A SAILORS' PARTY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20959, 24 August 1931, Page 9

A SAILORS' PARTY.

THE CHILEANS AT HOME,

FESTIVE GATHERING.

DANCING ON SHIP'S DECK.

MANY GIRLS ENTERTAINED.

There was a gay scene on the Chilean training ship General Baquedano yesterday, when over 200 guests attended an At E!ome given by the petty officers and crew in return for the hospitality shown to them-on shore. The fair sex predominated:, and dancing on deck under an awning of flags was the major preoccupation of an enjoyable afternoon.

The guests were admitted by invitation, each sailor being permitted to bring his friends. The limitation of the invitation list disappointed several hundreds of people, who were turned away from the wharf gates by Harbour Board officials and who spent the remainder of a beautiful spring afternoon listening at a distance to the sounds of music and revelry.

A dance band on the foredeck dispensed lively music, and when the players stopped for breath the intervals were occupied with gramophone records, of •which the training ship has a broad selection. The guests displayed a preference for the tango, played by Argentine dance bands, as reflecting most typically tha Latin characteristics of their hosts. From conversations overheard, the girls regarded it as a rare privilege to dance with the Chilean sailors, who were, described enthusiastically as expert dancers.

"The girls of Auckland are quite good dancers," observed a young saiior, who had a working knowledge of English. "They cannot dance the tango, but they like it and learn it very quickly. May I have the pleasure of another foxtrot, senorita?" and turning to his partner he bowed graciously and swept her into the throng to the rhythm of a measure entitled "I'm Taking My Baby Back Home."

Only a handful of the dancers knew each other's language, yet there was a continuous buzz of animated conversation, for rather than adopt a policy of awkward silence guests and their hosts both found the easiest course was to talk volubly in their own language and laugh merrily at the general failure to understand each other. Considerable proficiency was gained in the universal language of' signs, and much amusement was taken in learning the correct pronunciation and intonation of common English and Spanish words.

Refreshment tables laid out under an awning on the forecastle head vera liberally patronised, and valiant endeavours were made by many of the fair partners to cope with the heavy tobaccos of the sailors' cigarettes. Smoking became less popular, however, as the afternoon advanced, and more innocuous pursuits grew in favour, such as writing autographs, wearing sailor caps and obtaining possession of brass buttons, photographic snapshots, and other tokens of admiration and esteem. The officers kept discreetly in the background, so that the function was entirely the men's party. The General Baquedano will be open for inspection by the public for the last time this afternoon. To-morrow she will get ready for sea, and a farewell dance will be given by the commander and his officers in the evening at the Peter Pan Cabaret. The ship is expected to sail at 10 a.m. on Wednesday on her return to Valparaiso.

A second party of officers yesterday for Rotorua to view the thermal wonders.