CITY'S WELCOME

New Zealand Herald, Volume 80, Issue 24531, 13 March 1943, Page 8

CITY'S WELCOME

MEN OF CORVETTE MARCH IN QUEEN STREET CHEERS' FROM LARGE CROWD Auckland took to its heart yesterday the ship's company of one of the New Zealand corvettes which, iij a most gallant action at Guadalcanar, destroyed a large Japanese submarine. Never before has so small a marching party received such a warm an J virtually spontaneous reception from so large a crowd. Behind the fine military band whose members appeared to be inspired by the great occasion, came the heroes of the first of the corvettes vo make her home port —13 sections of four plus two files. The four officers marched as a section. Eager Crowd It was shortly after mid-day when they turned into Queen Street from the wharf steps. Tlio crowd on the pavements, which had been gathering tor some time instantly closed into the roadway. Pilot traffic control cars with loud-speakers operating, and police had to spread out the lines, but this movement was not adequate to keep open the way for trams. They had to stop and pleased passengers were able to wave their greetings to the suntanned men, whose faces was an expression of pleased surprise at the demonstration.

Nearly all the 52 marchers are Now Zealanders, many having trained before the war in the units of the Naval Volunteer Reserve. As usual the crowd failed to produce the great swelling roars of welcome which every individual in it wished to hear but, nevertheless, the eager smiling buoyancy of the people made the march a triumph riot in the planned style of the welcome to the men of the Achilles but one of a very warmly intimate order. Feeling of Intimacy Whatever the intention of the command of the parade, it was impossible for the officers and men to march strictly at attention. Too many people in the crowd had friends among the marchers. Now and then a civilian fell in beside the sailors for a few yards. With voices calling "Gordon" so often, Lieutenant-Commander G. Bridson, D.S.C., was compelled to acknowledge the plaudits by his quiet smile. Here and there improvised confetti was thrown. At upper windows was a large gallery of excited spectators who 111 imagination waved the palm leaf. Flags flew on top of buildings and from verandahs. Bright sunshine hathed the thoroughfare and such Was the stimulation of the occasion and the autumn breeze that the band gave itself hardly a pause all the way from the wharf to the Town Hall. Sprinkled through the crowd were many United States servicemen, who joined heartily in the welcome.