THE VISIT OF THE SQUADRON.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13206, 13 February 1905, Page 3

THE VISIT OF THE SQUADRON.

RECEPTION TO ADMIRAL I'AXSHAWH. His Excellency Admiral Fanshawo was on Saturday afternoon entertained by Mr and Mrs James Mills at tho Otago Golf Olub'a pavilion, Balmacewan, the function taking tlie form of a reception held by Mr James Mills as president of tho Golf Club. Comparatively early in tho afternoon members of the club assembled in large numbers, in many instances being accompanied by friends, whom they were privileged to invito to the recoption, but it was'well on to 3 o'clock beforo the pavilion and the grounds about it presented any unusual appearance, except for tho nicely laid out tablo in the main apartment of the pavilion and the setting out of small tables in shady nooks about tho ground. Many immediately devoted themselves to their favourite pastime, and the links were soon dotted over with parties of golfers making from one point to another. The remainder spent their timo in seeking out some spot where they could escape tho blaze of tho sun—for on such a clay as Saturday was tho sun strikes Balmacewan with great power,—and, having found such a spot, engaged in friendly chat while 'awaiting the arrival of their distinguished visitor. ].t was getting on for 4- o'clock before the Admiral arrived, in company with Captain Robinson (of H.M.B. Phoebe), Mr C. M. Luckham (who occupies tho position of secretary to Admiral Faushawe), and Colonel Robin, and there was no more formality about the proceedings after tho arrival of his Excellency than there had been before. He was simply met at tho entrance to the grounds, and warmly welcomed' by Mr Mills in a few words of greeting, and then, passing through the pavilion, took up 1 a position on the verandah, from where a splendid ..view of those still engaged in play on tho links, and of the country lying at the back of Balmacewan, could bo obtained. Mr and Mrs Mills were kept "quite busy from that out in making their illustrious guest as comfortable as possible, and in presenting to him from timo to time those whose wanderings brought them into the vicinity. In this way tho Admiral spent some hour and a-half chatting to this one and that one, at the end of which time he bade adieu to his host and hostess, and. entering the carriage in waiting, returned to town. The function, absolutely devoid of all formality as it was, passed off with great eelat. Mr Roljert-shawV band had been engaged for the occasion, and played (selections during tho afternoon. A VISIT TO THE WARSHIPS. / Tho Harbour Board kindly placed 1 the paddle steamer Koputai at the disposal of the Navy League on Saturday afternoon so that members might visit the Warships now in Otago waters. A large party, consisting of about, 150 members of the Navy League and their .friends, accordingly embarked on tho Koputai at the Rattray street wharf, and tho vessel got away shortly after 2 o'clock. The exceutivo of the league was represented by Messrs J. A. Johnstone toccretary), F. 0. Bridgcman, W. A. Moore, J' P. Woodhouse, 0. Macandrew, P. G. Prydc, 0. W. Rattray, J. Sinclair Thomson, R. Chisholm, and Captain Easther, R.N. Mr JoVn Roberts, C.M.G, (president of tho league), Mr J. H. Hosking, and! Mr James Allen, M.H.R., were all out of town, and consequently unable to bo proeent. An unfortunate mishap occurred on tho run to Port Chalmers in tho shapo of an acoidcnt to the Koputai's machinery, which prevented her going past Port Chalmors. oome delay ensued\before permission could be obtained to utifo> tho Plucky, which was lying at Port Chalmers awaiting the Admiral's return at 7 Mn., and when that »* overcome it was too late to do anything more than steam oof, to the flajfship' and back again. It was a great disappointment to tho visitors to be unable to go on board l tho Euryalus, tho as arrangements had been made by Admiral Fanshawe's direction for their entertainment. Afternoon tea had been prepared and instructions givon to show tho members of the Navy League and their friends ovcr tho flagship. As it was, however, tho.j>&rty on the Plucky had to be content with .a j view of the vessel's noble proportions from, a distance, while Messrs Johnstone, Bridge-'' man, and "Wbodhouse went aboard to explain to Commander Parker why it- was necessary to hurry back to Port Chalmers. At Pott Chalmors a number of the Dunedin visitors went on board the Challenger, and were courteously shown round the vessel.

His Excellency Admiral Fanshawe, on hearing how the day's arrangements had miscarried, expressed his'regret, and invited as many members of the Navy League as could do so to visit the flagship yesterday, but this was apparently impracticably and. ss far as we can ascertain, no members of the league were able to go. An unusually large number of people visited the warships yesterday, and the Challenger, being moored at the Port Chalmers wharf, was overrun with visitors. Those on board, however, did not seem to mind tiro influx, and cheerfully showed the visitors all over the vessel, and explained tlio working of the guns and machinery. The Moerangi and the Tarewoi also conveyed a large number to the Psyche and Phcebc, ancTOro;! in Deborah Bay, where tliev had a similar reception. This morning the members of the Harbour Board and their friends pay a visit to the squadron,