“FRIENDLY CITY”

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27041, 28 March 1949, Page 4

“FRIENDLY CITY”

SAILORS PRAISE DUNEDIN

DELIGHTED WITH RECEPTION

Dunedin’s hospitality is rapidly becoming famous among men of the Royal New Zealand Navy. A fortnight ago sailors aboard the cruiser Bellona told a Daily Times correspondent that in Dunedin the- hospitality was “ just wonderful.” Yesterday, when a reporter visited the frigates Hawea and Kaniere at Victoria wharf, both sailors and officers were, if anything, more delighted than their Bellona contemporaries with the friendliness of Dunedin residents. An officer on the Kaniere said: “The hospitality is not merely wonderful; it is amazing. The people here go out nf their way to show us kindness, and they do everything they possibly can to make our stay a pleasant one. The invitations we receive to homes are proportionally greater in Dunedin than in any other port in the Dominion. Your city is far and away superior to the rest of New Zealand as a leave port.” Officer Steward A. F. Montague, a Londoner, and Officer Steward D. G. A. Butler, whose home is in Palmerston North, said that Dunedin was one of the best places in New Zealand to spend leave in. “ Perhaps it is because North Islanders see sailors so often that their hospitality is not so good as it is here,” they said. A rating expressed his view succinctly: “Give me Dunedin every time.” One derogatory comment was heard. It was about the weather at the weekend. On Saturday, teams from the frigates played Rugby and Soccer matches with Dunedin clubs. The Kaniere is expected to leave about 9 a.m. to-day for Greymouth. The Hawea will remain here until tomorrow. when she will go to BlufL