AMERICAN FLEET

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19551, 6 August 1925, Page 9

AMERICAN FLEET

AUSTRALIAN VISIT CLOSING. MR BRUCE’S FAREWELL MESSAGE. Pres* Association —By iolegraph — Copyright’ SYDNEY, August 5. (Received August 5, at 10 p.m.) The admirals of the fleet spent the day paying farewell calls. The fleet will sail at 11 instead of 9 o’clock on Thursday as was at first arranged. The Governor will wireless a farewell message just as the vessels are leaving. Mr Bruce, in a farewell message to the fleet says that on behalf of the Government and people of Australia he desires to express his utmost gratification at the result of the visit. Australians will ever treasure their association with the worthy representatives of a great country. Their admirable conduct, manliness, and friendly personality have endeared them to all citizens aiid created an impression which time will not efface. Mr Bruce concludes: “Wo feel that from this visit we ; havo forged a link which, will not break.” A seaplane from the New Mexico was flying low over the harbour when the wind and water caught one wing of the pontoons. The seaplane overturned and crashed under the water, being completely wrecked. The crew were rescued unhurt. When the American destroyer Macdonough was leaving Victoria Dock at Melbourne to take up an anchorage in the bay she collided with a coal hulk laden with 1200 tons of coal. The hulk sank in a few minutes but the destroyer was undamaged. The hulk sank less than 150 yards from the entrance of the dock, and it will take two months to raise it. If the accident had occurred at the entrance it would have prevented the departure of the fleet to-morrow. MESSAGE FROM ADMIRAL COONTZ. APPRECIATION OF HOSPITALITY. MELBOURNE, August 5. (Received August 5, at 11.10 p.m.) In a farewell message Admiral Ooontz says: “The fleet leaves Australia with the kindliest thoughts of its people and with thankful hearts for the great courtesies received. The arrangements for the handling of the fleet during the visit and the care taken have been phenomenal and the success of the visit has exceeded our fondest expectations. In all my experience I have never seen such an outpouring of friendship and kindness.” TASMANIAN DETACHMENT. HOBART, August 5. (Received August 5, at 11.10 p.m.) The American cruisers arrived in wintry weather. They were enthusiastically w elcomed. WELLINGTON ARRANGEMENTS. PREPARATIONS WELL ADVANCED. (Fbom Ode Own Corrksponzi£nt.) WELLINGTON, August 5. Preparations are well advanced in connection with the visit of the United States Navy’s ships to Wellington. The Governtnent lunonoon to the admiral and his officers will bo largely attended. The Governor-General will bo present, and will propose the toast of “The King. The Prime Minister will propose the only Other toast—that of ‘‘Our Guests”—to which the admiral will reply. Appropriate music will bo played during the luncheon. The citizens’ ball is also likely to bo a success. The number is io bo limited to 1100. There Vill bo several functions at Government House. The sports programme is being considerably curtailed at the request of the visitors. The admiral has expressed bis full appreciation of what Wellington wishes to do to entertain his officers and men, hut has pointed out that it is impossible to grant shore leave to so many of the ships’ personnel as have been invited on certain days or evenings to take part in the enjoyments ashore. For that reason also, a number of cabaret dan ora have boon deleted from the programme, and the number of officers who will be aide to attend dances on the programme has been reduced, as also have the numbers to make trips to centres outside Wellington. It had been suggested that eight should pay a visit to Masterton and 50 to Wanganui, but the number in each case has now been reduced to 25. Over 100 junior officers were to bo invited to a “The Dansante,” by the English-speaking Union, but upon the advice of tho admiral the invitations are to bo restricted to 50, and so again tho number oi officers who will bo free to accompany the admiral at the entertainment to be given by the Savage Club has been reduced from 100 to 50. The position as regards funds is considered to bo satisfactory, but it is a matter of keen disappointment to the committee that out of tho 18 local bodies which had been approached only the Foatnorston County Council had contributed £25 and the Martinborough Town Board £2 2s, while of tho 17 wholesale and retail associations which had been asked to contribute only the Hardware Merchants’ Association and the Provincial Licensed Y icfcuallers’ ciation had responded, tho first with a contribution of £25 and the second with ono of £SO. Those contributions have been very gratefully accepted.