GREAT DEMONSTRATION OF WELCOME TO VISITORS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 19094, 12 August 1925, Page 14

GREAT DEMONSTRATION OF WELCOME TO VISITORS.

..; ::) .' t - k ..; _ . : : .;•■•• . '•••'' • ' •* RENEWED PLEDGES OF FRIENDSHIP AND GOODWILL. A radiant morning, the gentle southern breeze rippling the placid waters of the Hauraki Gulf, was but the first hint of the warm welcome that awaited the ships of the United States Battle Fleet as they turned in from the Pacific yesterday morning to pay the long expected visit to Auckland. Shortly after noon the great ships came abreast of the Rangitoto beacon and, taking pilots aboard, were guided to their allotted anchorages in the Waitemata. . Every vantage point around the city was thronged with sightseers long before midday when it was expected that the ships would be within the harbour limits, but although it was almost one o'clock before the leading vessel, Admiral Robison's flagship California, showed around North Head, the spectators waited in pleasurable anticipation of the great spectacle which they knew was ahead. By noon the sky had become slightly overcast and this only served to make the appearance of the seaplanes, which heralded the coming of the battleships, the more effective. The innumerable spectators lining the foreshores, straining their eyes for the first glimpse of the visiting ships, were delighted to see planes suddenly come into view out of the cloud-flecked sky over toward North Head. Manoeuvring high overhead and keeping formation with the most amazing precision, the planes soared away to the West as if spying out safe resting places for their monstrous motherships. With a roar like thunder, the fliers returned sailing low over the city and separated. Thousands of upturned eyes followed their movements. Presently another trio of planes came into view out of the haze over the channel and presently there were six or seven of them hovering and circling in all directions. The first glimpse of the ships gained by the city watchers was that of the lattice turrets of the California showing over the low land toward Cheltenham. Presently the clipper bow of the California showed beyond North Head and her low outline was agleam in a burst of brilliant sunshine. Ship after ship swung into the harbour in a splendid line of strength and beauty, while guns boomed in an exchange of salutes.

Official courtesy calls commenced immediately and these were followed by a stirring welcome to the visitors in the Town Hall, where the Deputy-Mayor, Mr. J. A. Warnock, and Sir James Parr, representing the General Government of the Dominion, assured the admiral and his officers of the friendship felt by the people of the Dominion for the citizens of their own great country. The tone of the gathering was that of a reunion of kinsfolk and the visitors were reminded of the common ancestry, language, sentiment and democratic ideals of the two peoples. The admiral's brief reply had the same theme and his earnest statement that they came not only as friends but as comrades in the Great War made a profound impression.

Late in the afternoon, the liberty men commenced to come ashore and when about four thousand of them had landed the gaily-decked streets, thronged also with thousands of citizens, presented a memorable spectacle. A reception was held in the Town Hall last night by the American Consul at Auckland, Mr. Walter F. Boyle.

It is officially announced that the flagship California will berth at the Prince's Wharf to-day.