HAPPY CHILDREN

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22710, 24 October 1935, Page 7

HAPPY CHILDREN

PARTY ON H.M.S., DUNEDIM ■ I ROUND OF AMUSEMENTS. Several years ago the happy thou(.flit was born among the crew of.H.M.S. Diflnedin to entertain hundreds of children 'in honour of the ship being named after city of Dunedih. Whoever was responsible for conceiving the idea must have fcieen blessed by the children of the city! i as, ever since the first entertainment of this nature, its popularity has increased ivith each visit of the Dunedin. It was. therefore, only to be expected that the annual party given yesterday on the cruiser was looked upon, by those fortunate ones (who were invited, as the principal ■(•vent of the year in their young lives. I It was unfortunate that the weather was so unfavourable —light- rain fulling throughout the afternoon —but all hough h was wet underfoot, the unpleasant conditions did not damp the spirit of the children. They arrived at the ship's side in large numbers, their faces beaming with smiles in anticipation of the fun to follow. Eight hundred invitations* were issued to children attending the Afarious schools, to orphanages, and to p trsonal friends of the Dunedin's crew. Children by the score who were not foi'tu'tiate in being included in the list of invitations watched the proceedings from outbade the wooden barriers erected on the .Rattray street wharf. These small folk, naturally enough, envied their more fortunate school mates. When the afternacjn's fun was at its peak a large number ,of men and women had joined the throne; outside the barriers. i The fun actually commenced wjien the majority of tlioss invited asserrtbled at the Town Hall at 1.30 p.m., where they were met bj* the members of Ihe Dunedin's band, who were dressed in weird SDd, in many cases, attractive costume. Cowboys, Mexicans, Red Indians, fire men, actors, and professors were- all represented by these costumes, and, off course, this scene and the antics of a party of the gaily-costumed sailors apjwaled to the tastes of the children. Si was a gay and happy contingent of. ,'children that followed the band along; lite streets tc the wharf. Here the little; folk w r ere received by members of the Dunedin's crew and piloted on board, while the band paraded to and fro within the limits of the barriers playing the popular march. " Colonel Bogey." The reason for limiting the number of invitations was to ensure that those invited would be entertained find safely looked after. It was realise cl by the ship's company that this could only be done by restricting the numbeifto a safe maximum which the facilities on board the cruiser allowed, but the i»atural desire of the Dunedin's crew w (Is to leave no one out of their invitation. The Dunedin, as on former,} occasions, was given over to the chikjiren for the afternoon, and the boys and girls made the most of the opportunity urhich comes in such form but once a j#ear. The crew had arranged many devices tor amusement. The continual popping of miniature rifles on a range constructed on the fore-deck indicated tba* the boys were in their element. The re were long slides from the high brkfcje, skittlealleys, an Aunt Sally, and otaier aAusrng diversions, and the sailors ijpent a busy afternoon attending to their small guests. On the port side of the sfvip groups of children were fascinated wi£h the diver who was lowered at intejrrals from a large punt to the bottom ojiithe harbour. At these annual parties* l one of the principal forms of amusement has been the aerial railway, and other popular items were th.e short trips ion the harbour in one of the ship's yboats. The rain yesterday spelt the ofljncellation of these two forms of amusement, and many children, no doubt, were: I disappointed. Captain M. Marchant, secretary of the party, explained that, it was not considered safe to' utilise tfie aerial railway, which extended from! a high point of the ship's bridge to tlwj; wharf, owing to the fact that the childipen were liable to slide off the seat of \ the carriage, which was very slippery as a result of the rain. The boat tripsrwere cancelled because it Was not wise /to expose the children to the damp atriiosphere.' The fun on board continued for more than three hours, and tlirn the children were piloted to Q shed, v/lhere three long rows of tables were lad»tjn with refreshments. It was necessity to have two : sittings, and here again forties of sailors and marines had a busjjj time attending to the children. Having satisfied their hunger, the little folk jaid good-bye to their hosts, and set out (for their homes, happy and contented 'suuth their afternoon's outing. The whole of the arrangements were under the charge of Captain M. Marchant, and every officer and m in on board took a hand in looking after the guests. Commodore E. R. Drummoijd, M.V.0., R.N.. and his officers moved (constantly about the ship, taking a keep interest in the proceedings and seeing (that every child was receiving full attei ttion*. The ship's company Jlesires to express grateful thanks to Jthe following:— Nestle's Milk Company, iPhcenix Companv. Cadbury Fry Hudson (for gifts of sweets), the management of the St. James Theatre, Otago A. and!'P. Society, Otago Early Settlers' Association (for seats and tablesl, Mr D. Tannrfck (for supplying greenery), Tramways Department (for supplying slides), H Krbour Board and harbour master (for Ifhe use of Q shed and supplying shipv frights), Dunedin Operatic Society (for ■ the loan of costumes), and the Headmasters' Association (for distributing (tickets among the children). i