FIRST FLEET WEEK-END.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 19098, 17 August 1925, Page 10

FIRST FLEET WEEK-END.

A VARIED PROGRAMME. CROWDS IN THE CITY.

BATTLESHIPS THRONGED.

VISITS TO ROTORUA.

SHIPS AGAIN OPEN TO-DAY.

Glorious weather was enjoyed by tho visitors of the fleet during tho week-end and, though there was ft keen bite in the air, brilliant sunshine brought thousands of peoplo outdoors. A special train from tho Waikato brought hundreds of country visitors into the city yesterday morning, augmenting tho thousands of visitors who arrived last week. Hotels, boarding houses and restaurants wero besieged at tho luncheon -and dinner hours yesterday, many people having to he turned away. Many and varied were the modes of entertainment patronised by tho visitors. Tho football matches 011 Saturday afternoon wero fairly well patronised by both officers and men, whilo hundreds of the visitors spont tho day at tho Ellcrslio races.

Admiral Robison and the 200 officers •who spent two days in Rotorua returned on Saturday evening after a memorable experience in the thermal rogions. Tho admiral and his staff were present later in tho evening at the Savage Club korero at tho Scots Hall, where, together with 100 officers, ho was entertained by a score of members attired in Maori mats and war paint.

Parties of officers wore entertained by both the Devonport and Onehunga Orphans' Clubs on Saturday evening. An informal entertainment was also given to a number of officers by the Amateur Operatic Society. A complimentary concert was tendered to tho men of the fleet by tho Municipal Band in the Town Hall on Saturday evening, Madame Veta Cornwall and Miss Nellie Lingard assisting as vocalists. The club-room conducted by the Navy League at tho Prince's Wharf was particularly well patronised, about 1000 sailors being presont on Saturday evening whon dancing was in progress. Last evening an excellent concert was provided by leading artists. Five hundred petty officers and men from the battleships paid a flying visit to Rotorua on Saturday. A special train left Auckland in the morning, returning lato the same night. Although the actual time spent in Rotorua was limited, the men enjoyed the experience immensely and had few dull moments. There were record attendances of the public on the warships yesterday, ferry steamers and launches being crowded with sightseers bound ior the battleships in the stream.

Fifty officers will leave this morning for Hamilton and 200 officers for Rotorua. Tho ships will again bo open to the public from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. In the evening the Northern Club's ball will bo held at the Scots Hall in honour of the admirals and officers of the fleet. Tho Auckland Automobile Association lias arranged a motor drive for the men of the fleet to-day. Cars will assemble at tho Princes Wharf at 2 p.r:. and will run round tho suburbs for about two Lours. Further runs will be undertaken each day this week.

Admiral Robison has invited the officials and employees of the Auckland city tramways to visit tho California thin morning and to-morrow afternoon with their families. This action has been taken in exchange for the coartesy of the Tramways department in granting free use of the trams to the fleet's personnel. The arrangement will enable the men of both shifts to avail themselves of the opportunity. The admiral has also invited the King's Empire Veterans and the Nava) Veterans on board the California on Wednesday. A reception and dance will bo heW on board the flagship at 3 p.m. on Thursday.

CONTEST ON TIIE RANGE. SAILORS VERSUS SOLDIERS. SEATTLE TEAM AT TRENTHAM. [BY TELEGRArir. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.] WELLINGTON. Sunday.

A rifle team from the flagship Seattlo met a team from the Returned Soldiers' Association, ton ,men aside, at Trentbam. The weather was bad. Rain, sleet and ■wind, with occasional gleams of sunshine, made tho conditions about as difficult as have ever beeti experienced at the range, which is notorious for its trickiness. The naval men led by four points at 300 yds, four at 500 and 39 at 600, their Vjtal being 883 to tho soldiers' £36. Lieutenant Williams, captain of the visitors,' put on 101 out of tho possiblo 105, getting tho possible at 300 yds, 32 at 500 yds and 34 at 600 yds. American ammunition uas a higher volocity than New Zealand, which is an advantago in bad weather.

AN AMERICAN " HAKA."

FUN BY THE WAYSIDE,

INCIDENT AT PUTARURU.

The trip to Rotorua which was made on Friday and Saturday by Admiral Robisou and a party of officers was replete with bright incidents, but nono was more entertaining than tho "haka" given at Putaruru on the return journey to Auckland. So impressed were the officers with the Maori haka given at Ohinemutu that a dozen or so of them practised a similar "turn" under the tuition of Lieutenant Coatsworth. There was a great surprise in store for those assembled at Putaruru when the officers stepped from their carriage all "made up" for the occasion, and gave their "haka" on tho platform. One of tho officers wore a Roslyn rug for a piupiu while another was garbed in a Maori kit. Two or three hundred residents of Putaruru assembled oa tho station and Admiral Robison und Mra. Robison and Sir James Parr were among those from tho train who watched tho performance. After a mock presentation ceremony to the admiral tho "haka" was executed in picturesque style. The officers had caught the spirit of tho thing and their rhythm and enthusiasm was evidence of tho attention that they had paid to their parts. The officers state that they intend to givo the "haka" again on Friday next for the benefit of tho Arawas who will visit tho ship. Another instance of this spirit of fun was the fleet cry given at the conclusion of the Maori concert at Rotorua. For two hours the visitors sat enraptured by the_ smging and dancing of tlie Maori maidens and the hakas of the men. At tho end of the last performance the officers rose in a body and gave a spirited