AMUSEMENTS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LIII, Issue 121, 23 May 1919, Page 8

AMUSEMENTS

GERMAN NAVAL SURRENDER

AN HISTORIC OCCASION.

There have been many dramatic incidents during the course of the Great War, but one of the ransj historic and spectacular in the annals of the British Navy was the surrender to it, of the German Fleet. Although it was only on November 18th, 1918, since this ©vent occurred, the official British Admiralty film of this Historic occasion has reached New Zealand, thanks to the enterprise of Messrs J. and N. Taifc, j and was shown for the first time in; Nelson before crowded and appreciative attendances, among those present at the evening screening being the Mayor, {'Mir W. W. Snodgrass), Mr T. A. H. Field, M.P., and other prominent citi-, zens. The youngsters at the matinee 1 were particularly demonstrative. The first scenes portrayed the of President Wilson to the Peace Conference in the leviathan steamship, George Washington, once the flower of the German mercantile marine, the Yaierland. The flagship, with the various 'escorting men-of-war, formed an impressive spectacle. The next scenes were thrilling in their appeal, representing. as-they did, the surrender of “Tirpitz’s tin fish” to. the conquerors. Jn the grev dawn Britain’s sea might ■was seen making its way out to sea, •where, at the place appointed, the beaten Germans sullenly handed over the instruments of ruthlessness "which had i been baffled by British dogedness ami tenacity. It was curious to see, forced out into the open. the long, Jean, wicked-looking shapes which have for go long skulked in the depth? of the ocean, only darting forth occasionally to -strike a swift. fatal blow at the helpless prey, and then sneak off again io their safe retreat beneath the sea. Perhaps the mos f striking feature of the surrender was the matter of faetness ( with which it was received by British officers and men. They showed no evidence of jubilation, but, on the contrary, a careful avoidance of anything that might give the impression that they were crowing over a defeated foe. The sporting spirit that is one of the finest traditions of the Navy was exemplified in their behaviour, which was purposely restrained, even to the point Of stolidity. A flotilla of surrendered submarines was also seem fit anchor m Harwich Harbour. Another thrilling sight ‘was that of the 150 U-boats being conveyed to port, headed by Admiral Tyrwhit’s squadron. The famous mystery ships were unmasked in a further senes, and were seen out in the open sea, their camouflaged lines assisting them to accomplish the splendid work which earned tueir renown. Evidence ol the organisation which made the Allied- victory possible was given in the pictures of the - Channel ferry, where whole- trains wjer© seen being shunted on to broadbeamed boats and carried across to France, there to be ran off on to the French permanent way and driven to the dumps behind the lines. \\ork in the great naval shipyards was depicted, where every man had his task and specialisation was brought to a pitch ot efficiency that has probably never been equalled before. After seeing this, it was easier to realise how it was tha Britain was able to keep up with the toll of losses exacted by Tirpitz s barbarity. Panoramic pictures of dews were shown, and each man had the “victory smile” on his face wmci the long vigil in the North Sea, through months and years of frost and 6tto w, of hurricane and blizzaid, Hart iiot been able to obliterate. A further series showed the actual surrender of the 'German High Seas Fleet to Admiral Beatty in his flagship, .Queen Elizabeth— “Big Lizzie of the Dardanelles,- which watched over New .Zaland troops as they clung to the narrow strip of Anzac. The mighty array of huge ships was seen making its way to the Firth of Forth; and scenes on the decks, showing, among others the, Kin<T and the Prince of Wales, and the principal Allied naval commanders, provoked the greatest enthusiasm. A feature of the entertainment was the singing of Madame Marie Pow_ei, wbos songs were of an appropnae character. She sang “Land of Hope ami Glorv.” mid “The Ship That s Bound for Blighty” with the greatest success, and enjoyable selections were rendered by a fine" orchstra under the baton of are reminded ot the screening of this picture in their respective districts on dates advertised. THEATRE ROYAL. V THE KENNEDY SEASON. The Kennedy Company, who will be pleasantly remembered from then last visit here h ve y ears as °’ corT !{ i abort season at the Theatre J!‘ next Monday and Tuesday, the 26th and ‘27th. They are a singularly well ÜbS company of mstremeniahsts, vocalists, and humorists, whose pro ?»»“■"» nfrl--- 1 ” m ThTulLted SSryStafi KSh Kennedy - the authentic centre ot the entertainment. This youthful virtuoso has had of almost meteoric success. Ho learned his art in Vienna largely a d when presented the critics a g iet ‘ ~ he was sure to become one of lew really great executants of the day. Mi Kennedy will play at the _ the brilliant and difficult , Trills Sonata” (Taxtmi), a composition by Kreisler, and ° florid and effective piece. Songs of th. Birds,” in the interpretation .of which Die artist is said to reveal unique tecln Pique. The soprano ot the trOU P® ® Miss Bronwen Foirhall, and another notable singer is Miss Mimmie Bioaidiieff, a Russian mezzo-sopiana, whose rendition of popular ballads » said to Be most sympatheic. The > h "™ or °" B side of the bill is provided by Mi. Ad Cree. and Muss Jennie C ee. Mr .Cm. is a. Scotch humourist and chaiacter comedian, whose worth has won unique favour, while Miss Cree is a society entertainer, excelling in musical monologues and songs at the piano- A towu oi strength throughout the arduous programmes is Madame Bertha Kennedy who is a distinguished solo p«™t a* well as a sympathetic accoinpnmst. rkc first programme includes opeiatic ensembles, a> Scotch comedietta, and numeious lighter diversions to balance the sod deisiduum of high class music. Thcbox plan is now on view at Beggs whera patrons may reserve their seats without extra charge.