NAVAL DINNER

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23411, 29 July 1939, Page 16

NAVAL DINNER

king as guest VISIT TO GREENWICH TRIP IN ROYAL BARGE [FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT] LONDON, July 10 In - the ancient Painted Hall at Greenwich,, which was designedl _by Wren in. 1698 and completed in 1/00, the King dined at the I {oval Naval College officers' mess this week, the first time such an honour has been conferred upon the mess. The Pain ted Hall lias recently been restored by the Office of Works, and the Admiralty. The King travelled seven miles down the Thames, from Westminster to Greenwich, in the Royal barge, a 40ft. motor-launch, at an average speed of 16 knots. All tlui way down the Embankment he was: cheered by a crowd 10 deep, and thousands gathered at Green w ich to greet the Ko3 r al visitor. The beautiful ceiling of Painted Hall, completed Wo centuries ago by Sir James Thorn lull, looked down _ on a brilliant scene. 1 lie King's arrival in the Upper Hall was greeted by a roll of drums from the Royal Marines; soft lighting twinkled, on the mess silver, valued at £IO,OOO, all of which was in use. At the oak tables the guests sat on chairs made lrom timbers of pre-Trafalgar ships. There was a ceremonial entry for a baron of beef. It was carried in procession round the hall to the tune of "The Boast Beef of Old England," played by the band of the Chatham Division, Royal Marines. There were no speeches. Earl Stanhope, First Lord of the Admiralty, submitted the loyal toast, and the procedure followed was that of an ordinary guest night. After dinner the King joined* the other guests in conversation in the anterooms,"'watched'a billiards match., saw the indoors bowls alley and listened to the informal sing-song in the gunroom, organised by sub-lieuteiymts and midshipmen, which is a regular feature of the mess dinners. He listened with enjoyment to such songs as "Tipperary" and "Under the Spreading Chestnut Tree." His Majesty stayed at the college iint.il midnight, when he drove to Buckingham Palace.