THE SAILORS' GOLD.

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

THE SAILORS' GOLD.

MEN SPENDING FREELY.

A VARIETY OF PURCHASES. RUGS AND MAORI CURIOS. Gold in fairly large quantities is again in circulation in Auckland. Gold as currency practically disappeared in the early days of tho war and until the coming of tho American Fleet it was rare to seo one of these coins in New Zealand. Now, however, sovereigns, freshly minted in Australia for the benefit of the naval visitors, are passing over tho counters of retail establishments.

It was stated yesterday by men of the fleet that they had received pay after leaving Sydney so that they wero in possession of ample funds when they came ashore. By all accounts they arq free spenders. They had not. been ashore very long before they were in shops of all kinds making purchases. Officers and men alike bought New Zealand rugs and tikis and other Maori curios. Their desire for illustrated papers seemed hard to satisfy and tho sweets and soft drinks shops did record business.

Tho experience of most of the shops was that the Americans appeared to have a very good idea of British currency and knew how much change to expect when; they tendered a sovereign in payment for a small purchase. Now and again they tendered American money, but in many cases this was refused, the shopkeepers being disinclined to handle it, possibly on account of tho bother of having to convert it into local currency. However, thero should be no hesitation on this account for tho banks aro prepared to change American money on the following terms:—For the cent, id; silver dollar, 4s Id; five dollar gold eagle, £1 Os sdj ten dollar gold eagle, £2 Os lOd.

A BRILLIANT SCENE.

LANDING OF ADMIRALS.

A GALAXY OF UNIFORMS.

The landing of the admirals and flagofficers of the fleet formed a brief, but brilliant scene. Admiral S. S. Robison arrived at the Admiralty launch 6_teps by motor-pinnace at 2.40 p.m., and, in company with Vice-Admiral H. A, Wiley, commander of the battleship division, Rear-Admiral L. A. Bostwick, Chief of Staff, Rear-Admiral W. D. MacDougall, commander of battleship division 4, and Rear-Admiral Hugh Rodman, retired, was greeted by a military salute from a guard of honour drawn up at the landing stage. This comprised 50 non-commissioned officers and men of the First Battalion, Auckland Regiment, under the command of Captain J. R. Gray. As the party of admirals stood at the salute afc the top of the landing stage, the band of the Auckland Regiment struck up " The Star Spangled Banner." The visitors wero attired in full admiral's uniform, and the gold of their epaulettes and cocked hats shone and glistened in the sun. A large number of spectators witnessed the landing and lined the route of the motor-cars which conveyed the admirals to the Town Hall. The paying of official courtesy calls upon Admiral Robison on board the California commenced immediately after the ship dropped anchor. First came the New Zealand naval representative, Commander F. N. Miles, the marines, who wear a uniform of navy blue tunics with red facings and sky blue trousers, making a smart guard of honour. The American Consul. Mr. Walter E. Boyle, the chairman of the Harbour Board, Mr. H. R. Mackenzie, the Deputy-Mayor, Mr. J. A. Warnock, and Colonel H. R. Potter, officer commanding the Northern Command, following. Calls were also made by each of the captains of the Fleet, all wearing frock coats and cocked hats. The ceremonies were practically the same as those carried out on British ships, although perhaps in a more freo and easy style

LAUNCHING AEROPLANES.

" CATAPULTED " IN THE AIR.

The apparatus by which tho American aeroplanes, or to use tho term of the United States Navy " airplanes," are launched into flight from the stern of the battleships is one of the few features not officially discussed The invention is evidently regarded as important and more or less exclusive. It may be said, however, that the " catapult" applianco uses a slow-burning explosive, or compressed air. Most use the latter form -of propelling power. The charge sends tho airplane into the air at a speed of about 60 miles an hour and the running engine of tho machine is able to pick up tho weight before the force of tho " toss "is lost: When the airplanes have finished their flight they descend to the water alongside their ship, are floated on to pontoons and thus hoisted on board.

One of the drawbacks of' flying craft being carried in this way is the difficulty of recovering them safely in heavy weather ana thus the American Navy possesses aeroplane carriers with long clear decks on. which the machines can land, similar to those of tho British Navy. There is no doubt, however, that battleships with catapult equipment have greatly increased, powers of observation, to say nothing of. the offensive capacity of bombing machines.