THE FLEET

Northland Age, Volume 25, Issue 16, 13 August 1925, Page 3

THE FLEET

AS SEEN AT AWANUI. OUR GREAT DAY. To old Bert, (^Auckland. Dear Bert,—Here I am strain to send you along a line to tell you about the visit of Uncle Sam’s Fleet to Awanui. We had a great time. Although last Tuesday was not the statutory half holiday within the meaning of the Act, Mayor George T. J., of Awanui, and Mayor Jay Bee, of the commercial focus, declared a whole holiday to celebrate the visit of our Amurkan cousins. All the schools, banks, legal offices, auctioneers and public offices and other places where no one works were closed. The newspaper offices remained open as usual. , There were many sad hearts the night before when the sky looked like rain, an almost unheard of thing in the Winterless, and it seemed as if the great holiday would be ruined and the sight of a life-time spoilt. But Tuesday morning brokesunny and clear, as the newspaper reporters say, and the heavens were kind for the occasion.

At an early hour hundreds of children, teachers, bank clerks, lawyers, landagents, clergymen, farmers, and others of less humble lines of endeavour were marching hot-footed to the vantage points around the Awanui Harbour, all filled with keen anticipation. The horizon was eagerly watched for the Gist sign of the fleet, and there was great excitement when a trail of smoke was seen off Kaimaumau. Frantic cheers broke the morning stillness. In its excitement the crowd unconsciously pushed forward to get a better view of the great fleet, and unfortunately many were r shoved into the sea. The front row lost their “possie," but no harm was done. It was noted that George, with commendable enterprise, had taken up a strategic position near the heads to tell the boys the Eighth Amendment of the Volstead Act did not apply in the North. (Loud cheers) George was wearing a starred and striped tie, to symbolise with “Old Glory”. George always rises to the occasion. But business is business. WIRELESS FROM WAIHARARA. Ripples of excitement continued as the time passed and rose to fever heat when a wireless came from Waiharara stating that the fleet had passed safely and that a deputation had interviewed the Admiral with flags and urged the need for the Kauri Gum Control Bill; also the Awanui Harbour Bill. The Admiral, however, was non-committal anjl also firmly refused to give any opinion regarding the prospects of the Waipap course being ready for the January meeting. Local sports were rather disappointed at his attitude, but did not allow it to damp their enthusiasm over the visit. Circling in the fine harbour, the Beet swang over Kaingaroa way, where opportunity was taken by Alf Long to present the Admiral with a brief address and seme specimens of road making materials from Stuart’s contract at Fairburns. A deputation also asked that the Unahi Road be metalled as soon as possible. Admiral Robinson was manifestly pleased, and in the course of a short reply expressed his pleasure at visiting these lone outposts of the British Empire, the far-flung bottle lines of civilisation as it were. These interesting wireless messages were delivered to the waiting throng by Dick Wrathall, who made one of his famous orations from the top of the lime works. CAR BEATS FLEET. Supreme excitement raged when Jack

Leydon in his new (name available at V advertising rates) came racing into AwaTW? ../I’TV:,:.,: the fleet from W aiharara, thanks to the good road put down by the riding member, Ned Evans. How Jack escaped a prosecution for breaking the speed by-law remains a mystery. I At last the great fleet moved slowly and majestically into the Awanui River. One felt a glorious thrill at the sight—the grim grey ships of war sailing up this fine waterway. The majestic California, one of the greatest battleships that ever sailed the seas, led the way, closely followed by her consorts, the West Virginia, New Mexico, Mississipi, Idaho. Colorado, Maryland and Tennessee. A solemn hush fell over the breaihless spectators as Arthur Northwood got his camera into position. It was now proposed that the flagship should fire a salute, but Davy (an old marine) megaphoned the Admiral that Bill Farrimond was on the Kaitaia bowl, ing green and was just about to try one of his fancy shots and for the love of Mike not to disturb him as it would be something out of the box. Being a good Yankee sport Admiral Robinson saved his powder. The Admiral congratulated being still “on deck.” As the majestic ships, symbols of Ame ;. tea’s mighty sea power, rode at anchor near the Awanji wharves, the Kaitaia Bra s Bind, with Bo McMahon on the bridge, sen: a marital strain ringing over the countryside. The massed bands of the fleet replied with “The Star Spangled Bamer" and “Yankee Doodle.” Despite the pessimism of many in Fairburn, Vic. ® loria Valley and Takahue it was noted that the fl »et had enough water to settle down in. , It was intended to hold a civic reception in Evans’ Hail to the gallant Admirals and ” officers of the Fleet, but unfortunately it was found that both Dick and Alf had mislaid their speeches, and the reception had to be washed out. After having been shown the lime works, the new factory, the racecourse and the guafieids, the visitors were motored to Kaitaia and were received by a deputation of west-enders who asked that the kerbing - and chaneliing be continued both sides as far as the Central Hotel. After consulting with Bob Dean the

Admiral said he would bring the matter before Congiesson his return to Washington. Later the visitors were taken to see the new hospital site, the river, Sunray Park, the tarred surface on Redan Road, and the fine dairying land along the valley. The Chamber of Commerce thought this was an excellent idea of doing a bit of advertising overseas. The proposed illumination of Commerce St at night fell through, as it was found that some s.p.q.r. had pinched Ellis Hick's benzine lamp. However, a little thing like (hat did not affect the cheerful crowds who thronged the street, for it was the day ot days. It was our Great Day. Cheerio Yours, Alf. Kaitaia 12/8/25.