VISIT OF FLEET

New Zealand Times, Volume LI, Issue 11785, 22 March 1924, Page 6

VISIT OF FLEET

£2OOO TO BE RAISED FOR ENTERTAINMENT IN WELLINGTON. CITIZENS’ COMMITTEE MEETS. A meeting of the Wellington Citizens’ Committee was held in the City Council Chambers last night, the Mayor (Mr R. A. Wright, M.P.) presiding, to make arrangements to fittingly welcome and entertain the British warships, H.M.S. Hood and H.M.S. Repulse. which axe to visit the port towards the end of April. Among those present were Sir John Luke, M.P., and Messrs J. Hislop (Under-Secretary for Internal Affairs), also Mr R. Darroch (secretary of the Navy League), and Messrs D. McLaren, G. Shirtcliffe, 'Stuart Wilson, and B. Keesing. The secretary (Mr N. A. Grant) re ported that the entertainment committee hqd arranged for a reception, of the warships on arrival in the harbour by members of the yacht dubs and others, for dances in the Town Hall on April 24th and 30th, and evening entertainments for the sailors from May Ist to 6th, inclusive, the approximate cost of these entertainments being estimated at £3OO. and a farewell dance to the officers on May 6th, Sir John Luke Baid that the cost of tho entertainments was likely to he considerably more than £3OO, and suggested that an appeal should be made to the citizens for funds to give the officers and men a right royal reoeption and'entertainment. On a similar occasion when Admiral Lord Jelliooe visited New Zealand he himself, as Mayor, had made such an appeal,, and it realised £llOO. On that occasion, too, they held a dance which, instead of costing anything, it realised £6OO for the Navy League.

“BIG THING FOR WELLINGTON ” Mr G. Shirtcliffe and Mr Stuart Wilson also thought that the £3OO mentioned would lie quite inadequate. Mr Shirtcliffe thoulght that £I6OO to £2OOO would Be required. Sir John Luke suggested that tho men should be entertained at lunch in tlie Town Hall. The sailors always thoroughly appreciated such hospitality. Mr Shirtcliffe said that they .wanted to entertain our visitors in a manner worthy of the city, and should reckon on an expenditure of £ISOO to £2OOO. Mr Walker remarked that Oamaru was spending £4OO on one day’s entertainment of the men.

The Mayor asked where the money was to com© from. Mr Shirtcliffe said that hie thought it was quit© right for him to 6ay that half th© amount he had indicated was already in sight, and an appeal would have to be made to the public for the talanoe. He thought that business men would realise that the visit of th© warships, with about 1000 men, and with the large number of people that would oama into the city to see them, would mean a very big thing for Wellington. Tbs report was adopted. VARIOUS SPORTS BEING ARRANGED. Mr B. Keesing (chairman of the sports committee) stated that arrangements were in progress for a sports meeting to be held in the Basin Reserve, say on the afternoon of Monday, Apr iff /28th: Rugby, “soccer,” hookey, tennis, golf, and rifle-shooting events were also being arranged. A trophy had bpem given fori a rowingrace between the crews of the two vessels; deer-stalking, pig-hunting, and fishing parties were being got up; together with, a cricket match between representatives of the Wellington Cricket Association and the orews. A tennis day, or two days, with luncheon, was being arranged for th® officers; and afternoon tea, it was suggested, might be provided for the men on the sports day at the Basin Reservo. The report was adopted without discussion. The motor transport committee reported that arrangements had been made with the Automobile Association and various oar-owners to help in every possible way—except that they rould not undertake anything in the way of taxi-work. The report was agreed to. A CHTY COUNCIL GRANT. The Mayor said that the City Council was going to do all it possibly could to help the riftizens’ committee in every way j ana for that purpose, would put at their disposal its halls and parks, and the observation-cars for two hours each day for the officers and men In addition, the council would make a substantial grant to the entertainment fund, and he believed that the Harbour Board would also do something in that way. Mr Shirtcliffe moved: “That it is desirable, that a total sum of £2OOO should he raised in order to suitably entertain the officers and men of the warships.” The Mayor supported the motion, which was carried lyEXCURSION TRAINS TO RUN. Mr Hislop said that the people of Master-ton and Palmerston North had intimated to the Government that they would le delighted to entertain the officers and men on one day apiece—probably on the Tuesday and Wednesday of the week following the arrival of the vessels —and the Government might also arrange other trips into the country for them. The Govern, ment proposed to rum excursion trains within a day’s journey of the city—probably from Palmerston North on the one side to Master-ton on the other; and the same would be done in connection with the other porta visited. An inquiry was now being made of the Education Department as to the number of children likely to take advantage of tho trip or trips if decided upon. The Government had agreed to grant £ for £ up to a total of £SO —the Navy League _ to provide the other £6O of the estimated cost—towards the luncheon to the visiting children suggested by the league. This would be applicable to all the ports visited. FLAGS AND ILLUMINATIONS.

The Government Buildings would be flagged in honour of the occasion; and Mr Hislop asked whether the city also would bo flagged and illuminated. 'lho Mayor said that the flagging of the city had been discussed, and no doubt it would be done. Mr Darrooh said that the Harbour Board bad kindly placed sheds at the disposal of the oommittee for the entertainment of the children, and would oarry out the necessary alterations for their accommodation at an estimated oast of £250; in addition, of course, to any grant the board might make. The league could find the necessary labour for the luncheon, and also he thoughtthe £SO. Mr Walker moved that the citizens be invited to illuminate, as well as display flags, in honour of the visit; and that the business men’s associations, such as the To Aro and the CourJ»pay njago Advancement ,4aßfri°tinna

be invited to co-operate in these dis plays. This was carried unanimously.

Mr J. W. Collins was appointed treasurer, all cheques to be signed by him and also by the Mayor or by Mr Shirteliffe (chairman of the finance commdtteej. ANZAC DAY. The secretary to the R.S.A. stated that it had been decided that Anzac Day services should be held on the 6ame lines as last year—a service at Courtenay place, at which the Admiral of the Fleet will be invited to give a five minutes’ address, and the two afternoon services for the next-of-kin v at the Town Hall and the Opera House respectively. BOARDING ACCOMMODATION FOR MEN. Mr Hislop said that the Admiral of the Fleet had requested the Government to supply, if possible, a list of reputable boardinghouses for the men and tiio accommodation available in the same, who might be granted leave ashore during the stay of the fleet. He had been informed that it would be very difficult to do that, as it was expected that there would be a great influx of country people into the city on the occasion. The Government, however, had been able to arrange with the Y.M.C.A. for the accommodation of 350 to 400 men in two buildings, one belonging to the Government and one to the Y.M.C.A. In Auckland reputable accommodation was being guaranteed for 600 men; in Wellington and Christchurch, 400 apiece, f in Dunedin for 200; and in Invercargill for 100. Sir John Duke said’ that on previous occasions the Hibernian, the Caledonian, and Welsh Societies had cooperated in finding accommodation -for the men, and would gladly do so again. On the motion of Mr Darrooh, it was decided to ask the headmasters of the city sohools to arrange for the children to line the foreshore on April 24th to welcome the fleet. THE FLEET'B VISIT NEW ZEALAND ITINERARY. The following is the New Zealand itinerary of the Imperial naval squadron:—> The battle-cruisers Hood and Repute® will visit Wellington' accompanied by H.M.A.S. Adelaide. H.M.S. Chatham will be in port at the time of arrival. Three light cruisers, the Delhi, Dana©, and Dragon will proceed to Lyttelton. The Admiral of the light cruiser squadron is on hoard the Delhi. The light cruisers Dunedin and Dauntless will go to Dunedin. The Dauntless, after a stay of four days, will proceed to the Bluff, joining up .with the Dunedin again and proceeding straight to Auckland. The two battle-cruisers will proceed to Gisborne, and the light cruisers to tNaipied. . Hjlja vfhole squadron will assemble in Auckland, the Dauntless and Dunedin arriving on April lltb, a day after the main body of the squadron.

WARSHIPB IN WELLINGTON THE GOVERNMENT PROGRAMME. The Government programme fortbe visit of H.M.S. Hood and H.M.S. Repiflse to Wellington is as under: Thursday, April 24th—Official colls, if the ships arrive in time. Friday, April 25th (Anzao Day)— Parade and services. Saturday, April 26th —Government luncheon to Vice-Admiral Sir Frederick Field, K. 0.8., and officers; football games, Rugby and Association, for mien; entertainment of officers by Orphans Club. Monday, April 28th—Ceremonial march through city of officers and men; Navy League ball to officers in evening; observation .cars for men. Tuesday, April 29th—Government trip to Masterton of 50 officers and 400 men; Riotary dub luncheon to officers; Wellingfcon dub dinner to Vice-Admiral and officers. Wednesday, April 30th—Government trip to Palmerston North of 50 officers and 400 men; dinner to officers by a local dub. Saturday, May 3rd—Savage duh Jo entertain officers.