MAORI WELCOME

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18708, 14 May 1924, Page 11

MAORI WELCOME

naval men in rotorua. . A' BOUSING RECEPTION. HAKAS AND POI DANOES. REQUEST MADE BY ARAWAS'. [BX TELEGRAPH.—OWN : CORRESPONDENT.! '' , ' ROTORUA. Tuesday. . " In \ bright sunshine Rear-Admiral Sir Hubert Brand and officers and men from the British squadron s arrived in: Rotorua to-day. The . precincts of the station were thronged with sightseers. The . guests were met on the platform by the Mayor,Mr.: C. • Clinkard, and 1 members of the Borough Council. , . ;In . the station gates the Mayor - addressed the visitors, and conveyed Rotorua's welcome. The Hon. C. J. Parr also spoke. ' Rear-Admiral Brand ■ thanked / the speakers. He expressed their gratitude to the New Zealand Government for enabling them :to . visit Rotorua, and the people, for their great welcome. The officers and men, were then conveyed to their respective quarters in a fleet of motor-cars. After lunch they journeyed to Ohinemutu r where the natives had made great preparations to receive them. Sir Joseph Ward and party, and many visitors attended. The Marae was decorated with trees and greenery./ Poi dancors in bright red skirts and blue sashes and haka men with tho sun shining on their semi -nude, glistening bodies, made a striking spectacle. The waiting natives gave a special greeting to Sir Joseph Ward, to which ho replied. • . When the Admiral arrived he was received with the usual pouwhiri, and conducted to his place by Mr. Tai Mitchell, preceded by a bearer of the Union . Jack. The incantation by which .the Arawa canoe safely reached New Zealand was recited. Cameras were being -worked furiously. ; ■ . ' ' , . The addresses of welcome were striking in force and - imagery. One speaker trostod that the; next battleship or cruiser might; be named the Arawa, Kinging cheers greeted the suggestion. A carved paddle, . a mat worn by chiefs only, and a carved pipe, were then presented. Pois and nakas were given in a most spirited manner, the naval, men keing unstinted in their applause. Sir Hubert Brand thanked the Arawas for their welcome and the dances by the ladies; also the ladies themselves. He feared ho woUld have some difficulty in getting the officers and men bade to Auckland. After seeing the haka he was glad thty cade in peace, not war. The speaker paid & tribute to the great feats of seamanship ;of the Maoris, who navigated the canod to Now Zealand in the early days, and their valour in' thr Great War, . He promised to remember the request to have a ship named Arawa. He thanked them for their sifts, anr ; called for ' three cheers for the Maor' people. These were heartily given. The National Anthem followed. ' ■ Afterwards Admiral Brand and the officers mixed among the people, shakin' hands. with the chiefs, and saluting the ladies. J . 7 > - An entertainment at Whakarewarewr will be given to-morrow. The first party of the naval visitors V make the. trip to Rotorua left. Auckland for the thermal district shortly afte seven o'clock yesterday morning. Thir party consisted of Bear-Admiral Sir Hubert Brand, 30 officers, and 300 men. who were accommodated in a special train. , ' The party, which is accompanied by Mr. J. Hislop, Under-Secretary for; Internal Affairs, is expected to return to the city about eight o'clock this evening. A further party of 20 officers and: 400 men will leave for 1 Rotorua to-morrow at 7.5 a.m., returning on Friday at 8 p.m. j/ In response to an invitation from the residents of Hamilton, a party of 350 petty officers and men will leave by special train at 7.5 a.m. to-day for that town, and after being entertained and shown the sights and industries of the district, will return to the city at 10.15 p.m.

ENTERTAINING THE MEN.

SUCCESSFUL SOCIAL CLUB.

LOCAL EFFORTS.APPRECIATED.

r The facilities for , enjoyment provided for : the . men of the visiting squadron by the. ' Auckland Branch of the Navy League in " the large club room on the Prince's Wharf, : are . already evoking expressions •of appreciation from the petty officers .and, sailors who have assured the promoters of the club that it is unique in : their experience on the present tour. The opening of the club ; has been made possible by the grant of £300 provided by the: City Council and the use of one of the large sheds granted by the Harbour Board. 7 v. ;V • -'~ : v ■ .

The freedom allowed for enjoyment has greatly appealed to the men and'already they have spent two very pleasant evenings under novel conditions. In the first place the - Navy League has provided the l men with a social club in which they j can spend their leisure hours, reading anil writing and playing cards, and other games. Then there is the information bureau at which they can obtain facts about the city, particularly as to the best sights to; be seen, and the best way ' to reach the most favoured spots, the free use of the trams,: baths and zoo extended by the City Council having - made this form of pleasure-seeking extremely easy. In addition an . efficient catering department is in the hands of the ladies of the league, assisted by members of other women's organisations in the city, and by this means the 1 men are supplied with light refreshments in ; the afternoon , and again at nine o'clock each evening. : Sailors of all nations dearly love '% a " sing-song," a form : of enjoyment which - specially • appeals to the men of . the British Navy, and ■>v each evening at v the Navy League ; Service Squadron Club the men may be heard indulging in a rather robust kind of community < singing. With the many successes of the past in mind the officers of the league haye arranged ample musical entertainment for the men. There is! an attractive little stage at one side of the huge • hall and a piano for i; the use of those : who can play it.. • The preparation of the programme has been taken in hand 1 by the - British Isles Club, which' is recruiting . all the local musical and ' elocutionary talent available in the city. ;. .: In this way the f nucleus of the programme i 3 provided and additional items are being supplied by Miss Hall's pupils, a Y.M.C.A. athletic team which gives a gymnastic and tumbling display and Maori boys and girls from the Churcn of England Schools, who. lend a piquant touch to the entertainment.; On Monday evening, when the club was first: open, over 1000 men spent a most enjoyable evening, and last evening this number was more than doubled. : \ " The sailors have readily , stated their appreciation :of the good fare provided at tho club. , .In-most other ports, they say, they have .been entertained at concert* where they have , been required to sit primly in - rows and listen to whatever was provided, bull under Auckland's different arrangement the excellent talent to be found in their own ranks is called on to supplement the local artists and the men are allowed to ' join in the choruses. In this informal way the: evening develops into a huge :, musical ; party and the. men aire in their element. D'ancing, too, is one of „ the i diversions, and with plenty of partners the' social hour passes all too quickly. i ' A boxing carnival, held under the ausi pices of the Northern Boxing Association, • m the Town Hall last evening, proved a popular function with the Navy men. The majority of the competitors were i bluejackets, and both' the visiting Fleet i and the New Zealand - Squadron were represented. A number of bouts were de- , cided, the decisions being given on points in every case. J " ■ - " : I '

EVENTS OF THE WEEK. WARSHIPS OPEN TO-DAY. . — V 1 - ■ - • GOVERNMENT HOUSE ' BALL. Following : is the programme of events .'or the remainder of the stay of the squadron in Auckland: —" . ' i ; TO-DAY. Morning.—Officers' shooting trips. ; v:, 7.5 a.m.—. petty officers leave for -Hamilton. Return 10.15 p.m. 2.15 p.m.—Automobile - Association's, notor trip for officers, round city and .üburbs. . v ' - Afternoon.; —Rifle match between officers jf H.M.S. Hood and A.R.A.; tennis Hatches . arranged by . Auckland Lawn Tennis Association. Admirals and officers return from Rotorua. r , 3 p.m.Rugby football, Squadron v. Ponsonby fourths, at Domain. 3 p.m. Squadron's Association football ma ton, -Victoria Park. Afternoon.—Golf at Middlemore, Titi-. r»ngi, or Maungakiekie links. iiivemtig.— at Government House to admirals and officers. , H.M.S. 'Hood. open for school children from 1C a.m. to noon. Open to public from 1.30 to 5 p.m. H.M.S. Repulse, open for. visits.by memjers of local bodies and. special .organisations who are assisting in entertaining, 10 %.m. to noon open to public from. 1.30 to 5' p.m. '

TO-MORROW. i Morning.Officers' shooting trips. . 7.5 a.m.—Fifty officers and men leave for Rotorua. ' f 10.30 a.m. 'Vice-Admiral and Commodore, H.M.S. Chatham, inspect Devonport 'naval yard. . " s' ( 2.30 p.m.Children'.* party, H.M.S. Repulse.^ 2.30 p.m.—Ship's' Company "At Home," H.M.S. Hood. . ' . ' Afternoon.—Golf at Middlemore, Titirangi, or Maungakiekie ' links.. Evening.Dinner to admirals and officers, H.M.S. . Chatham. Victoria and Navy League ball, Town Hall. " \ H.M.S. .'Hood'closed to - public. .H.M.S. Repulse closed to public. FRIDAY. . . v - Morning.Officers' shooting trips. Officers and men return from Rotorua. 2.30 m.Ship's company "At Home," H.M.S. Repulse. ! ■ 3 p.m. Association football match, Squadron v. New Zealand, &t Domain. A 3p.m.—Rugby football match, Squadron v. Local' Team, at Eden Park. 3 p.m. Hockey match.Squadron. v. Auckland. ' '; ' ' Afternoon.Golf, at" Middlemore, .Titirangi, or Maungakiekie links. ; Evening.—Dinner, H.M.S. Hood. H.M.S. Hood open for school children from 10 a.m. to noon; open for public, 1.33,t0 5 p.m. .. > " H.M.S. Repulse closed. 9 p.m. to 9.30 Searchlight display by. fleet. ' \ > i > • : ; , 1 SATURDAY. . - , Squadron - departs afternooft.

SEARCHLIGHT DISPLAY; ; FR DAY NIGHT'S BAT E. HALF-HOUR . PROGRAMME. Aucklanders are to be treated to a spectacular searchlight display by the snips of the Special Service Squadron on Friday evening, for half an : hour from nine o'clock. These displays created considerable interest ,in the ports v . already - visited and during the passage; of the vessels up. the ■- east coast of New Zealand^ MEAIiS FOR SCHOLARS. AN ELASTIC ORGANISATION. ' The catering organisation built, up , by , ithe Navy League is being used by the Education Department. to provide a midday meal for the school children who are daily coming' from the' country to visit the battle cruisers. On Saturday, the ladies of the league provided refreshment for 2000 of these children as well as for 700 territorials, cadets, scouts and girl guides, who formed the guard of honour when Vice-Admiral;, Field landed. ' On "Monday 316 school children were "catered for, : and 750 yesterday. An additional 1360 children • will be provided for to-day and 1475 on .Friday. • The lunch, which has been greatly appreciated by the chil- , dren, . consists of 'a roll with meat filling,: an apple • and two cakes, : arid v raspberry and lemon drinks. ' ' ' ' .