THE FLYING SQUADRON AT MELBOURNE.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume IV, Issue 295, 17 December 1869, Page 2

THE FLYING SQUADRON AT MELBOURNE.

-•"'' ;-,■.■'■ ■- .v.;- . . . . o— — — r-. ■-.' A picnic bna magnificent scale has been 'igiveh'.to the officers of thie -squadron by the Mayor of Melbourne, at J^erutree Gully,, about 23 miles out of. the .city. The guests, nearly 500 in number, were^ conveyed to* the ,spot ;; in; : carriages '''engaged:';:for;:'.,the' :: occasion by the^May or j and on arriving at f ;,the^sc^^;-,^ifv^6;^day's • amusement, an •

I enormous marquee was to be seen, withia which were tables loaded, to the utmost extent with eatables, while, according to the Argus, .a speciai providence looked , after those who were thirstily disposed and placed before them "grosses of boHles of lemonade and gingerbeer; enormous bowls, frequently replenished, of light champagne and claret punch, with stronger"'drinks for those who preferred them.". A- most delightful day was spent, and the champagne punch seems to have done its work well upon one person afc least — the reporter of the Argus — who, in describing the scene, writes in the following rapturous strain:— " The fern tree's grow afc different heights, and afc such irregular iufcervals tha^ the slanting frondes produced the effect of aa arched roof groined at ever-varying angles. The tints were of all shades of green °the older sprays deep aud brownish, and the younger fresh as the color of shoal water at sea. Every novv and then the branches would be lit; up with sunshine, and as the glistening rays peeped into the recesses of the glen the view seemed incomparable. The murmuring noise of the trickling waters, the laughter of the scrambling girls, and the occasional strains of a band of music, greatly heightened the sensations of- enjoyment experienced, and to which frequent exclamations of'delighted surprise bore ample witness." On the day following the picnic, the children of the various schools were, at the request of the Admiral, allowed to visit the squadron. Over 6UOO children went on board, much to the delight ofthe sailors, who appear to have been charmed with their youthful visitors, " carrying the younger ones about in their arms and regaling them with, cakes, preserves, fruit, and biscuits from their own private stores, while to the last thousand or two tea was served out." A naval review, which does not appear to have been generally appreciated, was held on the Saturday. The following extract from a private letter received iv Nelson describes the disappointment that was felt on the occasion : — " The Flying Squadron is here — six ships manned by about 4000 men. They have been feted in every direction, and yesterday was appointed as the day for a naval review. The Omeo, . Claud Hamilton, RaDgitoto, Tamar, Southern Cross, and heaps of other steamers were advertised to convey visitors to the scene of action, and thousands of the citizens went to visit so grand a spectacle, but, oh, such a sell! The blessed squadron tripped anchor, steamed down the harbor and back again and the review was over ! Not a gun was fired except when the Governor went on board the Admiral's ship, and to add to the enjoyment it came ou to rain as it knows how to do in this part of the world— one of those rains that you like to hear plashing on the roof when you are snugly- towed away between the blankets, but don'fc care about when you are out on a pleasure excursion. Many a bright sovereign was paid away for fares on that day and never was money more unsatisfactorily spent."