AUCKLAND RECEPTION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18635, 29 April 1924, Page 9

AUCKLAND RECEPTION.

BERTHING OF FLAGSHIPS. THE AQUATIC DISPLAY . HARBOUR BOARD ARRANGEMENTS. Tie Auckland programme : f or the reception of the officers ai d men of the Imperial Special Service Squadron are practically complete. The Mayor, Mr. J. H. Gunson, stated yesterday that he was awaiting confirmation of a few remaining details. When this was received the full programme would be announced. The chairman of the Harbour Board, Mr. H. It. Mackenzie, yesterday expressed the hope that Auckland yachtsmen would turn out en masse on the day bf the arrival of the squadron, Saturday, May 10, and thus ensure that the procession of yachts and. launches would be a did-' play worthy of Auckland's pleasure fleet. Detailing the arrangements Mr. Mackenzie said the two flagships, the Hood and Delhi, would berth at 9.30 a.m., and the remainder of the fleet would come in at 10.30 a.m.

The sheds on the Prince's Wharf would be brilliantly illuminated where the Hood berthed with appropriate wording on each shed. The whole front of the launch landings as far as the Ferry Buildings would be decorated likewise. The Harbour Board offices would bear a typical worded Maori welcome, which translatedis "Welcome, Welcome, Brave Sons of the Sea." It could be said, continued Mr. Mackenzie, that it would be the finest display the Auckland Harbour Board had ever provided. Five hundred cadets from the secondary schools and a troop of Sea Scouts would line the Prince's Wharf, in addition to the guard of honour. Arrangements bad Been made to accommodate up to 3000 citizens within and on Prince's Wharf sheds to witness the berthing. The west side of Queen's Wharf and all other wharves would be open to the general public. On the morning of Monday, May 12, the official opening of Prince's Wharf by His Excellency the Governor-General would take place, and chairs would be provided for 400 guests. Outside this arrangement ample provision would be made for the public, to whom the board extended a hearty welcome. A feature of the visit to Auckland of the Special Service Squadron will be a ceremonial march by officers and men through the city on Tuesday, May 13, starling at 10 a.m. The route will be up Queen Street to Karangahape Road, and into Symonds Street, thence into Anzac Avenue and back to the waterfront. The inarch would be an impressive sight said the Mayor, Mr. J. H. Gunson, yesterday, and it was desirable that as many citizens as possible should witness it. He intended asking employers to close their premises between the hours of 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. to allow employees to see the march.