke and partner (Monte Carlo), and Miss M. Shadlock arid partner ducky coin). The following night’s function, a civic dance tendered by the Russell Town Board, was equally successful, a representative gathering of Bay residents being present. Saturday evening was given up to many private parties, and the social round finished up on Sunday evening with an orchestral concert given in the Town Hall by the cruiser's full orchestra of twelve. A well-filled house expressed appreciation of the popular and melodious compositions rendered by the orchestra.

1 Nearly 295,000 applications have been received from persons wishing to become contributors under the pensions scheme in Britain, which was brought into being by the passage of the Pensions Act of last year. Over 210.000 applicants have already been accepted, and a big increase in the volume of applications is expected toward the end of this year, as the period during which specially advantageous terms are offered to older applicants will expire at the beginning of 1939. It is estimated that there are some 2,000,000 men and women outside the scope of the existing widows’, orphans’ and old age pensioners’ schemes who are qualified to insure for pensions under the new Act.