WATCHERS ON THE SHORE.

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

WATCHERS ON THE SHORE.

CITY AN AMPHITHEATRE. HARBOUR AS THE STAGE. CURIOSITY AND ADMIRATION. All Auckland gathered round the waterfront yesterday to see the American battle fleet arrive. The city wa3 a colossal amphitheatre, of which the sun-lit harbour was tho stage. By 11.30 a.m. tho hills and eminences on both sides of tho Waitcmata were dotted, fjer after tier, with human figures, while tho wharves and tho roofs of city buildings were black with spectators.

Tho slopes of Mount Edon, Mount Hobson, and even One Tree Hill, were eagerly patronised, and proved excellent vantage ipoints for viewing the magnificent spectaclo. Tho sloping ground in tho neighbourhood of Orakei was a regular.parking placo for motor-cars, and hundreds of people saw the fleet come in from this ideal harbour site. Mount Victoria, on tho northern side of the harbour, was similarly besieged, while thousands of sightseers lined the cliffs and foreshore on both sides of the harbour.

Novel Vantage Points. Extraordinary things were done to view the fleet's arrival to -the bost advantage. Adventurous men and youths mounted the cranes on the wharves, sat astride the advertising hoardings in Anz'ac Avenue and mado themselves at homo on narrow lodges that overlooked tho harbour from the sixth and seventh storeys of city warehouses. Ono man rowed out in his dinghy to the sandspit beacon, .off North Head, while another mado a similar trip to the Bean Rock light and watched the battleships pass at. speaking distance. A thrill passed through the waiting crowds as the first glimpse was caught of tho California rounding North Head, and there was a buzz of excitement.

In a day that was singularly free f."'jm noisy demonstration, this was the o<ily time when the people gave voice to anything approiiching a cheer. Curiosity, blended .with admiration at the imposing appearance of the fleet, was the dominant note, and every movement of the 1 great vessels, - every action of the seaplanes overhead,- was watched with eager eyes. Landing of the Admirals.

No sooner had the fleet dropped anchor than a further diversion was provided by the arrival and departure at the Admiralty launch steps of the smart motor pinnaces conveying those making courtesy calls to Admiral Robison. A large crowd gathered opposite, the steps in Quay Street, but fully an hour went by before the admirals on the various battleships arrived to return the calls and attend the civic reception in the Town Hall. The scene at the launch steps was also marked by the quietness of the crowd. Here, doubtless, it was due to the fact that the landing ceremony was practically hidden from the public by the Harbour Board's gear sheds, and the fact that the ceremony was of brief duration. The admirals, moreover, were conveyed to the Town Hall in closed cars and the crowds which lined. the • route to tho Town Hall had very little opportunity to glimpse the distinguished visitors beyond an occasional flash of gold braid. It was three o'clock when the landing ceremony was over and a rush was • made for the city restaurants in a ; belated endeavour to appease whetted appetites. From 1 p.m. to 3 p.mi it was, extremely difficult to find seriting accommodation in tho Queen Street tearooms and dining rooms and in some cases the managements were obliged to display "houso full" notices.

Those pooplo who, besides witnessing the arrival of tho fleet, came into Queen Street in the evening to watch the crowds arid tho visiting sailors, had an unusually tiring, if interesting, day.

THE ADMIRAL'S ORCHESTRA

CONCERT AND DANCE MUSIC. EACH SHIP HAS A BAND. The orchestra on tho flagship California is tho only official orchestra of the United Slates Battle Fleet. Each battleship has a band, and most of them have an orchestra mado up from members of tho band, but this orchestra is a separato organisation from the ship's band. The complete orchestra consists of 15 men for concert work, but nino and ten men are used to the best, advantage for dance music. Their duties are to play for tho Cornmander-iii-Chicf. United States Battle Fleet, only, for his social functions and at luncheon and dinner hours. It is made up from the best picked men of the battle fleet and is tho pride of everyone concerned.

On board their home ship, the flagship of tho battle fleet, tho California, is a crack band of 28 pioces, so the personnel has two musical organisations they are proud of, to help enjoy themselves while away from homo on cruises as this. Tho loader of tho admiral's orchestra is Bandmaster W. M. Sisler, and the leader of the ship's band is Mr. It. Montanez.

THE CLOSE OF THE DAY.

LOWERING THE COLOURS

At sunset tho Stars and Stripes flying at the stern of the battleships were low ered with-impressive formality. The smart marines paraded, and while their bands played the "Star-Spangled Banner" the flags were slowly lowered from tho jackstaff, the marines presented arms and all on tho quarter-deck stood at the salute.